The Bajaj-made Triumph Scrambler 400X has been around for a couple of years now and while its sibling, the Speed 400 range has seen some updates as well as the addition of the new T4 model, there hasn’t been much for the Scrambler unit now. Bajaj’s solution to spice things up for 2025 is the new Scrambler XC. Going by the brand’s previous nomenclature on the big Scrambler 1200, the addition of the XC moniker brings the expectation of more off-road capability, but that isn’t the case here.
Triumph Scrambler 400 XC design and features - 8/10
Excel cross-spoke wheels look cool, are a little lighter than the 400 X's alloys
Instead, the new Triumph Scrambler 400 XC gets a number of additional components, but essentially no changes to the way it performs. The biggest upgrade, from both a visual and functional standpoint would be the new cross-spoked wheels. Unlike the Akront wheels on the Himalayan 450, these are Excel rims, which is no bad thing considering that Excel is widely considered one of the best in the business. They not only look great on a bike of this type, but Bajaj also tells us that they are a little lighter and collectively save around a kilo.
The reason you won’t see that weight saving on the spec sheet (in fact, it's up by five kilos to 190kg) is because there are a number of other additions made to the bike as well. All of these are available as accessories on the Scrambler 400 X and they include a colour matched flyscreen, headlamp grille, a colour-matched tall front fender, a radiator guard, sump guard and lower engine crash guard. The collective effect is handsome, more purposeful looking bike, at least to my eyes.
| Weight and dimensions | |
|---|---|
| Kerb weight | 190kg |
| Ground clearance | 195mm |
| Seat height | 835mm |
| Fuel tank capacity | 13 litres |
| Wheelbase | 1418mm |
Aside from these changes and a couple of unique colour schemes, the Scrambler 400 XC is pretty much the same when it comes to the riding experience. Theoretically, the lighter wheels should make some improvement in the agility, but it’s not a huge change and you’d have to ride both the X and XC back to back to tell if it’s really noticeable. The same goes for the extra five kgs the XC is carrying.
Triumph Scrambler 400 XC engine and performance - 8/10
Engine is smooth in the city but a little buzzy on the highway
As before, this bike’s liquid-cooled 399cc 40hp/37.5Nm engine feels smooth and punchy at lower revs and a little buzzy when the speeds cross the triple digit mark. Performance is strong and it’ll go past the indicated 160kph mark, but high speed cruising isn’t what this bike is about. Short- gearing means it’s smooth and tractable in the city, but a little buzzy at fast highway speeds. Throttle response is smooth and predictable and the Scrambler is pleasant to ride within the city.
| Engine | |
|---|---|
| Engine | 399cc, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled |
| Power | 40hp at 8,000rpm |
| Torque | 37.5Nm at 6,500rpm |
| Gearbox | 6-speed |
This city-friendly character is boosted by its 835mm seat height which isn’t great for short riders, but provides a very nice view of the road ahead. It also gives the slim Scrambler more of a comprehensive feeling compared to the compact Speed 400 which is otherwise the same size body-wise. The higher seat and more forward-set footpeg holders also result in a more relaxed knee position than on the Speed 400 and comfort is definitely a strong point here.
Triumph is giving you all of this for 26,000 rupees more than the standard Scrambler which is great value when you consider that buying just the wheels alone will set you back by Rs 70,000 at a Triumph service centre. As for existing Scrambler owners, yes you can equip your bike with these if you don’t mind the huge price, but unfortunately Bajaj says that doing so will void the warranty.
Triumph Scrambler 400 XC price and verdict - 8/10
Scrambler 400 XC is good VFM, but some areas could still be improved
While the value here is without doubt, there are some other areas that could have improved. For starters, the suspension is decently good for normal riding, but feels a little harsh when you ask too much of it either off road or at high corner speeds. However, what we really missed are better tyres and brakes. The MRF tyres used here are average at best and this bike deserves better. The same goes for the organic brake pads which result in dull brake bite and have widely been reported to have a very short life.
| Price | |
|---|---|
| Price (ex-showroom, Delhi) | Rs 2.94 lakh |
The reason these things stand out is because for just 20,000 rupees more, the updated KTM 390 Adventure X is far better equipped and offers a superior riding experience in terms of performance and capability. Then again, the KTM can’t match the Triumph’s classy appeal and if you’ve been swayed by the Scrambler’s handsome looks and all-round competence, we’d say the XC is worth the extra money.
Also See: BMW F 900 GS review: More power, less weight
