Triumph Thruxton 400cc Café Racer: India Launch Just Weeks Away
Bajaj Auto is getting ready to launch the Triumph Thruxton 400 café racer in August. This new model adds to Triumph’s growing 400cc range and aims to offer an alternative to Royal Enfield bikes in the same segment.
Café Racer Style Makes a Comeback
Café racers have become popular again in recent years. These bikes were first seen in 1960s Britain, designed for fast rides between cafés. Today, they appeal to riders who want a stylish and unique look.
Bajaj believes the Thruxton 400 could become the top-selling café racer in India, which is a bold claim for a category that has usually remained small. The timing of the launch seems aimed at urban buyers who prefer something different from standard bikes.
The Thruxton 400 gets many design cues from larger Triumph models. It features a round LED headlight, a small front fairing, bar-end mirrors, clip-on handlebars, and a raised exhaust that gives it a sporty look.
Triumph’s 400cc Lineup Expands Further
The Thruxton 400 will be the fifth model in Triumph’s 400cc range. The series began with the Speed 400 and Scrambler 400X, followed by the T4 and Scrambler 400XC.
Bajaj has built this 400cc platform to suit different styles while keeping development costs low. The same base design supports multiple models without needing major changes.
Rakesh Sharma, Executive Director at Bajaj Auto, said the Bajaj-Triumph partnership has already sold around 60,000 bikes in over 50 countries, including India. This shows the international demand for these India-made Triumph motorcycles.
Facing the Royal Enfield Giant
Royal Enfield still leads the 350-500cc bike segment with nearly 87% market share. In February 2025, Royal Enfield sold 76,470 units out of 88,296 sold in the segment.
However, experts believe there's room for other brands too. Some analysts say the segment can support two or three strong players, especially since companies earn good profits on bikes in this range.
Bajaj has kept Triumph’s pricing competitive. The Speed 400 was launched at ₹2.33 lakh, with a limited-time offer of ₹2.23 lakh for early buyers. That is only about 15% more than similar Royal Enfield models.
Production Plans Adjusted for Demand
Bajaj initially planned to produce 5,000 Triumph bikes per month, but growing demand led them to aim for 10,000 units monthly.
Rajiv Bajaj said that the Speed 400’s early sales exceeded their expectations. Around 8,000 units were sold between July and September 2023, and the company expected that number to rise to 18,000 in the next quarter.
These bikes are built at Bajaj’s Chakan factory in Maharashtra, using mostly local parts. This helps keep the cost low while maintaining good quality.
New Choices Fuel Market Growth
The popularity of Triumph’s 400cc models has helped the premium bike market grow. This segment includes bikes priced between ₹1.7 lakh and ₹3.5 lakh and has been growing at a rate of 31% every year.
Triumph says it is now the second-biggest brand in the classic motorcycle segment, just behind Royal Enfield. Between July and August 2024, Triumph sold nearly 4,000 bikes in India, while Honda and Jawa together sold around 2,000 units.
Triumph’s 400cc bikes are now sold in more than 50 countries. Top markets include Brazil, the US, and the UK. Of the 60,000 bikes sold, 35,000 went to Indian customers.
Where the Thruxton 400 Fits In
The Thruxton 400 is expected to be priced slightly above the Scrambler 400X, likely between ₹2.5 and ₹2.6 lakh. It targets riders looking for a more stylish alternative to the Speed 400 but who do not need the off-road features of the Scrambler.
Bajaj is also working on a Flat Tracker 400, which was spotted on test in Europe. It is expected to sit between the Speed T4 and Speed 400 in terms of pricing and style. This shows that Bajaj is working to cover the full range of customer needs in the 400cc segment.
Engine and Features Stay Consistent
The Thruxton 400 will use the same 399cc single-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine found in the other 400cc Triumph bikes. It produces 39.5 bhp and 37.5 Nm of torque and has already proven reliable in various conditions.
It also shares the same frame, which combines a spine and perimeter tubular steel structure. Suspension includes 43mm upside-down forks at the front and a rear monoshock. Travel is 130mm and 120mm respectively.
Modern features include LED lights, ABS, traction control, and a semi-digital display. These match or beat the equipment offered by other bikes in the same price range.
Can It Challenge Royal Enfield
The Bajaj-Triumph partnership shows how two companies can work together to offer serious competition in a space long ruled by one brand. Even Royal Enfield has said that more brands in this segment are helping grow the overall market.
Siddhartha Lal, CEO of Eicher Motors, said that when Royal Enfield began its current phase in 2010, bikes over 250cc made up less than 1% of all two-wheeler sales. Today, that number is closer to 10%.
With the Thruxton 400 launch scheduled for August, Bajaj and Triumph are hoping to attract attention during the festive season, which is usually strong for motorcycle sales. The model will be watched closely to see how it performs in terms of both sales and public response.
The premium bike segment is no longer limited to a few choices. With new partnerships and fresh designs, companies are ready to test the limits of what Indian customers want in their next motorcycle.