Triumph Speed 400 (2023-2025)

Triumph has hiked the prices of all of its 400cc bikes in India.

The Triumph Speed 400 has made waves in the Indian market not just for being a Triumph, but for the performance and build quality it offers at an aggressive price point. It was the first product to be launched from a joint venture between Bajaj and Triumph and is positioned as a neo-retro roadster. It takes cues from the larger Speed Twin models and mixes timeless British charm with everyday usability. I managed to spend approximately a month with the motorcycle and got a chance to extensively test its capabilities in different conditions to bring you a detailed review. 

Triumph Speed 400: Design 

The bike sports a round LED headlight at the front and a well-finished, 13-litre, metal fuel tank. Towards the rear, the bike gets a single-piece seat that tapers upwards for the pillion. Completing the look at the rear end is a sleek LED taillight unit that has been really nicely integrated under the edge of the seat. The exhaust unit is proportionately designed and looks really premium. 

In my opinion, the Triumph Speed 400 nails the neo-retro aesthetic. Attention has been paid to every detail and stuff like the golden colour inverted forks, bar-end mirrors, and machined footpegs add to its premium appeal. Despite being a compact motorcycle, it has good road presence - especially because of some of the bright colour schemes on offer. 

Originally, there were three paint schemes: Carnival Red, Phantom Black, and Caspian Blue. Triumph later updated the colour options and for 2025, there are now four dual-tone colour options to choose from. They include Racing Yellow/Pearl Metallic White, Phantom Black/Pewter Grey, Pearl Metallic White/Pewter Grey, and Racing Red/Pearl Metallic White. Additionally, Triumph also offers customization for an additional cost, giving customers a fully-custom tank colour based on their preference.

Triumph Speed 400: Build Quality

Where the Speed 400 really shines is build quality. It is ahead of most Indian-made bikes in the segment. The paint quality is really good, the metal components feel solid, and there’s a distinct premium look and feel in how everything has been put together. The switchgear quality feels robust and most of the wiring has been tucked away neatly. I feel that for a motorcycle priced so competitively, the overall build quality and fit-and-finish levels are highly impressive.

Triumph Speed 400: Convenience Features 

The Speed 400 keeps things simple yet functional. The instrument console includes an analogue speedometer with a digital inset displaying gear position, fuel gauge, trip meters, distance to empty, and a digital tachometer. There’s no fancy TFT screen or Bluetooth connectivity, but the display is crisp, offering essential information at a glance and fairly easy to read even under sunlight. The only issue I have is the digital tachometer as it is not easy to read and an analogue one would have just increased the overall retro aesthetic. You get all-LED lighting - including the headlamp, indicators, and taillamp, and a USB Type-C charging port. For riders looking at essentials over gimmicks, this feature set is more than adequate.

Triumph Speed 400: Safety Features 

While it is a simple motorcycle it does get important safety features like dual-channel ABS and switchable traction control.

Triumph Speed 400: Rider Comfort 

The riding ergonomics of the Speed 400 hit a sweet spot between commuter-friendly and sporty. The seat height of 803mm is accessible to shorter riders while the handlebar is wide and slightly upright, offering a commanding riding position.

The footpegs are mildly rear-set, which gives a sporty feel without being too aggressive. The seat is well-padded and supportive. You could easily spend a couple of hours in the saddle without complaints. Heat management is good too where no excessive warmth reaches your thighs or knees. Triumph has done a great job of ensuring that both beginners and experienced riders feel at home on this bike. Larger riders should keep in mind that they might find the bike a little too compact for their liking.

Triumph Speed 400: Pillion Comfort 

The pillion comfort is surprisingly decent for a bike of this class. The seat is wide and well-cushioned, though grab handles are minimal. It is fine for short city commutes and occasional weekend rides, but not ideal for regular highway touring with a pillion. Some buyers may opt for aftermarket backrests or Triumph’s own accessories to enhance pillion friendliness.

Triumph Speed 400: Handling 

At the front end, you get 43-mm, golden colour inverted forks and an offset monoshock unit at the rear supplied by Endurance. This suspension has been set up in such a way that the Speed 400 glides through undulations, speed breakers, and broken roads in a plush manner. This setup paired with the well-padded seat makes it a really comfortable motorcycle to cruise on for hours on end. Through a set of corners is where the bike impressed me the most. It flows sharply into corners and you have the confidence to really push and get lower because of its planted nature. 

Triumph Speed 400: Tyres

The good cornering abilities were also thanks to the MRF Steel Brace tyres that our test unit was equipped with. These are W rated tyres that are quite sticky and properly compliment the abilities of the Speed 400. Customers will either get these MRF tyres or Apollo tyres depending on the availability of the tyres and which dealership the bike is purchased from. I did also get a short spin astride a unit fitted with the Apollo tyres and I can confirm that the performance is on par. The tyres held up in the wet too; all that is needed from a rider is smooth inputs to the throttle and they have traction control watching out for them as well. Throughout my ride, the traction control did not kick in and cut power unnecessarily so it is nice to see that it has been tuned according to Indian road conditions. For 2025, the stock tyres have been updated to Vredesteins but I have yet to ride the new model to bring you an update on how they perform. Going from what I know about Vredestein tyres, they offer good grip and should be as good or even better than the last model.

Triumph Speed 400: Brakes 

Braking equipment includes a 300mm disc at the front and a 230mm disc brake at the rear with dual-channel ABS. In the city, this setup works really well and what I did appreciate is the calibration of the ABS. It kicks in smoothly and gets the bike to stop really well, even in the wet, and that gave me a lot of confidence braking hard. The Speed 400 gets sintered front brake pads which surely help with braking feedback opposed to the Scrambler 400X that comes with organic brake pads as standard.

Triumph Speed 400: Ride Quality 

The bike strikes a great balance between comfort and sporty feedback. It’s not plush like a cruiser, but it absorbs small bumps and potholes without feeling jarring. At higher speeds, the suspension firms up nicely, providing good composure over undulations and bad roads. So overall, it is sporty without being harsh and that makes it ideal for Indian road conditions.

Triumph Speed 400: Verdict 

The Speed 400 is a great package when you consider the extremely competitive price of Rs 2.46 lakh (ex-showroom) that it is being offered at. It proves to be a superb motorcycle for everyday use in the city and with the claimed 29kmpl mileage, it will appeal to many customers in our market. In my opinion, the Speed 400 is the most gorgeous bike in its segment and also one of the most fun to ride. With the do-it-all character of the bike, Triumph surely has a winning product on its hands.

The Speed Twin 1200 has been one of my favourite motorcycles ever since I got a chance to swing my leg over one. What I appreciated about it the most is how it appears to be a pretty motorcycle ready to cruise peacefully on the highway, but get astride it, open the throttle and you realize that it has a menacing engine ready for all kinds of hooliganism. It is nice to see that the single-cylinder Speed 400 is a similar story and stays true to the name of the Speed models from Triumph. 

Triumph Speed 400: Price

Priced at Rs 2.46 lakh (ex-showroom), the Speed 400 is really good value for money considering the levels of performance and build quality that it offers.

Triumph Speed 400: Competition 

The Speed 400 goes up against bikes like the Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450, Hero Mavrick 440 and the Harley-Davidson X440. The Guerrilla has a more punchy engine but it is not as refined as the Speed 400 and the handling of the Speed 400 is the sportiest among these four. The Mavrick and the X440 on the other hand share the same platform. They have a really torquey engine but the riding ergonomics are more cruiser than roadster.