Triumph Speed 400: Should You Buy One?

The Triumph Speed 400 is going to change the market. It’s going to bring quality levels up, drive prices down, and riders can finally see the motorcycle they’ve always been wishing for. If you believe all of that, I think you’ve been slightly misled.

Not all of that is going to happen. The Speed 400 is certainly a great option for anyone looking for a 300-400cc motorcycle, but the automatic all-conquering hero? Let me explain.

Two Sides to the Story

The more I rode the Speed 400, the more I saw two sides to its story. It’s a good story, but not without plot holes:

Where refinement is great, performance is okay
Where performance is great, refinement is okay

The issue is that it’s called the “Speed”—and that’s exactly what it struggles with. On the other hand, if all you want is an easy-to-ride city bike that makes you happy, you’ll discover a likable, beautifully made motorcycle.

Design: International Quality

The Triumph looks international—super high quality. Looks are its most impressive aspect:

Modern lines with delicately retro flavor
Classic silhouette with great attention to detail
Rounded tank and minimalist tail
Golden USD forks and all-LED illumination

The size caveat: Despite looking proportionate, the Triumph might be a little too compact for India. It doesn’t feel substantial, and many will be surprised when they see it for the first time. It’s not automatically uncomfortable, but it does diminish your sense of having bought a largish, expensive motorcycle.

City Performance: Where It Shines

In the city, you’ll really enjoy riding the Triumph:

Aspect	Performance
Low-rev flexibility	Excellent—ready to go in any gear
Overtaking	Dead easy
Commuting style	Low revs, high gear, decent speeds
Fuel economy	Mid-20s (thrashing) to low-30s (normal)

The gearbox is nice, though the first-to-second change can feel reluctant. The biggest annoyance is the throttle jerk from closed to open—it stops the Triumph from flowing smoothly at crawling speeds.

Highway: The Vibration Issue

Out on the highway, the Speed 400 makes a decent tourer, but with limitations:

Compact size means limited space for two-up touring
Vibration appears from 4,500 RPM in your heels
By 6,000 RPM, you can no longer ignore it
Gearing allows cruising at 105-110 before vibration interferes

Here’s the catch: if you don’t rev it out, you won’t encounter the vibration often. But if you don’t rev it out, you won’t encounter the 40 bhp often either.

Revving the Speed 400 for its horsepower can be done—top speed is 160+ km/h—but it borders on unpleasant. The engine sounds strained and a little trashy when pushed hard.

Comfort and Handling

Seat: Initially feels like the foam squishes away, but a 200km stint proved it decent with only minor aches.

Suspension: This is where the Speed 400 truly excels in the city. It absorbs all kinds of roads really well. At highway speeds, the same setup can make it feel bouncy—not deeply uncomfortable, but there’s room for refinement.

Corners: Fun! The Apollo H1s are excellent, the tire profile is aggressive, and it drops to lean angles rapidly. New riders will need a moment to adjust, then discover an accurate, light, and predictable motorcycle.

Living With It

Factor	Details
Service interval	16,000 km (impressive)
Service frequency	Still once a year
Warranty	2 years unlimited (battery/exhaust: 1 year)
Annual service cost	Less than ₹5,000 expected

The New Rider Perspective

If you’re a new rider moving up the ladder, the Speed 400 will feel lovely:

High-quality product
Service just once a year
Within your growing ability and appetite

What’s less clear is the longer-term view. An easy, friendly motorcycle is useful for a new rider, but a year down the line, those same qualities might make it feel… dull.

Risk Factors to Consider

Triumph-Bajaj is a new partnership. This is a brand-new motorcycle built in a brand-new factory. The dealerships and service setup are new. It’s not bad—there are just more variables than usual.

If you prefer to play it safe: Wait a few months. Any issues should surface and hopefully get fixed. By then, the risk of buying a Speed 400 will be much lower.

Will It Change the Market?

Will the Speed 400 force others to lower prices? Prices only go up. What I’m hoping for is that Triumph forces the competition to look at their quality and raise the bar.

The Verdict

Buy it if:

You want a beautifully made, easy-to-ride city bike
You value quality and refinement over raw performance
You’re comfortable with a compact motorcycle
You can live with highway vibration at higher revs

Skip it if:

You expect aggressive “Speed” performance
You frequently ride at highway speeds above 110 km/h
You want a larger, more substantial-feeling machine
You’re not comfortable with early-adopter risk

The Speed 400 is a competent motorcycle and a great start for Triumph’s adventure with Bajaj. Many will really like it. But is it the all-conquering British hero riding in on a white steed? It is not.