Triumph Speed ​​T4 first drive impression: Just an affordable Speed ​​400 or more? | Parami News

Triumph Speed ​​T4 first riding impressions

last year, victory Hit the ball out of the park when it announced competitive pricing Speed ​​400 Debut as a manufacturer in a highly crowded and competitive market Medium capacity segment in India. The Indian-made Triumph 400 twin has been a huge success globally with over 60,000 units sold so far. Building on its success, and in a bid to reach a wider audience in India, the company recently launched the Speed ​​T4 – essentially a more affordable version of the Speed ​​400. performance to suit what the company calls a fairly “relaxed” ride. We recently spent some time looking at this model, and here, let’s see if it’s just an affordable version or offers more features.

Triumph Speed ​​T4: Design and Build

At first glance, the Speed ​​T4 maintains the classic aesthetic of the Speed ​​400, with round headlights, retro lines and simple two-tone paint. The Speed ​​400 is more distinctive with its handlebar-end rearview mirror and premium appearance, while the T4 uses traditional rearview mirrors and neat telescopic forks, pursuing clean lines and a simpler appearance.

But don’t mistake simplicity for cheapness—the build quality is top-notch for its price. The finish, paint and welds are all solid. Although the T4 lacks some high-end features like the USD fork on the Speed ​​400, it doesn’t feel like a budget bike. Another change is the saddle cushioning and seat pattern, which looks more premium to newcomers. Beyond that, there’s another highlight that makes the T4 look more premium than its older brother. The addition of black elements such as fork bottles, fenders, handlebars and exhaust pipes make the model more modern.

Triumph Speed ​​T4: Suspension and handling

The telescopic forks on the Speed ​​T4 may not be as flashy as the USD forks on the Speed ​​400, but they’re great for city riding. They’re great for city and smoother riding, making potholes and minor bumps feel like minor inconveniences rather than bumps. While the USD setup in the Speed ​​400 may offer enhanced stability, stiffness and handling in corners and off-road conditions, the T4’s Suspension settings Didn’t disappoint at all. If we don’t compare, the suspension settings are optimal and serve the purpose of providing a relaxed ride in the city.

Compared to the Speed ​​400, which is more suitable for intense riding, the T4 is noticeably more easy-going. Handling remains nimble despite the 1kg extra weight, and the MRF Zapper bias-ply tires are grippy enough for daily commuting, although they’re not as performance-oriented as the radials 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 by no means sluggish. With 31 hp and 36 Nm of torque, the T4 shines in urban riding. The Triumph has been tuned for low-end torque, which means you get more pull at lower revs, making stop-and-go traffic a breeze. In fact, 85% of torque is available at 2,500 rpm, so fewer gear changes are required when you’re cruising around town. Apart from that, this engine is very easy to control and you can cruise comfortably at speeds as low as 30 km/h without any bumps.
The real magic happens in the sweet 3,500-5,500 RPM range, which is where most of your city riding happens. Whether you’re weaving through traffic or navigating narrow city streets, you don’t have to constantly shift gears. Thanks to the T4’s retuned engine and higher-inertia crank assembly (31% more inertia than the 400), it delivers smooth, consistent power. The bike doesn’t feel like it’s begging to go faster, but it responds quickly when you need an extra push.

The T4’s power delivery is always smooth and linear. The best we could attempt was 130 km/h (on the speedometer in sixth gear), and the bike achieved this effortlessly. You can easily reach speeds above 120 km/h, but the T4 is most comfortable in the lower rev range and performs best in the 60-80 km/h zone. Overall, throttle response is great and predictable. Another big change that we personally appreciate is the deeper, throatier exhaust note, which sounds noticeably better than the 400.

Triumph Speed ​​T4: Features

Triumph has pared back some of the high-tech features on the T4, which is what you’d expect at this price point. No traction control or ride-by-wire. However, you still get LED lighting and a semi-digital instrument cluster, which displays all the basic readouts such as speed, fuel level and gear position. You also get a USB charging port. One thing we still don’t appreciate about this model is its analog speedometer and lack of features like smartphone connectivity and navigation.

Triumph Speed ​​T4: Verdict

Priced at just Rs 2.17 lakh ex-showroom, the Triumph Speed ​​T4 is an ideal motorcycle for those who want the look and feel of a Triumph without all the bells and whistles. That said, this motorcycle is not just an economical version of the 400, but has its own features and capabilities, and if you are planning to buy one for daily city commuting for a fairly relaxing and fun riding experience, Then the T4 should be on your list.