What's in a NAME?

The legendary Thruxton name is back, and in a package that is one-third of what it once was ensconced in. So, is it still worthy? We seek to find out

- Story: Saeed Akhtar Photography: Sanjay Raikar

THERE'RE FEW MOTORCYCLE CLASSES WITH A history as rich and illustrious as the café racer. And within the world of café racers, there's one name that stands head and shoulders above all—the one that spawned this whole category, in fact: the Thruxton.

With a name that carries that level of heritage baggage, it's clear Triumph sees this model as more than just the fifth entry into its wildly popular 400-cc lineup. On paper, the Thruxton 400 promises a focused, rider-first experience, chasing the DNA of the legendary café racers of the 1960s rather than merely copying their looks.

The Thruxton 400's styling is deliberate, assertively retro, with nods to the café racers Triumph has built its modern classic reputation on. Its sleek half fairing, clip-ons, Monza fuel cap, bar-end mirrors, and pillion seat cowl serve purpose, but also signal that you're dealing with a bike that wants to be noticed. To be honest, it resembles the Speed Triple 1200 RR a lot more than it does the last Thruxton 1200, but that's perfectly fine as I actually prefer the cleaner, sleeker looks of the former.

Cast 17-inch wheels avoid any faux-vintage wire-spoke pretensions. They're light, practical, and shod with Apollo Alpha Hr tyres that suit both city and highway use. Don't expect gadget overload like a sport bike here. The Thruxton 400's feature set is utilitarian. Switchable traction control and ABS are included, and the existing braking hardware, with a four-piston radial calliper up front and a single-piston rear, is fundamentally solid.