Triumph Speed 400

Triumph’s first-ever small capacity roadster Speed 400 has an identical design & outlook to the bigger Speed Twin 900. It is positioned in the modern classic family of roadsters by Triumph. Hence, the overall design feels retro as well as modern. At the front, it features a round LED headlight which has been fitted in the middle of two golden USD forks. The sculpted fuel tank & the off-set fuel filler cap makes the aesthetic design more pleasing. Additionally, the graphics and colour combination on the fuel tank makes the Speed 400 even more classy to look at. At the rear end, it gets a tubular grab handlebar with a unique C-shaped LED taillight. The long rear mudguard embeds the LED indicators; which have a great quality. The overall fit & finish along with the quality of construction is the best in its segment.

Speaking of the dimensions, the Speed 400 is not a very big bike. Its overall size feels a bit constrained, especially when compared to its rivals like the KTM 390 Duke. However, a walkaround of it does produce an idea that it is a no small bike either. While the length of it is still not revealed, it does feel manageable. Additionally, the 814mm of width does make it appear bigger than its actual size. Meanwhile, the seat height is set at 790mm which makes it easier to accommodate short riders with height of around 5’4. It gets a 13-lt fuel tank capacity which translates into a good long-distance riding range. Also, with 176kg of kerb weight, it is the lightest bike in its segment.

The Speed 400 is an easy bike. It is designed for city use and it is a no brainer machine for the experienced riders. With its big 398.15cc, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine; it makes a peak power of 39.5bhp & 37.5Nm of peak toque. However, this power is mated to a 6-speed transmission and a slipper clutch helps in fluent delivery of this power too. The clutch action of it is super light and the throw is also minimal. Once the clutch is released, the Speed 400 shows its true potential. Its peak torque is made at 6,500 rpm which means the powerband is set at the mid-range. Hence, there is ample amount of action in the bottom-end and the mid-range of the engine. However, it feels strained out towards the redline but there are no vibrations, whatsoever. Meanwhile, the 6-speed transmission is not just slick but also very user-friendly. It doesn’t stuck and there are no false neutrals taking place while upshifting or downshifting. The Speed 400 can easily achieve triple digit speeds and it can cruise all day long between 90-110 kmph because that’s where its sweet spot is. If ridden sedately, the Speed 400 can deliver upwards of 35 kmpl easily in mixed riding conditions. The best part of this engine is its class-leading service interval of 16,000 km.

The Speed 400 comes equipped with decent features. It gets full LED lights including the turn indicators. Additionally, the speedometer console on it is a semi-digital unit. This has a digital display for the tachometer and it also displays other vital information like the instantaneous fuel economy, tripmeter, etc. Apart from this, it gets a type-C USB phone charging port embedded onto the right side of the speedometer console. On the hardware front, it gets 17-inch alloy wheels and Apollo tyres on both ends. These tyres provide superb grip on dry surface. However, the bike needs to be ridden slow on the wet surfaces. But, the fat rear tyre helps in attaining confidence even on high-speeds as well. The front suspension is a 43mm USD unit while the rear is a gas-charged, preload adjustable monoshock. Speaking of the braking, it comes with a 300mm front disc brake and a 230mm rear disc brake. Also, there is a standard dual-channel ABS as well to increase its safety.