A tracker is essentially a motorcycle inspired by flat track race bikes that are designed to go sideways at ludicrous speeds on an oval dirt track. The Triumph Tracker 400 has some design elements to match that description, but that is where the association ends.
Look beyond the chunky tyres, wider fuel tank (still 13 litres) and flat-track-inspired number board along the sides, and you will discover that instead of having any real ‘dirt-inspired’ underpinnings, this bike is actually based on the most sporty of all the Indian-made Triumphs, the Thruxton 400. That not only applies to the engine’s higher state of tune, but also to the suspension setup and even the sharper 24.5-degree steering rake angle. But you don’t need to study a data sheet to realise that this is actually a sporty roadster above all else.
Triumph Tracker 400 comfort and riding position – 7/10
All you have to do is sit on the bike, and you’ll immediately realise that this is a sporty, leaned-forward riding position. Triumph has achieved this by using a new aluminium handlebar that is 5.2 inches lower than the Speed 400 and nearly an inch wider. The footpegs have also been moved up by just over an inch and back by around 3 inches. These are not small changes, and they create a much more connected riding position while stopping just short of being uncomfortable over longer durations.
Seat height is at a reasonable 805mm, which is similar to the Speed 400. While tall riders will fit on the bike well, a few shorter riders we spoke to said they found some discomfort in how the edges of the tank interact with the inner thighs.
Triumph Tracker 400 engine and performance – 7/10
Like all the Triumph models in India, this bike also uses the new downsized 349cc engine, but in the more powerful Thruxton state of tune, with 40hp and 32Nm. It still lacks some low- and mid-range shove, and you will need to rev it out for quick overtakes, but there’s no doubt that this is a quick motorcycle, and it should clock low 6 second times in the 0-100kph run. While there is more power up top than on the Speed and Scrambler 400 that make 37hp, there is also noticeably more vibration above 8,000rpm. The gear ratios are spread out well, and a cruising speed of 100kph in 6th gear is easy to hold with the buzz only setting in above 110.
Triumph Tracker 400 handling, ride comfort and brakes – 8/10
Despite wearing chunky, off-road-styled MRF Revz AT-03 tyres, the Tracker remains a capable and entertaining handler at heart. The tyres find good grip in dry conditions, and there is plenty of lean-angle clearance available, so you won’t be scraping pegs too easily. Nevertheless, the bike would have been even nicer to ride with more appropriate road tyres.
Even so, the Thruxton suspension tune works well here, and while this is a firm setup, it also has a nice amount of pliability to it. This combination enables a good sense of control at high speeds, but also allows the bike to soak up rough roads without a fuss. Thankfully, despite its vague off-road image, the Tracker does not get the sub-par organic pads the Triumph insists on installing in the Scrambler. Instead, it gets the same sintered pads as the Speed and Thruxton, and they work well enough.
Triumph Tracker 400 price and conclusion – 8/10
The rest of the bike is familiar with the same semi-digital display and feature set as the other Triumph models, including switchable traction control. With its unique cast aluminium headlamp mount, flyscreen and bigger looking tank, the bike grabs attention, although the tail section with its tail-lamp lifted from the Thruxton does look a little unremarkable.
Priced at Rs 2.46 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), the Tracker 400 is positioned neatly in the middle of the single-cylinder Triumph line-up. While it is quite a muddled bike in terms of its identity, it is clear that this bike is good fun to ride. Moreover, it manages that while offering more comfort and practicality than its cafe racer sibling, and that just about earns it a deserved place in the Triumph line-up.
Autocar India Team 
Azaman Chothia
Dinshaw Magol
