Triumph Speed 400: 3 reasons to buy and 2 not to

It's been nearly two years since Bajaj launched the Triumph Speed 400 with a shockingly low price and the bike has seen steady sales since. The Speed 400 remains a unique offering when it comes to its combination of design, performance, price and desirability and here are the prime reasons why you’d want to buy one – or why it may not be for you.

1. Handsome style and high levels of finish

Clean, neo-retro roadster styling is one of the big appeals

The Speed 400 is a handsome bike with a modern take on the retro roadster format. Its design has universal appeal with a teardrop-shaped fuel tank and a round headlamp, while LED lighting all around, particularly in the smart looking tail-lamp, bring in modern touches. The Speed 400 also appeals when observed more closely. This is thanks to extra attention paid to small details like the appearance/quality of the bolts and fasteners used all around.

2. Strong performance

With its liquid-cooled 398cc engine, there’s plenty of performance on offer

The Speed 400 can achieve a sub-7 second 0-100kph time, which means that it is an enjoyably quick motorcycle. However, the more relevant aspect is that it is not an excessively peaky or high-strung engine, as you’d expect from the KTMs that share this engine displacement. The Triumph engine has a decent amount of tractability and a relatively calm demeanor, which makes it easy to live with.

3. Value for money

Strong brand value and a very tempting price

The Speed 400 wears the revered Triumph badge and it is sold out of a growing dealer network that currently stands at around 130 outlets. The company is also putting in a lot of work into brand engagement activities like curated rides, and there is a strong sense of appeal with the Triumph brand. However, the fact that this bike is available at Rs 2.46 lakh is the biggest draw as it is on par with the likes of the Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 and not a lot higher than the top RE Classic 350.

Those are the main positive points with the Triumph Speed 400 but there are a couple of reasons why you may not want to consider this bike. One of them is its lower-priced sibling.

1. The Triumph Speed T4

Speed T4 a compelling option priced Rs 45,000 lower

The Speed T4 is the lower cost version and it makes some compromises that include moving to more basic suspension, tyres and brakes. A less powerful engine could also be considered as a downgrade, especially since it drops from 40hp to 31hp. However, the Speed T4 trades the 400’s top-end performance for considerably better ridability and a more relaxed nature. This calmer demeanour works well with the Triumph’s identity and for all practical purposes, we think it's a better fit. Moreover, the Speed T4 is nearly Rs 45,000 less than the Speed 400, which is a solid saving.

2. Triumph Speed 400 size

The Speed 400 is a compact bike

The Speed 400 is not a large motorcycle and that may put off buyers who want a big-bike look and feel. The bike is quite spacious and larger riders will fit on it well enough, but the Triumph Speed 400 has a slender and compact appearance that may not be what some buyers in this space are looking for.

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