2026 Triumph Thruxton 400: Ridden and Reviewed

Every so often a bike surprises you before you've even turned a wheel. I swung a leg over the new Triumph Thruxton 400 expecting a tidy little entry level classic, and got a proper flashback to the Thruxton 1200 I used to own. Same intent, same attitude, just shrunk down and made a whole lot more accessible. It's also fully A2 licence compliant straight out of the box, which makes it one of the most tempting stepping stone bikes out there right now. That's a good place to start.

First impressions: it looks the part

Triumph have absolutely nailed the styling. From the front especially, this is a café racer through and through. The low bars, the round headlight, the tank, the stance all pull together. It doesn't look like a budget bike wearing a classic costume. It looks and feels like the real thing, and that matters when you're buying something you want to be seen on as much as ride.

Sit on it and the premium feel carries through. The finish, the controls, the way it's put together all punch well above the price tag. For a bike positioned at the entry end of the range, it genuinely feels a class above.

The engine: familiar, but sharpened

Underneath sits Triumph's 398cc liquid cooled single, the same solid unit doing the rounds in the Speed 400 and Scrambler 400, but here it's been given a sportier tune. It's not a placebo either. Peak power is up around 5% to roughly 41bhp, with the delivery pushed higher up the rev range to suit the café racer character.

In the real world it's exactly what you want from a bike like this. It's smooth, willing, and eager to be revved. It's never going to pin you to the seat, and this isn't a fast bike and doesn't pretend to be, but it's got enough about it to keep you grinning. It's the kind of engine that rewards you for riding it properly rather than just twisting and going.

Brakes and tyres: the surprise package

The brakes are sharp and confidence inspiring, with strong initial bite and easy to modulate, exactly what a lightweight sportster should have.

But the real headline is the rubber. Pirelli Diablo Rosso IV tyres, as standard, on a bike at this price? That's genuinely rare at this end of the market. Sticky, sporty tyres like these are the sort of thing you'd normally fit yourself as an upgrade, so having them from the factory tells you Triumph are serious about how this thing handles. It's a proper statement of intent.

Out on the road: that geometry

Here's where the flashback really kicked in. The geometry gives it that committed, front end loaded café racer feel. You're leaning into it, weight forward, and it turns in eagerly. It's fun in the corners, genuinely fun, and it flatters you when the road gets twisty.

That said, it's worth being honest. The riding position is on the aggressive side. For some riders, particularly newer ones, or anyone after a relaxed all day cruiser, it might feel like a lot, especially given this isn't a bike with the outright pace to justify a full on race crouch. You're committing to the café racer look and feel whether you're chasing corners or just nipping to the shops.

The flip side is the seat height. At 795mm it's low and manageable, which makes getting a foot down easy and takes a lot of the intimidation out of it. So while the geometry leans sporty, the ergonomics keep it approachable. It's a nice balance that opens the bike up to riders who might otherwise be put off by a café racer.

So, a sporty looking café racer with a small engine. Good idea?

It's a fair question to sit with. On paper there's a slight tension. You've got a bike styled and set up to look fast, wrapped around an engine that's friendly rather than ferocious.

But spend time on it and it makes complete sense. Not everyone wants, or should have, big power under them, especially early in their riding. What most people actually want is a bike that looks fantastic, feels special, handles sweetly and doesn't cost the earth to run or insure. The Thruxton 400 delivers all of that. The modest engine isn't a compromise here. It's the point. You get the style and the smiles without the bike constantly writing cheques your experience can't cash.

A2 licence friendly: a smart stepping stone

One of the Thruxton 400's biggest strengths doesn't show up in the styling or the spec sheet. It's fully A2 licence compliant. With around 41bhp it sits comfortably under the A2 power limit, and crucially it does so without needing a restrictor kit fitted, so you get the bike exactly as it's meant to be with no strings attached.

That makes it a genuinely clever choice if you're on an A2 licence and want something you can enjoy now and keep enjoying. A lot of A2 legal bikes are restricted versions of bigger machines that feel a bit compromised, or basic learner bikes you'll outgrow in a season. The Thruxton 400 is neither. It's a complete, well sorted bike in its own right that happens to fit neatly within the rules. And when you do progress to your full licence, it's got enough character to be a bike you keep rather than immediately trade up from.

The verdict

The Thruxton 400 is a genuinely impressive bit of kit. It looks the part, feels premium, stops brilliantly, corners with real character and comes with kit, those Pirellis especially, that shames bikes costing a lot more. The aggressive geometry won't suit everyone, and it's no rocket ship, but neither of those things is really a criticism once you understand what it's for. This is a beautiful, accessible café racer that's more about the ride and the look than the numbers, and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that.

If you've just got your licence and want your first proper bike to be one you're genuinely proud of, this should be right at the top of your list.

Thinking about getting on two wheels? Your first step is your CBT. Find a course near you and book online. Everything included, flexible cancellation, and instructors rated by real riders across the UK.