2026 Triumph Speed 400 Review

Triumph UK loaned me the Speed 400 when it first came out in 2024 when I led the Tring Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride and I was quite taken with the bike then. You can check out my YouTube video to see what thoughts are on the bike, link below.

I had the honour of leading the Tring Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride in May this year and Triumph loaned me the Speed 400 again and I can tell you, I am still taken with this bike.

Here’s a few specs for you:

• Weight: 170 kg
• Seat height: 790 mm 
• 395.15 cc Liquid-cooled, 4 valve, DOHC, single-cylinder
• Power: 40 PS / 39.5 bhp (29.4 kW) @ 8,000 rpm
• Torque: 37.5 Nm @ 6,500 rpm
• 6 speed
• Analogue speedometer with integrated multi-function LCD screen
• 13L fuel tank
• Metzeler M9RR tyres: Front: 110/70 R17; Rear: 150/60 R17
• Front suspension: 43mm upside down Big Piston forks. 140mm wheel travel
• Rear suspension: Gas monoshock RSU with external reservoir and pre-load adjustment. 130mm wheel travel
• Front brakes: 300mm fixed disc, four-piston radial caliper, ABS
• Rear brakes: 230mm fixed disc, floating caliper, ABS
• Exhaust: Stainless twin-skin header system with stainless steel silencer
• Four colour options: Pearl Metallic White and Phantom Black; Lava Red Gloss / Storm Grey; Caspian Blue / Storm Grey and Phantom Black / Storm Grey
• Price: from £5,345

Engine

The Speed 400 has a 395.15 cc liquid-cooled, 4 valve, DOHC, single-cylinder engine, pushing out 40 PS / 39.5 bhp (29.4 kW) @ 8,000 rpm of power and 37.5 Nm @ 6,500 rpm of torque, giving you 39.5 bhp. 

Now you might think a bike with just under 40 bhp is going to be lacking in power and fun factor but I can assure you, this bike is sooooo much fun to ride. Don’t let 39.5 bhp deter you, it’s not shy to do an overtake or two.

Chassis

The Speed 400 has a tubular steel frame with a bolt-on steel subframe and a cast aluminium swingarm. The relatively short wheelbase and steep rake angle offers quick steering and agile cornering. 

The Speed 400 feels like a sporty bike to ride, it’s light and nimble through the corners and feels solid and stable.

On the front are 43mm upside-down big piston forks with 140mm of wheel travel and to the rear is gas monoshock RSU with an external reservoir and adjustable preload, with 130mm of wheel travel.

The front brakes are ByBre 300mm fixed disc paired with a four-piston radial caliper and the rear are 230mm fixed disc with a floating caliper.

Ride by Wire Throttle & Modes

The Speed 400 features a Bosch ride-by-wire throttle system, so instead of having a throttle cable connected to butterflies in the inlet, it will all be controlled by electronics and the twist grip just sends an electronic signal to the ECU. According to Triumph, this offers a more intuitive level of control while liquid cooling reduces emissions and offers greater fuel efficiency.

Because the ECU manages the throttle electronically, the Speed 400 is equipped with standard Traction Control. This can be easily switched on or off via the dashboard depending on your riding preference.

Though it is an electronic throttle, the bike also features a mechanical slip-and-assist clutch that keeps the lever pull light, making it easier in heavy stop-and-go traffic.

The Speed 400 does not feature riding modes (like Rain or Sport). The bike is designed for a raw, straightforward riding experience where you simply turn the key and go, which is exactly what I think is so good about this bike.

Instrument Display

The instrument display combines a large analogue speedometer with a multi-functional LCD screen showing everything you need to see like your speed, RPM, what gear you are in, fuel gauge and fuel range, odometer and the time.

You navigate the screen options via a scroll button on the left handlebar and this can be done whilst riding along too. There is also a USB-C charging port near the handlebar so you can power your devices whilst riding along.

Tyres

The tyres on the Speed 400 are Metzeler Sportec M9 RR which Metzeler describes as ‘the first Supersport tyre featuring high-silica and full-silica compounds for both front and rear sizes.

The innovative chord technology allows more room for structural rubber that enhances the dynamic performance without affecting carcass overall stiffness.

The directional centre grooves maximise the grip to deliver flawless feedback when cornering. The slick shoulders enhance riding confidence when at full lean’.

I had both rain and sunshine when I had the Speed 400 on loan so was able to experience the tyres in both wet and dry conditions. Even riding home from bike night in the pouring rain, I did find these tyres were sticking to the road well and they did offer me the confidence I crave from a tyre.

LED Lights

There are LED lights all round on the Speed 400 with a single round headlight with the Triumph ‘T’ logo in the middle of the lamp which has a daytime running light feature.

The rear light is modern and stylish also with the Triumph branding and the indicators are of slim design. All the lighting offers great visibility for both the rider and other road users.

What’s The Triumph Speed 400 Like To Ride, I hear you say?

This bike is so much fun to ride 🤩

I have the Speed Twin 1200 and I would say the Speed 400 is a lower, lighter version of the 1200. Obviously, as you would expect, the Speed 400 has a lot less power than the 1200, but you still know it’s a Speed by the way it handles and feels.

What I like about the Speed 400 is that there are no modes, no need to study the handbook for two hours to ‘set the bike up’, you just get on the bike and ride.

I found myself going anywhere and everywhere on this bike, I really loved how the bike made me feel when riding and I found I always came back with a grin on my face.

I really couldn’t get enough of riding the Speed 400, it’s such a light, nippy bike and definitely not shy about doing an overtake or two, drop it a gear and it’ll happily go.

The Speed 400 felt really stable in the corners and I found myself actually enjoying cornering, especially flowing bends. The bike, the road and I were at one together.

The brakes are responsive, which is always a good thing! I did find there was a lot of engine braking so just lifting off the throttle scrubs off some speed.

There would be some modifications that I would have to do:

• Firstly, a tail tidy. The rear end is just crying out for one, but then so are most new bikes!
• A small screen would finish the front end nicely and also cut down on the wind buffeting that I experienced when overtaking.
• A louder exhaust. Okay, a much louder exhaust, the oem one is just wayyyy too quiet for my liking.
• Heated grips but that’s probably just personal preference.
• Michelin Road 6 tyres. I personally love these tyres and have them on my bikes. I believe they offer a much better all year round riding experience.

I can definitely recommend you get a test ride on the Speed 400, I think you will be as surprised as I was by how good it is. If you do, let me know in the comments below what you think of the bike and if you bought one, I’d be interested to hear how you are finding it.

Thank you to Triumph UK for the loan of the Speed 400, I was sad to see this bike go back.

BK

Here’s a link to my 2024 Speed 400 YouTube review:

https://youtu.be/NlfacxvbuEk?si=Ewyd-bOc74q143Sz