NGC - Triumph Scrambler 400X

[Brand X]

I think Triumph has a winner there..KTM has been using  Bajaj on it's smaller 390 single  for years..My friend has been selling the snot out of the Triumph models.. Many older people find the machines perfect for the last go around..Lot of quality high end bikes are being traded in on the new little Triumph. I could not see spending that kind of money Over $7000 out the door for a SC 400.. I went a different route, and found a good option for 1/2 that price on another made in India unit.. Perfect for the gravel roads around here.. Really smooth in the 55 to 62 MPH range.. 72 to 75 mpg out in the mountains here..It does over 200 miles on it's 3 gal tank. did that yesterday.It has a bunch of options on it, and have some C-bow mounts on the way.. I have the Pelican boxes setup from a different bike I have.. 2500 miles on this 2019.. I do like I can use the Motoscan option to reset the service light, and about everything else in the software.. Really cheap, and good too.. Something not Possible on the 390 duke I had..A lot of people add a 17 sprocket on the front, but I think it would be too much for the little TVS/BMW designed 313 cc mill. I could see one or possibly two teeth less in the rear as the best option. Just to get the smoothest ride at 65 MPH..It's pretty good pulling steep hills at 70 mph as it is..



 

[bronzestar1]

Rode the bike to work this morning, first time since installing the 15T front sprocket.  Made a noticeable difference, bike feels a little more "relaxed" when going thru the gears, not as high-strung as before, extends the shift points which is nice.  Great $20 investment for sure on this bike!  Last thing I'm waiting on is a lowered one-piece seat that's coming from India (they have a pretty strong aftermarket for this bike).  The OEM seat is just a tad too tall for me, so I know it'll be tall for my daughter as well.  Hopefully, this new seat will lower it enough to where it won't be an issue like it is now.   

[SIR REAL ED]

Excellent thread.  It is good to see some manufacturers focusing on smaller bikes.  Too few riders realize the joy of a small, light, well handling bike.

To date, I have not noticed any advertising resembling the "You meet the nicest people on a Honda!" theme of the 1960's or the 1970's.

[matt franklin]

I don't think the cross bar is there to protect anything.  Rather, it serves to keep the side bar from caving in from a side impact.  I think "up" is correct.

[bronzestar1]

I don't think the cross bar is there to protect anything.  Rather, it serves to keep the side bar from caving in from a side impact.  I think "up" is correct.

Ah, good point, didn't think about that...

[bronzestar1]

Removed the handguards, just wasn't aesthetically pleasing to me, and this bike will never be offroad to where I'd need them anyway.  Next will be changing the mirrors...

Before:




After (hand guards removed, with high fender kit and engine guards installed):

[DoubleGuzzi]

^ Should've bought a Speed 400! The lower height would give your daughter more confidence too.
 

[bronzestar1]

^ Should've bought a Speed 400! The lower height would give your daughter more confidence too.
 

That's a good point!  By the time I'm done modding this Scrambler, I'm probably going to end up with something pretty close to a Speed 400!  I don't think the dealer where I got this bike had any other 400s left besides this Scrambler, that's why it was discounted to $4900.  I'll have to check and see if the bar-end mirrors from a Speed 400 will be a direct bolt-on fit for the Scrambler.  I'm hoping to have the lowered seat in the next week or two, and also have a slash-cut exhaust "tip" on order as well.  I'll have to do a "before and after" sound video of the exhaust change.   

[DoubleGuzzi]

Cheap "lowering" is actually a spring preload reducer a.k.a. rear shock retainer. Fitted to the Speedy, it doesn't reduce the unloaded static height but does make getting a foothold easier. Along with dropping the forks, handling seems none the worse.



online safety pics

Next cheapest option is a shortened shock by EMC, though shipping (sic) from France to USA, plus import duties will push the price up. These aren't listed on the USA site (from a quick look): https://emcshocks.com/en/16-triumph

https://emc-suspensions.fr/en/240-rx-1984/40-294-mt46-shock-absorber.html#/14-color-blue/29-options-shock_absorber_solo
Saddle height : -48mm/-1.89"

[bronzestar1]

Found a set of mirrors that didn't rise as much as the OEM ones.  Figured for $30 I couldn't go wrong.  Note to self:  right side mirror mount is reverse thread.  At least now the XL Tourmaster bike cover I'm using can actually cover the front wheel. 

[DoubleGuzzi]

Found a set of mirrors ..

Subliminal message:- remarkably similar shape to many MG mirrors. ;-)

[Dr. Enzo Toma]

The original 14-tooth has the rubber bushing on both sides, the 15-tooth doesn't, not sure if it makes a difference or not. 

It is all metal under that rubber and the rubber is there to reduce noise from the chain. Aftermarket sprockets leave it out to keep costs down, and because they're not being noise tested.

[bronzestar1]

It is all metal under that rubber and the rubber is there to reduce noise from the chain. Aftermarket sprockets leave it out to keep costs down, and because they're not being noise tested.

Yeah, I've figured out that functionally, having the rubber bushing doesn't make a difference in how the sprocket actually works.  But had I paid attention to the fact that the OEM sprocket had a rubber bushing, I would've gotten a 15T one with a rubber bushing as well, since they're the same price. 

