New Triumph Scrambler 400 XC: Ready For Off-Road
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Triumph is expanding its 400 lineup again with a new model that should be particularly welcome in the Canadian market. The new Triumph Scrambler 400 XC is ruggedized for riding off-pavement, with minimal but important updates that make it more capable off the beaten path.
The biggest upgrade is a set of new spoked aluminum rims from Excel. The wheels are built to run tubeless tires that will handle the bumps and bangs of off-roading much better than the cast rims on the standard Scrambler 400 X.
There’s still a 19-inch front, 17-inch rear wheelset on the bike, not a trail-riding optimized 21-18 setup. However, considering the suspension is the same basic setup as the standard X with 150mm of travel front and rear, and the Metzeler Karoo Street tires, this isn’t a hard-core dual sport, so the new wheels will be fine.
There’s a new flyscreen on this machine, new handguards and a higher-mounted front fender that won’t get packed with mud when you leave the pavement behind. Triumph gave the bike an aluminum skid plate with minimal coverage, but it’s still a welcome accessory when you’re in the dirt.
A wire headlight grille gives the bike some extra protection while adding a retro look that’s very much in-tune with the machine’s overall aesthetic. The 400 XC has the same high-quality paint and trim that the rest of the made-in-India 400 lineup has, and buyers are given the choice of Racing Yellow, Vanilla White or Storm Grey paint.
As for the engine, you get the liquid-cooled single-cylinder DOHC powerplant that the X model uses. Triumph claims it will deliver just under 40 hp at 8,000 rpm, and 27.7 pound-feet of torque at 6,500 rpm. That’s enough for back roads and highway speeds, but many riders will want more muscle if they’re going to travel long miles.
Switchable traction control helps keep your machine in a straight line. The ability to turn traction system off when you’re off-pavement is always welcome, as is the switchable ABS system. The front wheel always has antilock braking enabled, but you can let the rear wheel lock up in the dirt if you want.
MSRP for the Triumph Scrambler 400 XC starts at $8,195 in Canada. For more details, see Triumph’s website.
