For the Easy Life

Triumph India believe there is a market for a friendlier version of the Speed 400. Here is what you should know about that version, called the Speed T4

- Joshua Varghese

THE TRIUMPH SPEED 400 WAS ACCORDED A WARM welcome when it was launched in India. What was not to like about an accessible motorcycle from a premium brand that was good to look at and great to ride?

Turns out there were people who wanted a friendlier version of that motorcycle. Simply put, they were willing to sacrifice some speed for a leisurely pace and more comfort. Of course, a lower price tag is always welcome. That is the space the Triumph Speed T4 aims to fill. To make the difference between the Speed T4 and the Speed 400 clear, we will draw several comparisons between them throughout this road test.

The quality of material and overall fit-and-finish are identical for both motorcycles but some changes have been made to the exterior to set the T4 apart; such as three unique colours. It also gets stem-mounted mirrors which we feel are better suited to our conditions. Like many motorcyclists, we also admired the Speed 400's brushed metal finish for the exhaust system. Predictably, we are not fans of the blackedout treatment for the lower half of the T4. It feels like some of the timeless elegance is missing.

Once astride the T4, the changes may not be as evident but a closer look will reveal that the handlebar is a steel unit, not an aluminium one. The contour of the rider's seat has been revised to make it more accessible to short riders. Furthermore, additional padding for the pillion seat has improved overall comfort.