We review the little Triumph motorcycle causing a big stir.
At ACBT London we have quite a unique collection of training bikes. We don’t just settle for the usual. Training schools up and down the country generally offer pretty much the same bikes. We like to be different in every respect, in our brand image, our methodology, our outlook and also in our training bike collection. We don’t just tie in with a motorcycle dealer and take what we’re given. We value our independence and this allows us to make the right choices. We also think about you, our customer, as we want to make sure you are given the best possible tools for the job at hand. We therefore spend a lot of time curating the best collection of motorbikes for our customers to train on.
A curated motorcycle collection
The criteria is simple but extensive. The motorcycle has to be an excellent training platform. In other words, it has to be stable, maneuverable, easy to ride, simple to get familiar with. It must be versatile and suit different kinds of people so weight is also an important consideration. In fact our training motorcycles are some of the lightest across the motorcycle training world. The engine has to deliver the right power in the right way to meet the requirements of our different training courses, be it CBT (Compulsory Basic Training), PAS (Progressive Access Scheme) or DAS (Direct Access Scheme). It must also meet the DVSA’s (Driving Standards Agency) strict regulations on suitability for motorcycle tests and for the different licence categories. Finally, it has to look great. We love classic bikes and the aesthetic of the motorcycle plays an important role as one of our brand identifiers. All our motorcycles are modern but with a very pronounced nod to classic motorcycles.
With this in mind we have been searching for a replacement for our A2 training motorcycle which, up to now has been a Honda CBF500.
An utterly superb bike but now sadly ageing. It has been a terrific servant and countless of our trainees have passed their test on our beloved “Florence”. We had Florence restricted to 35Kw (47hp) and modified her so she could suit taller and shorter riders as well as giving her a classic bike style makeover.
Failing to plan is planning to fail so the search begins with research. We looked at many motorcycles, specs, we went to bike shows and sat on them, talked to manufacturers and dealers, drew up a shortlist, and then arranged test rides. Several impressed and we cross-referred them against DVSA suitability guidelines, which may be seen here.
One of the bikes that made our shortlist is the subject of this post, the Triumph Speed 400. Everything about it seemed right on paper. Great looking, light, and the right amount of power. We had been tracking the progress of the bike since it’s launch in 2024. Sometimes it’s better to hang back from a new model to wait for the initial gremlins that may appear to be sorted before jumping in from the get-go. A year later we decided to have a good look at this bike.
About Triumph
If anyone's left in the world never to have heard of Triumph motorcycles they must have been living under a rock. Triumph's story dates back to 1886 and was one of the most potent and famous of British motorcycle manufacturers based in the spiritual home of British automobile manufacture, Coventry.
Over the years some of the most famous and instantly recognisable motorcycles in the world ever, like the Bonneville, were produced by the factory until around 1983 when it finally lost the fight for survival and, like many other British manufacturers suffered a long, slow demise and went bankrupt.
The brand was purchased from the receiver by businessman John Bloor, a property developer who was attending the auction of the site of the factory for the purpose of building houses. He then resurrected the name and, as the old factory and machining equipment was outdated a new factory was built in Hinckley with the first models appearing in 1991. Since then the firm has gone from strength to strength with six manufacturing facilities around the world and combining an enviable range of modern and modern classic models with a unique heritage with masses of appeal.
The Triumph Speed 400
Triumph have been very clever with this motorcycle and, in actual fact, I would go as far as labelling it genius. They have hit the nail squarely on the head with it and credit must go to those responsible for market trends analysis because it was always going to be, and has been, an instant sales success. A manufacturer with global reach like Triumph operates within many diverse markets, all with different regulations, tastes, taxation, for example, and deciding which of those to target is a hell of a task when it comes to making decisions on production, distribution, logistics, marketing and after sales processes.
Manufacturing was set in Brazil, Thailand and India as far as I am aware. Europe, contrary to what many of us may believe, is a secondary market. I read somewhere during our research phase that in the main European markets (Spain, Italy, France, Germany and the UK) in 2024 around 1.2 million units were sold.
