Last year, Triumph hit the ball out of the park as it announced the competitive pricing for the Speed 400 as the manufacturer debuted in the highly-congested and much-competitive mid-capacity segment in India. The made-in-India Triumph 400 twins have been a huge success globally with over 60,000 units sold so far. Building on its success and in its bid to attract a wider audience in India, the company recently debuted the Speed T4 – essentially a more budget-friendly version of the Speed 400.It is based on the same platform but strips down a few features and tweaks its performance to suit what the company calls a rather ‘relaxed’ riding. We recently spent some time with the model and here, let’s take a look if it is just an affordable version or offers something more.
Triumph Speed T4: Design and build
At first glance, the Speed T4 maintains the classic Speed 400 aesthetic with its round headlight, retro lines, and minimalistic two-tone paint. While the Speed 400 has a bit more flair with its bar-end mirrors and premium look, the T4 goes for clean lines and a more simplistic look with conventional mirrors and neat-looking telescopic forks.
But don’t mistake simplicity for cheapness—the build quality is top-notch for its price. The finish, paint, and welding are all solid. Though the T4 lacks some of the higher-end touches like the USD forks found on the Speed 400, it doesn’t feel like a budget bike. Another change comes in the form of saddle cushioning and seat pattern which looks more premium on the new entrant. Besides that, there’s another highlight that makes the T4 look more premium than its older sibling. It is the inclusion of blacked-out elements such as the fork bottles, fenders, handlebar, and exhaust pipe which gives the model a more modern appeal.
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Triumph Speed T4: Suspension & handling
The telescopic forks on the Speed T4 may not be as flashy as the USD forks on the Speed 400 but they serve their purpose perfectly for city riding. They are perfectly suited for the city and smoother rides, making potholes and minor bumps feel like minor inconveniences rather than jolts. While the USD units in the Speed 400 might provide enhanced stability, rigidity, and handling during corners and off-road conditions, the T4’s suspension setup didn’t disappoint a bit. If we leave the comparison out of the picture, the suspension setup is optimal and serves its purpose of providing a relaxed ride in cities.
Compared to the Speed 400, which is more tuned for spirited riding, the T4 is noticeably more easygoing. Despite the addition of 1 kg weight, the handling is nimble, and the MRF Zapper bias-ply tyres hold their grip well enough for daily commuting, although they’re not as performance-oriented as the radial tyres on the 400.
Triumph Speed T4: Engine Performance
The 398cc single-cylinder engine in the Speed T4 may be slightly detuned compared to the Speed 400, but it’s far from sluggish. With 31 hp and 36 Nm of torque, the T4 shines in city riding. Triumph has geared it for low-end torque, meaning you get more pull at lower RPMs, making stop-and-go traffic a breeze. In fact, 85 percent of the torque is available from 2,500 rpm, so fewer gear changes are needed when you’re just cruising around town. Besides that, the engine is highly tractable and you can comfortably move at speed as low as 30 kmph without any jerks.
The real magic happens in that sweet 3,500-5,500 RPM range, which is where most of your urban riding takes place. Whether you’re weaving through traffic or making your way through tight city streets, you don’t feel the need to constantly shift gears. Thanks to the T4’s retuned engine and the higher inertia crank assembly (31% more inertia than the 400), it delivers smooth, steady power. The bike doesn’t feel like it’s begging to go faster, yet it’s quick to respond when you need that extra push.
The T4’s power delivery is smooth and linear throughout. The best we could attempt was 130 kmph on the speedometer in the sixth gear and the motorcycle didn’t break any sweat in achieving that. You can easily reach speeds above 120 kmph, but the T4 is most comfortable in the lower rev range and performs best in the 60-80 kmph zones. Overall, the throttle response is great and predictable. Another significant change that we personally appreciated is the deeper, more throatier exhaust note, which sounds noticeably better than the 400.
Triumph Speed T4: Features
Triumph has pared down some of the high-tech features on the T4, which you’d expect at this price point. There’s no traction control and ride-by-wire. However, you still get LED lighting and a semi-digital instrument cluster, which displays all the basic readouts like speed, fuel levels, and gear position. You also get a USB charging port. One thing that we continue to not appreciate in the model is its analogue speedometer and lack of features such as smartphone connectivity and navigation.
Triumph Speed T4: Verdict
The Triumph Speed T4, priced at just Rs 2.17 lakh, ex-showroom, is an ideal motorcycle for someone who wants the look and feel of a Triumph without needing all the bells and whistles. That said, the motorcycle isn’t just an affordable version of the 400 but has its own character and performance and if you plan to purchase a model for daily city commutes for a rather relaxed yet fun riding experience, the T4 should be on your list.