autoX Awards 2023: Triumph Speed 400 Performance, Quality and Value for Money Ranked

autoX Awards 2023: They say, ‘The only certainty is that nothing is certain.’ But honestly, the Triumph Speed 400 bagging the ‘Best of 2023’ accolade was kind of certain, a foregone conclusion. The day it was launched in the country, we already knew that Triumph had a winning product in their hands. So, it didn’t quite come as a shock or surprise to see the Speed 400 top the charts in our mega test.

From its pricing and positioning in the market, to its quality and performance, Triumph and its Indian partner, Bajaj, left no stone unturned to make it a blockbuster hit. It was clear from the word go that Triumph was here to do serious business with its entry-level roadster, which is why they went all guns blazing the moment the wraps came off the motorcycle. The first shocker was its pricing – at ₹2.25 lakh (ex-showroom, introductory), it was really a steal! And while the introductory offer is gone, and it has now become dearer by ₹10,000, it still is one heck of a value-for-money proposition. Triumph absolutely nailed the pricing of the Speed 400, and without a doubt, it’s one of the most crucial factors that catapulted it to the top of the score sheet.

What makes the Triumph truly irresistible, however, is not just the tempting price tag but also the fact that it exceeds all the expectations for a made-in-India Triumph. Both partners have cut no corners here  – be it the paint quality, fit-and-finish, attention to detail, or essence of the Triumph brand, the Speed 400 embodies everything as it’s expected to be. Its design mimics bigger Triumph modern classics, such as the Speed Twin 900, and there’s virtually no bad angle to it – it’s perfectly proportionate.

Also Read: Triumph Speed 400 Review: It's a Triumph For All!

And it isn’t shabby to ride either. In fact, it’s an extraordinary motorcycle for Indian road conditions. Its newly developed 398cc 4-valve single-cylinder engine offers enough oomph – it produces 39.5bhp and 37.5Nm of torque, which, thanks to its beautifully calibrated ride-by-wire throttle, results in snappy acceleration and squeaky-clean tractability. The engine loves to be revved, although it does feel a bit buzzy in the mid-range – 4,000rpm to 7,000rpm. Is that a deal breaker? Absolutely not!

On the road, the Triumph offers a fine balance – its setup is such that it feels confident enough to go sniffing apexes, but at the same time, it’s not overly firm or bumpy over potholes during your daily commute. After riding it on the track, Simran claimed that it felt more or less complete for the motorcycle of its kind – he only wished for a stronger bite from the brakes.

Overall, we can’t think of many motorcycles that have come to the Indian market and taken it by storm the very next minute like the Triumph Speed 400. It is a motorcycle that’s more or less perfect in all aspects. And in places where it’s not-so-perfect, well, you have its price tag to do the talking. What else can you get for that kind of money, honestly? Don’t be so difficult to please!

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