In India, on the other hand, in the same period, around 20.5 million units were sold. That is staggering, so to produce the Speed 400 in that country is a deliberate decision by a premium manufacturing brand. The Asian market as a whole is enormous so to have plants in India and in Thailand is a very wise choice indeed with easy access to the biggest motorcycle markets in the world.
In the UK, less than 120,000 new motorcycles were sold in that period. And don’t forget, that includes all forms of motorcycles, so the answer to the question of why a British brand is not manufactured in good old Blighty lies in the above figures. Our home market is simply pretty much insignificant. And anyone raising an eyebrow and raising the “build quality” chestnut because of where the Speed 400 is made only needs to look, feel and see. This is a quality product from a quality manufacturer in every respect and the truly inspiring thing is that they have managed to keep it at a very reasonable £5k. But the genius bit, as far as the UK is concerned, is something else.
The effect of insurance costs
You see, in the UK, and London in particular, insurance is ludicrously expensive. Many first time riders having just passed their test find that insuring what may even seem like an ordinary motorcycle can be prohibitive. As a result, may trainees passing the A (unrestricted licence) test find themselves looking at A2 bikes because the insurance premiums are more affordable. This is where the Speed 400 comes into its own and fills that niche so perfectly.
With its 398cc engine, 40bhp and 175Kg weight Triumph’s little cracker gives the owner a great price, great retro looks with modern tech, terrific handling, great acceleration but with the benefit of a reasonable insurance premium and good fuel economy. The last two are hardly exciting but, let’s face it, nowadays, very important in making that choice. Add to that 10,000 mile service intervals and this wee cracker begins to look like a very sensible purchase indeed.
All that’s great but buying a motorcycle isn’t just about pounds shillings and pence is it? It’s also about how it makes you feel, how it stirs the soul, gets the blood pumping…and all those other touchy feely elements of motorcycle ownership. As a training school, we need to ensure that first and foremost the bike works in a very specific way. If it can stir the emotions at the same time, well that’s a bonus.
Riding the Triumph Speed 400
The first thing you notice when you turn the key is the nifty looking half analogue/half digital clock as the needle cycles and a plethora of warning lights activate. Noticeable are ABS and switchable traction control. On the digital side a gear indicator, fuel gauge, trip meters, odometer and a graphic rev counter. I like the way the curve of the latter aligns with the curvature of the analogue speedometer. Not a biggie, but a nice touch, I tend to notice meaningless things like this.
The little engine fires into life easily and settles into a nice cat-like rumbly/growley tone. Not loud or intrusive, not heart stirring, but definitely pleasing in a slightly sanitised modern way. The throttle seems nice and light as does the clutch.
The switchgear operates smoothly and easily and is well laid out and easy to reach/operate on the move.
Everything about this bike appears to be well thought out and executed. Nothing feels cheap, all the components seem well put together which is great for a £5k motorcycle.
First gear engages smoothly and the bike moves off on the clutch without even having to prime the throttle. This is important for a training bike as clutch control forms a big part of the Module 1 test and a bike that produces sufficient low down torque ticks all the right boxes. We have written some articles on our blog to find out more about the Module 1 and Module 2 tests. Before setting off from Lind Triumph’s branch on the Embankment I rode a few figure eights and u-turns in the small service road at the rear of the dealership. The low weight, positive steering, and center of gravity made these exercises a cinch. Even though the road surface is terrible the suspension and surefooted handling inspires the confidence a trainee would need. Another good, solid, tick in the box.
The dealership kindly allowed me to use the bike for the whole day and the first part of my ride involved crossing London from the Embankment to our training area in the Royal Borough of Greenwich. A bike like this will invariably spend most of its life in the commuting environment slicing through heavy traffic and having to deal with London’s pathetic excuse for road surfaces. On the route through Camberwell, Peckham, New Cross and on to Greenwich I had ample time to evaluate how well this little machine would cope with life in the manic lane.
