Triumph Speed 400 vs Speed T4: Which Variant To Buy?

Triumph Motorcycles pulled a rabbit out of the hat by unveiling the new Speed T4. The new motorcycle is positioned as an entry-level offering in the British brand’s portfolio at ₹2.17 lakh, it’s the most affordable Triumph bike on sale. However, on the sidelines, the 2024 Triumph Speed 400 was also launched with a few updates at a sticker price of ​​₹2.40 lakh. So if you were planning to buy an entry-level Triumph bike, which Speed variant makes more sense? Let’s find out.

Performance

The biggest difference between the Triumph Speed duo is in the performance department. The Speed 400 continues to employ the same 398.15 cc, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine delivering 39.5 bhp and 37.5 Nm, paired to a 6-speed gearbox with a slip-and-assist clutch. The Speed T4 on the other hand produces 30.6 bhp and 36 Nm from the same power plant. As you can see, the drop in power is significant but according to Triumph officials, the engine retuning was done based on customer feedback. 

The Speed T4 offers more torque which is made lower in the rev range, thereby making the bike more tractable and easier to ride at commuting speeds. The impact can be seen on top speed too as the Speed T4 tops out at 135 kmph, while the Speed 400 manages 145 kmph. The other big difference is that the new Triumph bike misses out on a traction control system and ride-by-wire tech. The Speed 400 offers a more thrilling ride and will be more engaging as well. On the other hand, the Speed T4 makes better sense for a rider focused on daily commutes and better fuel efficiency. 

Underpinnings

The frame and rear suspension on both the Speed duo is the same however, the Speed T4 employs a telescopic fork instead of the USD unit as seen on the Speed 400. The other big difference is tyres, the Speed T4 opts for affordable MRF rubber whereas the Speed 400 now comes shod with Vredestein Centuro tyres. These two updates will have an impact on the handling dynamics as the USD fork makes the front end feel more settled whereas grippier tyres will offer more confidence to the rider. Braking hardware too is different as the Triumph Speed T4 opts for a axial front brake caliper to keep cost under check. 

Our pick

The Triumph Speed T4 makes sense for a buyer upgrading from 150-200cc bikes as the performance jump will be gradual and it wouldn’t intimidate the rider. With a pricing of ₹2.17 lakh (ex-showroom), the new Triumph motorcycle is very competitively priced too thereby making the Triumph brand more accessible to the masses. While the engine tune will make it easier to ride in the city, hardware changes especially on tyres and brakes remain a concern. Our pick will still be the new updated Triumph Speed 400 as it offers thrilling performance, should be more fun to ride and the price gap between the two variants isn’t very significant.