The Triumph Thruxton 400, with its distinctive cafe racer styling places it in a relatively niche segment of our market. In fact, its only real rival is the larger, more expensive Royal Enfield Continental GT 650. That said, the two share quite a few similarities on paper. Here’s how they stack up.
2025 Triumph Thruxton 400 vs Royal Enfield Continental GT 650: engine and output
| Engine and output | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Triumph Thruxton 400 | Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 | ||
| Engine | 398cc, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled | 648cc, twin-cylinder, air/oil-cooled | |
| Power | 42hp at 9,000 rpm | 47hp at 7,250 rpm | |
| Torque | 37.5Nm at 7,500 rpm | 52.3Nm at 5,650 rpm | |
| Gearbox | 6-speed | 6-speed | |
| Power-to-weight ratio | 229.5hp/tonne | 219.6hp/tonne | |
The GT 650 has higher peak output figures, but its higher weight results in lower power-to-weight ratio.
The Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 features a significantly larger engine and an extra cylinder over the Thruxton 400. As expected, it delivers higher peak output figures. On paper, the GT 650 makes just around 5hp more than the Thruxton, but out in the real world, the characteristics of these two engines are vastly different.
The gap in peak torque between the two is more apparent, with the RE producing 14.8Nm more, and earlier in the rev band.
However, the Triumph actually edges ahead when it comes to power-to-weight ratio, owing to the considerably higher weight that the Royal Enfield carries.
2025 Triumph Thruxton 400 vs Royal Enfield Continental GT 650: weight and dimensions
| Weight and dimensions | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Triumph Thruxton 400 | Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 | ||
| Kerb weight | 183kg | 214kg | |
| Seat height | 795mm | 793mm | |
| Ground clearance | 158mm | 174mm | |
| Fuel tank capacity | 13 litres | 12.5 litres | |
| Wheelbase | 1376mm | 1398mm | |
The Thruxton 400 is a whole 31kg lighter than the GT 650.
The Triumph Thruxton 400 has a 22mm shorter wheelbase and is a substantial 31kg lighter than the GT 650. On paper, that should make it the more agile and easier bike to ride, but we’ll have to wait until we ride both back-to-back to say for sure. While the difference in fuel tank capacity is minimal, the Royal Enfield’s larger twin-cylinder engine is likely to be more fuel-hungry, meaning the Thruxton should offer better range between fuel stops.
2025 Triumph Thruxton 400 vs Royal Enfield Continental GT 650: suspension, brakes and tyres
| Suspension, brakes and tyres | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Triumph Thruxton 400 | Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 | ||
| Suspension (F/R) | USD fork / monoshock | Telescopic fork / Twin shock absorbers | |
| Brakes (F/R) | 300mm disc / 230mm disc | 320mm disc / 240mm disc | |
| Tyres (F/R) | 110/70-R17 / 150/60-R17 | 100/90-18 / 130/70-R18 | |
The Thruxton features wider tyres at both ends.
The Thruxton 400 takes a more modern, performance-oriented approach to the cafe racer formula, featuring USD forks, a monoshock rear suspension, and sporty tyres. The GT 650, meanwhile, features a more conventional telescopic fork and twin shock setup.
Its 18-inch wheels are also period-accurate, while the Thruxton’s 17-inch wheels are a more common size that should open up a wider range of tyre options.
Lastly, while the Royal Enfield gets slightly larger brake discs, the extra weight it carries means any potential braking advantage is likely reduced when compared to the Thruxton’s smaller (but less burdened) setup.
2025 Triumph Thruxton 400 vs Royal Enfield Continental GT 650: features
Both bikes keep things relatively simple when it comes to tech and electronics, aligned with their retro cafe racer styling, but the Thruxton does edge ahead in a few areas. It features a more modern-looking instrument cluster with an analog speedometer integrated with a smaller LCD screen. The GT 650, meanwhile, features a more basic split-pod analog console. The Thruxton also features all-LED lighting, a USB charging port, ride-by-wire, traction control, and a slip-and-assist clutch.
2025 Triumph Thruxton 400 vs Royal Enfield Continental GT 650: price
| Price | ||
|---|---|---|
| Triumph Thruxton 400 | Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 | |
| Price | Rs 2.74 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi) | Rs 3.25 lakh onwards (ex-showroom, Chennai) |
The GT 650 is nearly Rs 50,000 more expensive than the Thruxton.
At Rs 2.74 lakh, the Thruxton 400 manages to undercut the Continental GT 650 by a significant margin, offering a distinct experience at a more accessible price point. What’s interesting is that, despite costing less, the Thruxton 400 actually pulls ahead of the GT 650 in several key areas — it’s lighter and brings in modern conveniences and more tech.
However, the GT 650 continues to hold a strong allure for those who value classic motorcycling character. Especially with that smooth parallel-twin engine. Prices aside, the choice will come down to whether you want a more modern, nimble motorcycle or one that’s a little more charismatic with the distinct soundtrack of a twin.
from Autocar India https://ift.tt/z12KFUV
via Auto Wheels 24