2024 Triumph Speed 400 review | Looks like a quality machine, rides like one too

It’s no secret that Triumph’s new 400 retro bikes have spent a long time in development, but finally the production models are here – and they certainly don’t disappoint. At £4995, the Triumph Speed 400 not only looks like a quality machine, but more importantly it rides like one too.

With a new engine and new chassis, the Speed 400 paves a new era for Triumph, who are not only hoping to sell these by the bucketload in the UK and Europe, but are hoping to break into the Asian market too, where new bike sales absolutely dwarf that of the western world. In India alone, there were almost eighteen million new bikes sold last year.

But the Speed 400 isn’t just a small capacity A2 machine built for a different market; it’s a proper Triumph, that feels like a serious motorcycle. In terms of its dimensions, feel and finish, you could easily be fooled into thinking that it’s something far grander than the price tag suggests.

That is echoed in the riding experience too, with a chassis and suspension set-up that is utterly sublime. At only 170kg wet, the Speed 400 is agile and feels Street Triple-esque in its ability to carve through corners, with an impressive level of poise and precision.

The new 398cc motor is solid too, offering a broad spread of power and torque that covers the whole rev range. However, the throttle is quite sharp, the gearing is short and it’s buzzy at high speeds – but it’s still an incredible bit of kit that will satisfy the sportiest of riders.

Equipped with LED lighting, traction control and a part LCD, part analogue dash, the Speed 400 has an ample amount of technology, especially as the interface is easy to navigate and displays the fuel gauge, gear indicator, and more. There’s also a USB-C socket on board for charging too.

Some may turn their nose up when you know that they’re built in India, Thailand, and Brazil, but don’t let that put you off. The Speed 400 truly is a stunning, well put-together bit of kit, and although it is Triumph’s first attempt at a low-capacity machine, it certainly doesn’t feel like it. The Triumph Speed 400 transcends the A2 licence category and its modest 398cc capacity to be a well performing, premium machine, and all for under £5000.

The ride quality of the Speed 400 is absolutely spot on, whether you fancy cruising or even if you fancy pushing on a little bit harder. The new chassis works perfectly in unison with the suspension, which offers an impressive level of poise and support.

It really hits the sweet spot of offering up enough support to be able to get the pegs down through tight and twisty bits, while still having a plush and smooth enough ride over rubbish tarmac without being too harsh. This is all aided by a set of Metzeler M9RR tyres, which deliver an impressive amount of grip and turn-in prowess, with a quick warm-up time too.

For lighter riders it does sit on the firmer side of the spectrum at the rear, but don’t let that put you off as the resulting agility and support of the standard set-up is more than worth it – and the preload is adjustable on the rear if you fancy a change.

The four piston brakes are absolutely incredible too, offering a huge amount of bite and feel through the lever, with ABS intervention that isn’t too aggressive.

It feels like a package that is truly premium, and far more than ‘just’ an A2 machine, with a riding position that’s roomy enough to back up the big capacity style. Although a little more compact than the Scrambler 400 X model, the Speed is comfortable and roomy enough thanks to the long seat, large tank and the well-placed bars and pegs, that allow for a multitude of different rider heights and sizes.

Yet perhaps most importantly it also has a low seat height and wet weight, which when combined with the thin chassis and engine, makes the Speed 400 nimble and easy to move or navigate at slow speeds.

For those who plan on heading out on long distance rides, the seat is a little bit stiff, but only after a few hours in the saddle.

Overall, the new single cylinder 398cc engine is a solid performer, with a level of performance that is enough to truly have fun with. From 3000rpm upwards it’s punchy in its deliver of power, with a broad spread of torque that allows the Speed 400 to happily pull in the higher gears too. Up to 70mph its plenty fast enough and eager in its delivery with a sweet soundtrack to match, which means that for fast, flowing rides the Speed’s chassis has been crafted for, that single cylinder motor works wonders.

However, being quite a feisty, fruity single-cylinder motor in its nature means that the sharp response from the ride-by-wire throttle connection is quite evident, especially in the lower gears – so much so in fact, that first gear isn’t even needed to pull away.

Although the gearbox is sweet and crisp both up and down the box, with a soft clutch action, the Speed 400 would benefit from longer gearing, as even though that motor is more than capable of cruising, it does get quite vibey at motorway speeds too, sitting at over 6000rpm at 70mph.

Although we can’t comment on the reliability just yet, with 10,000 mile (or one year) service intervals Triumph are confident in their new platform, while Bajaj have a reputation for building bulletproof machines.

In terms of the build quality, the finish on the Speed 400 is absolutely outstanding, especially when you consider the price point.

At £4995, the Speed 400 is priced well, especially considering the ride quality and level of specification.

In terms of its rivals, it could be compared to the more agricultural Royal Enfield Scram 411 which comes in at £4849, but a closer rival comes in the form of Husqvarna’s new Svartpilen and Vitpilen 401s which will set you back a bit more cash at £5599. However, they are equipped with adjustable suspension, TFT dash with Bluetooth connectivity and more power and torque too.

Another thing to consider is that the Speed 400 comes with 10,000 mile service intervals, with Triumph estimating that it will cost £1011 over three years or 15,000 miles – undercutting its rivals.

Although the Speed 400 is built to a (relatively) low price, it does come with a reasonable level of equipment. As standard you get full LED lighting, and a part LCD dash part analogue dash set-up which shows a reasonable amount of information, including a fuel gauge and gear indicator. There’s a USB-C charging port too.

In terms of riding aids there’s switchable traction control (on or off) alongside a basic level of ABS. It’s also nice to have a decent set of tyres too, in the form of Metzeler Sportec M9RR rubber.

There are over 25 official accessories as well, which covers everything from screens and longer mudguards to hard luggage.