Triumph Speed 400 2026 — Specifications

The Triumph 400 Speed has made a very successful entry. Not only does it rank in the top 50 sales in France (a market rather fond of mid-size and large displacement motorcycles), but it is also the third-best-selling model from the manufacturer. Its price positioning, qualities, and styling are proving popular.

Look at that adorable face! For its foray into the 400 cm3 segment, Triumph hasn't missed a beat. The new Speed 400 retains the styling cues of the 660 Trident with a touch of softness added. It’s a beautiful design tending towards cute, because it’s essential to make a good impression when entering a segment... and especially when you have a premium image to defend. Whether it’s a 400 cc or 2,500 cc engine, a Triumph must exude a feeling of unwavering value. The mini-Speed is committed to delivering that.

There was the Speed Four; within the range, the Speed Triple dynasty continues its career; here, there’s no “Speed One” or “Speed Simple” name as this single-cylinder machine might have eventually been called. It’s simply “Speed,” with the displacement as its given name. At Hinckley, they kept it simple. This allows it to fit within the Speed Twin 900 and Speed Twin 1200 range, and to occupy its own place in the very trendy neo-retro segment. Then the design team created, designed, conceptualized, and patterned a new family of motorcycles. Before sending the plans to India.

To allow its partner Bajaj, one of the largest two-wheeled vehicle manufacturers in the country, to handle its production. The group already manufactures Kawasaki and KTM motorcycles. The Speed will also be manufactured in Brazil and Thailand. The neighbor in Vietnam is already responsible for the majority of the British models. But with Bajaj’s collaboration, Triumph benefits from production costs and, above all, opens up the enormous Indian market.

But not only that. Because if Asian markets are fond of small displacement engines, this 400 could spark desires in other regions. See all the touches that the English manufacturer presents to please with its styling and its face: end-mounted handlebars, a reservoir with worked shapes, beautiful small platforms to hold the headlight, an inverted and anodized fork, machined fins on the cylinder block, a radiator mounted vertically to preserve the fineness of the whole, bi-tone colors, the triangular shape of the right-hand engine casing, a few nicely designed covers, a rear light in a fruity curve! The presentations are full of courtesy. As usual, the finish should be of a very good standard.

The Speed 400 (and its Scrambler X cousin) introduces a completely new engine. This 398 cm3 single-cylinder engine is called TR, in homage to the TR5, TR6, and TR7 Trophy lineage models (that was a long time ago). Motorcycles that offered great moments and beautiful victories in off-road racing. But let’s return to this engine, with its square dimensions of 89 mm by 64 mm. As its appearance suggests, it is a modern design. Its internals contain a double overhead camshaft, 4 valves with DLC coating and actuated by bucket tappets, injection, liquid cooling, an anti-dribble assisted clutch, and a 6-speed gearbox. Note the unusual positioning of the chain drive, on the right side. Engine specialists are extracting 40 horsepower at 8,000 rpm and a nice torque of 3.9 kgm at 6,500 rpm. Clearly, Triumph didn’t want to make it the most powerful in the sector, surely to round out its character. The Z 400, 390 Duke, and MT-03 extract a little more power, but at higher RPMs. The Speed 400 is natively A2 compatible, and should carry its riders along at a good pace without being muscular.

Before settling onto a relatively low seat at 790 mm, the rider will have taken care to discover a rather rigid frame for the category. The 43 mm inverted fork is a Showa piston fork; the rear frame of the motorcycle is bolted; the swingarm is made of aluminum; the brake hoses are aviation type; the front brake caliper is a radial type with 4 pistons; the tires are not local but are much higher quality with Metzeler Sportec M9RR – all of this is flattering. As one might expect, given the level of range, the suspensions are not adjustable - except for the rear damper preload. The 17-inch wheels have a brake disc each, 300 mm at the front and 230 mm at the rear. With its 170 kg, the 400 Speed is in the upper middle of the category but remains very reasonable.

A little aluminum, a little more steel, and a dose of silicon. Triumph couldn’t neglect its little princess on the electronics front. All its lighting is LED, the headlight has a daytime signature, its throttle is Ride-by-Wire, a USB-C port is included, ABS is present, as well as a switchable traction control system. The instrumentation is small but complete, with a small portion of the display for the engine speed, a spoonful of digital for the on-board information, and the essential reading thanks to a needle to appreciate the speed. English style, the tachometer prioritizes Miles per hour (MPH).

Triumph is expanding its offer downwards... But not cheapening it with this 400 Speed. This small displacement roadster intends to eat into the category’s share while bringing a “so British” quality image. England dreams again of the East, with a Baby Speed as an ambassador.

M.B - Photos constructeur