Triumph Tracker 400 Review: Fun Everyday Dirt Tracker

Late last year in December, Triumph revealed the Tracker 400, a flat-track racer-inspired motorcycle for international markets based on its TR-Series platform. However, with India's updated GST rules, the 400cc Tracker was a no-show on our shores.

A few months ago in April, that situation changed, when Bajaj and Triumph introduced the Tracker 400 with the updated 349cc engine that allowed it to benefit from the new GST norms. We recently got to test out the new Triumph Tracker 400, and here are our thoughts after a few hours in the saddle...

Triumph Tracker 400 Review - Design & Features

The design is where the Triumph Tracker 400 truly stands out from the rest of its siblings. The Tracker 400 gets a flat, stripped-back aesthetic drawn straight from flat-track racing, built around a boxy fuel tank, a flat, elongated seat, and a snug-looking tail section that together create an authentic flat-tracker stance.

A flyscreen and number-board-style side panels reinforce the racing theme, while a colour-coded seat cowl, round LED headlamp, and Scrambler 400 X-derived exhaust round off the retro appeal. However, we feel that the mirror positioning is one area that could have been better as rear visibility takes a slight hit with the current setup (perhaps slightly wider mirrors could do the job).

At the rear, the Tracker 400 appears to share its three-quarter section with the Thruxton 400, including the simple rectangular LED tail-light and even the seat itself. Despite this shared hardware, the overall stance and detailing give the Tracker 400 a distinct, purpose-built flat-track identity.

The Triumph Tracker 400 comes with a familiar semi-digital instrument console, with an analogue dial dedicated to the speedometer and a digital section that houses the odometer, tachometer, gear position indicator, fuel gauge, side-stand warning, two trip meters, distance-to-empty readout, and time display.

Equipment is kept fairly basic though. There's no Bluetooth connectivity or ride modes on offer, and in line with the rest of the updated Triumph 350cc range, the Tracker 400 skips an immobiliser as well. On the safety front, it sticks to the essentials: non-switchable dual-channel ABS, a slip-assist clutch, and switchable traction control.

Triumph Tracker 400 Review - Engine Specs & The Other Mechanical Bits

At the heart of the Triumph Tracker 400 sits a 349cc single-cylinder motor good for 40hp and 32Nm, routed through a 6-speed transmission. This output puts it on par with the Thruxton 400's tuning, while the Speed 400 and Scrambler 400 settle for a marginally lower 37hp. Peak power also arrives later in the rev range on the Tracker, at 8,750rpm, against 8,500rpm for the other Speed and Scrambler models.

To get to this smaller displacement, Triumph left the bore untouched and instead shortened the stroke of the older 398cc unit. This change has resulted in the fact that the version of the Tracker 400 sold in India makes 2hp less than the international model.

For suspension, the Tracker relies on a USD fork up front and a monoshock at the rear, the same arrangement used across most of Triumph's small-capacity range, with the Speed T4 being the lone exception. Wheels are 17-inch units finished in a pattern not seen on any other small-capacity Triumph, wrapped in MRF REVZ FD1 rubber.

The Tracker 400 features a seat height of 805mm and weighs in at 181kg, which makes it 2kg heavier than the Speed 400.

Triumph Tracker 400 Review - Riding Impressions

The Triumph Tracker 400's 349cc engine's tune is immediately noticeable on the move. Torque delivery feels punchier in the mid-range compared to the Speed 400, making overtakes easier and lending the motorcycle a more exciting character on twisty roads.

The Tracker 400's throttle response is crisp and predictable, and the motorcycle feels eager in both the city and on the open highway. Vibrations remain minimal across the rev range. The six-speed gearbox shifts with precision, and the assist and slipper clutch keeps lever effort light in stop-go traffic. However, we do feel that a factory-fitted quickshifter would have sweetened the deal further.

The ergonomics of the Tracker 400 strike a balance between sporty and comfortable, with wide handlebars offering good leverage through corners and a seat that holds up well on longer stints. The 43mm USD front forks and preload-adjustable rear monoshock are tuned for Indian roads, soaking up potholes and rough patches while keeping the motorcycle stable at speed.

Combine the slightly tweaked riding position with the reduction in the wheelbase and a steeper rake, brought about by a change in yoke offset, and grippy MRF tyres (110/70-17 front and 150/60-17 rear) and the Tracker feels a lot more flickable and agile,compared to the Speed 400.

Braking comes from a 300mm front disc with a radial four-piston calliper and a 230mm rear disc with a single piston calliper and the setup offers strong bite and good feedback. The dual-channel ABS adds a layer of safety without feeling intrusive.

Triumph Tracker 400 Review - Verdict

The Tracker 400 has seen Triumph do a fine job of creating a motorcycle that feels like a dirt-ready flat-tracker without giving up the sweet-handling, agreeable road manners that underpin the Speed 400 it was based on. Nothing about the transformation feels drastic either; a few tweaks to the chassis and the riding position along with the tune from the Thruxton 400 have been enough to make the Triumph Tracker 400 arguably the most rideable model in the Brit marque's 400 family.

The Triumph Tracker 400 is a motorcycle that's fun, feisty, and flattering to ride, making it a great platform for riders looking to grow their skills as they get into the world of sportier motorcycles in India without ever compromising on the daily rideability. We would definitely recommend the Triumph Tracker 400 for anyone exploring the entry-level sportbike segment of the Indian motorcycle market.