Comfort and ergonomics
The first impression of riding when emerging into traffic is just how comfortable the Speed is. I am not dainty, just under 6f tall and no flimsy lightweight. Throughout the day I found the riding position spot on. The wide flat bars are just where they need to be. The pegs and foot levers are equally well positioned and the saddle is nicely padded and supportive. The bar end mirrors are clear and vibe free and a good bonus as all our PAS/DAS training bikes have these installed for very specific reasons which will become apparent during training. At the end of the day I had no comfort issues at all and I could see myself spending a lot of time in the saddle of this very engaging motorbike.
The combination of slim profile, light weight and agility combined with the confidence inspiring brakes and tyres makes this not only an excellent every day tool but also a very capable “fun” motorcycle that comes into its own on sweeping country lanes.
After the torture of the urban carve up I had time to take the bike on a mixture of rural lanes and national speed limit roads including dual carriageways.
I found myself grinning like an imbecile after a ride in the lanes in the border regions of London and Kent. The Speed really is a superb motorcycle in all these riding environments. In fact the only time you realise that you are riding a small capacity motorcycle is during long stretches on national speed limit dual carriageways and/or motorways. At these speeds the small size does become evident in cross winds and when entering the low air pressure zones when overtaking large vehicles such as lorries.
The engine too begins to feels a little vibey but again, this is not intrusive, just something you become aware of. Triumph are also releasing a range of accessories including screens for the Speed and if owners are contemplating long motorway stints then a screen would be advisable. Having said that, I would be happy using this as a touring bike but only if riding solo. The only limitation would be the small tank size but in Europe, fuel is everywhere so not a biggie. I can only imagine just how much fun this bike would be in Scotland. I’d go as far as saying that this little gem of a motorcycle would be perfection in the gorgeous roads in the Highlands.
The verdict
In conclusion, this being Triumph’s first attempt at a small capacity motorcycle, it is staggering that they have got it so right from the off. When thinking about the review I’ve tried to look at it with two heads, that of the everyday rider and that of the training school. I have to admit Triumph have nailed it on both counts. This is a great first motorbike. It’s a great second bike. It’s a great bike for week end fun in the countryside twisties. It’s a great commuting bike. It’s a great bike to learn and train on as the gearing is just right. I just can’t find fault with it.
I also did a rough simple cost analysis looking at a zone 1,2,3 travelcard against a finance deal. The Speed comes in at around £114 per month against the Travelcard’s £156. The difference in terms of time saved travelling, fun, enjoyment, peace, tranquillity, physical health, positive mental health and the ability to continue to travel outside zone 3 without further expenditure? Priceless.
This is where the government’s obsession with “public” transport fails to hit the mark. Oh, and unlike the travelcard, the price you pay will not go up every January… and you won’t give a flying boiled jot if train drivers decide to go on strike again!
We looked at the Speed 400 compared against some of its rivals like the Royal Enfield Guerilla 450 and the Husqvarna Vitpilen 401. The former is slightly cheaper, has similar power and more tech. The latter is a bit more expensive and has a bit more power and tech. Our choice is the Speed however taking everything into account together with the long service intervals and dealer back up for a long term solution. Build quality just seems a little more just so with the Triumph, plus you can’t argue with the badge. As far as our brand identity goes you can’t get more classic British marques than AJS and Triumph. For this reason we have made the decision to bring the fantastic little motorcycle to our training bike collection and will be here for you to try soon!
Triumph Speed 400 Specifications
Engine: 398cc single cylinder 4v liquid cooled.
Power output: 40bhp (30Kw)
Fuel capacity: 13 litres
Seat height: 790mm
Weight: 170Kg
Brakes: Discs all round with ABS
Colours: Red/blue/black
Price: £5195
Other versions: Scrambler 400X (£5795)
Your opinion matters
Have you tried the Triumph Speed 400? We would be very interested to hear what you think. Feel free to leave a comment below!
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Great review enjoyed reading, thank you.