[bronzestar1]

Replaced the OEM two-piece seat with a lower single seat (from India).  The difference is noticeable, I can put more of my feet on the ground than before.  Only downside is the new seat fits VERY snug, I can't get it off!  I'll figure something out in order to get the seat off.  Once that's done, I'll see if I can adjust the latch so it's not as snug. 

[egschade]

Excellent thread.  It is good to see some manufacturers focusing on smaller bikes.  Too few riders realize the joy of a small, light, well handling bike.

To date, I have not noticed any advertising resembling the "You meet the nicest people on a Honda!" theme of the 1960's or the 1970's.

I wish Guzzi would come out with a new V50. I'm moving to a smaller bike and the 400x is on the short list. Waiting for the Aprilia 457 ADV model but suspect it will be substantially more expensive than the Triumph.

[SIR REAL ED]

I wish Guzzi would come out with a new V50. I'm moving to a smaller bike and the 400x is on the short list. Waiting for the Aprilia 457 ADV model but suspect it will be substantially more expensive than the Triumph.

I suspect that Moto Guzzi has done enough market research to know they are trapped by their fanbase just like Harley Davidson.

The purists/true believers of both brands won't tolerate much deviation from existing designs or the new models won't be "REAL!" Harleys or Moto Guzzis in their eyes!

New designs are not cheap, and redesigning either brand would not produce much of a weight or cost savings.

Perhaps with the younger generation that thinks "retro" is cool, they can ignite a spark.

[SIR REAL ED]

Rode the bike to work this morning, first time since installing the 15T front sprocket.  Made a noticeable difference, bike feels a little more "relaxed" when going thru the gears, not as high-strung as before, extends the shift points which is nice.  Great $20 investment for sure on this bike!  Last thing I'm waiting on is a lowered one-piece seat that's coming from India (they have a pretty strong aftermarket for this bike).  The OEM seat is just a tad too tall for me, so I know it'll be tall for my daughter as well.  Hopefully, this new seat will lower it enough to where it won't be an issue like it is now.   

Are you sure this is your daughter's bike?

I'm getting suspicious.....

[DoubleGuzzi]

I wish Guzzi would come out with a new V50.

A V50 was/is initially the MG I had in mind before the Breva/Shine sagas. A V65 would've been a contender but I want to keep below 600cc - lower Vehicle Excise Duty (Road Tax in the UK).
A V55/V60 would be ideal I reckon, especially if it got close to the weight & dimensions of the V50. A modern day V50 with the benefits of fuel injection etc.

[SIR REAL ED]

A V50 was/is initially the MG I had in mind before the Breva/Shine sagas. A V65 would've been a contender but I want to keep below 600cc - lower Vehicle Excise Duty (Road Tax in the UK).
A V55/V60 would be ideal I reckon, especially if it got close to the weight & dimensions of the V50. A modern day V50 with the benefits of fuel injection etc.

That would be a very interesting bike indeed!

I knew about the UK horsepower restrictions, did not know about the displacement equivalents.

[DoubleGuzzi]

I knew about the UK horsepower restrictions, did not know about the displacement equivalents.

Horsepower (power to weight ratio) is to do with license restrictions not annual duty for the privilege of using the road system. Our nine year old diesel car costs nothing for road tax yet my Breva will be due £122 at the end of the month. 

[bronzestar1]

Are you sure this is your daughter's bike?  I'm getting suspicious.....

Yup (cough), it's her bike alright (wink)...

The last thing I have to put on the bike is a slash-cut tip to replace the mufler, then it'll be all hers (cough).  She's yet to ride the bike, but with the lower seat, I think she'll be much more comfortable on it now.  Yup, that's my story, and I'm sticking to it!

[DoubleGuzzi]

Here's what a livingroom table and kitchen bread knife can do..
Trimming the sides (and a wee bit on the top) of a Speed 400 seat. 



I find the sides dig into my thighs a little, with feet down. Not that I take this bike for a spin often! 

[bronzestar1]

Added the British Customs slash-cut exhaust tip today (very simple to do), along with my personal plate:

[DoubleGuzzi]

***  WARNING ***
This may/may not affect the 400X.
Following some reports on a Triumph forum, I dragged the Speed out of the garage to check something..
Some bikes are experiencing breaks in the outer sheath at the headstock area. There are some people seeing stress whitening of the sheath - a precursor to a split - where the sheath has folds, in particular.
I began by adding a spiral plastic wrap to reinforce the single large bundle on the right hand side. Not ideal but should help a little. I then looked to doing a couple of the bundles, on the awkward left-hand side.
Then I spotted it..
Further forward than I expected, a sheath has opened up near to where it is clamped to the headlamp bracket. This is not good on a 1100 miles bike! Time to have a word or three with the 'local' Triumph dealer.
See pic for some clarity (it's in a tight spot and is actually worse than in the pic).




uploaded links

[bronzestar1]

"...Then I spotted it...Further forward than I expected, a sheath has opened up near to where it is clamped to the headlamp bracket. This is not good on a 1100 miles bike! Time to have a word or three with the 'local' Triumph dealer.  See pic for some clarity (it's in a tight spot and is actually worse than in the pic)."

Good catch, I'll have to look at this area next time I'm down in NC, which is where the 400X calls home now...