A new Triumph has been spotted during a road test, thought to be a Triumph Speed 400 RR.
The Triumph Speed Triple 1200 RR is clearly the visual basis for what is thought to be a new Speed 400 RR, with the 400 having an almost identical look to the 1200 neo-retro, cafe racer style. In the Indian press, there are references to this bike under the name “Thruxton”. The Triumph Thruxton Final Edition was announced earlier this year, which suggests that “Speed” is perhaps a more likely name, but suggestions from the Indian media should not be entirely dismissed at this stage – a “Thruxton 400” is a possibility.
Technically, the 400 is likely to be a significant departure from the specifications of the Speed Triple 1200 RR. In fact, the two are likely to be as far apart in technical terms as two bikes from the same brand and in the same range can be.
To begin with, the 400’s engine will be the same as that used in the Triumph Speed 400 and Scrambler 400, launched earlier this year, both born out of Triumph’s industrial relationship with Indian manufacturer Bajaj. On both bikes, the 398 cc single-cylinder engine produces 40 hp and 37.9 Nm. The figures for what we will continue to call the Speed 400 RR are not yet available, of course, but you can expect the results to be similar or identical.
As far as the frame is concerned, the 400 RR retains the steel double cradle frame of Triumph’s existing 400, and the suspension uses a central rear monoshock and a telescopic front fork. A single brake disc is used at the front and, a little higher up, you’ll find one of the significant differences between this bike and those that share its engine, which are the tie rods – a further reinforcement of the bike’s sportier philosophy.
Of course, as Triumph has not yet released anything official, there is no information on prices or availability, but the final look of the bike shown in the photographs suggests that its launch is only a few months away.