Triumph Speed 400 vs Harley-Davidson X440: Detailed Comparison

Two iconic manufacturers in the sub-400cc segment have raised the bar in the last few years when it comes to performance on a budget. The Harley-Davidson X440 is a cruiser-like roadster, while the Triumph Speed 400 is the sportier roadster. But which one is best suited for you? Let’s find out:

Price & Variants

• The Triumph Speed 400 is clearly the more affordable motorcycle here, priced at Rs 2,31,891, while the Harley-Davidson X440 sits higher at Rs 2,54,900 (both prices ex-showroom, Delhi). That’s a noticeable price gap of over Rs 20,000, which becomes significant for buyers who are conscious about their budget.

• Triumph’s aggressive pricing will appeal to value-conscious buyers who still want a slightly premium brand experience.

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Dimensions & Design

• The biggest difference here is the weight. The Triumph Speed 400 is significantly lighter than the Harley-Davidson X440 S. This will directly affect how easy and agile the bike feels to handle in city traffic and while cornering.

• The X440 S, being heavier, should feel more planted on highways and offer a stronger road presence.

• The X440 also offers slightly higher ground clearance, which makes it more suitable for Indian road conditions.

• In terms of design, both bikes follow a neo-retro theme. The X440 has more of a cruiser-inspired  design with a muscular road presence. 

• The Triumph Speed 400 is more compact and looks more like a sporty roadster.

• The Harley-Davidson X440’s colour schemes enhance its classic styling, and you can explore them in detail in our dedicated colour breakdown.

• The Triumph Speed 400, on the other hand, offers dual-tone paint schemes such as Racing Yellow with Pearl Metallic White and Phantom Black with Pewter Grey. These combinations give the bike a more premium and modern visual appeal, making it stand out more on the road.

Underpinnings

• Both motorcycles come with an inverted fork setup, which is expected in this segment and ensures good front-end feedback.

• However, the key difference lies in the rear suspension. The X440 has a twin shock absorber setup, while the Speed 400 has a monoshock.

• A monoshock typically offers better handling and stability, especially at higher speeds and during aggressive riding. This should give the Triumph an advantage in spirited riding situations.

• In terms of braking, both bikes get front and rear disc brakes with dual-channel ABS.

• The Harley-Davidson X440 has a bigger front wheel, which should make it more stable on straight roads as well as on gravel surfaces.

Features

• The Harley-Davidson X440 S clearly focuses more on connectivity and modern features. It gets a TFT display with Bluetooth connectivity for call/SMS alerts and turn-by-turn navigation.

• The Triumph Speed 400, on the other hand, keeps things simpler. It has a semi-digital instrument console with an analogue speedometer and a digital inset that shows gear position, fuel gauge, trip meters, distance to empty, and a digital tachometer.

• The Triumph Speed 400 has an important safety feature: switchable traction control, and this increases the bike’s safety quotient.

Performance

• The Triumph Speed 400 produces significantly more power than the Harley-Davidson X440 S. This makes it the faster motorcycle, especially at higher speeds and during aggressive riding.

• The Harley-Davidson X440, however, produces slightly more torque at lower RPMs. This means it will be easier to ride at low speeds in the city.

• The key difference in engine character between the two bikes is that the Speed 400 is more high-revving and performance-focused while the X440 has more low-end torque and is suitable for relaxed riding.

Verdict

The Triumph Speed 400 is the more performance-oriented motorcycle. It offers much more power, sportier handling characteristics, lighter weight and better agility and traction control for added safety. It is ideal for riders who want a sporty motorcycle that is fun to ride both in the city and on highways.

The Harley-Davidson X440 S focuses on a different experience. It offers strong low-end torque, better ground clearance, better features like a TFT display and navigation and a bigger road presence. It is better suited for riders who prefer a relaxed riding style and want a more commanding feel on the road.

Other Rivals

The Triumph Speed 400 is more affordable and offers strong pull at lower speeds, while the Guerrilla 450 feels more powerful and delivers a sharper, more performance-focused ride.

The Harley-Davidson X440 is ideal for having fun in the city and during occasional highway rides whereas the Scrambler 400X is built to handle both city roads and off-road trails with ease.

The TVS Apache RTR 310 brings an exciting streetfighter experience with a long list of features, while the Triumph Speed 400 focuses on a more relaxed and easy riding style.

The Bajaj Dominar 400 offers better touring capabilities on a more affordable price tag but the Harley-Davidson offers strong brand appeal and a strong road presence.