2025 Triumph Scrambler 400 X First Ride Review: City Commuter or Highway Cruiser?

First Ride Impressions in the Rain

• 🌧️ The reviewer took the 2025 Triumph Scrambler 400X out for its first ride in heavy rain, providing a comprehensive review despite the challenging weather.
• 💡 The bike is described as light and punchy, with some unique quirks that become apparent after a full day of riding.

Ergonomics and Riding Position

• 🧍 The reviewer, standing at 5'10" with a 32" inseam, found the Scrambler 400X to have a comfortable, upright body position with a large, cushioned seat.
• 🦶 Feet have easy access to the ground, making it ideal for city cruising with frequent stops and starts.
• 🛣️ While comfortable for city riding, the reviewer expressed curiosity about its highway performance due to the lack of wind protection and cruise control.

Engine and Performance

• ⚙️ Powered by a 398cc single-cylinder engine, producing just over 39 horsepower and approximately 27.5 lb-ft of torque.
• 💨 Despite modest power numbers, the engine offers punchy low-end torque, making it ample and fun for city riding and maneuvering through traffic.
• 🚦 The bike requires frequent shifting, even in city settings, contributing to an engaged riding experience.

Highway and Suspension Performance

• 💨 On the highway, the Scrambler 400X surprisingly handled wind well, with vibrations being less severe than expected for a single-cylinder bike.
• ⚖️ While not tracking perfectly, it offers enough power to reach speeds above 80 mph, making it capable for commutes up to 1.5-2 hours.
• 🛠️ The suspension is noted as being on the softer side, which is acceptable for a $5,800 motorcycle intended for mixed use, including light off-road capability.

Controls, Dash, and Brakes

• 🕹️ Controls are described as functional but cost-effective, reflecting the bike's price point, with an adjustable clutch lever but a non-adjustable brake lever.
• 📊 The dash features a mix of an old-school needle speedometer and a digital display showing gear position, ABS, traction control, and fuel gauge.
• 🛑 Brakes are equipped with Vibram components and perform adequately but lack the strong initial bite and feel of higher-end setups.

Overall Verdict and Chase Score

• 🏆 The 2025 Triumph Scrambler 400X received a total Chase Score of 54/100, with scores of 5/5 for throttle response, 6/6 for agility, 5/5 for brakes, 5/5 for acceleration, 5/5 for suspension, 6/6 for comfort, 4/4 for tech, 6/6 for ease of use, 6/6 for versatility, and 6/6 for fun for the money.
• 👍 The reviewer favors the Scrambler 400X over the Speed 400 for its comfortable body position, deeming it a fantastic city bike and a solid all-purpose option for the lower CC class.