Triumph Motorcycles takes a step back from the top- and mid-range bikes to fill out its Speed family with the new, beginner-friendly Speed 400. Like its two- and three-cylinder big-bore brethren, the Speed 400 inherits a solid pedigree along with clear DNA that ties it visually to the rest of the family.

The Speed 400 comes with a modest safety package, which bundles both electronic and mechanical safety systems. It's a nice level of support that will especially benefit newer riders and boosts its trainer-bike chops. It also carries a number of design features that bring to mind the custom culture both old and new. Naturally, the factory has a line of genuine accessories that let you make your own mark on your bike, which is something of a blank canvas by design.

This family tree first saw the light of day in 1938 and was refreshed in 1994 with the release of the '94 Hinkley Triumph, which established the modern naked-sport look. The family has since expanded to include 1,200cc, 900cc, and now 400cc powerplants that cover a wide range of riders and skill levels.

RELATED: The New Triumph Speed 400 Is Here To Disrupt The Entry-Level Segment

2024 Triumph Speed 400

8 / 10

Expert Opinion: The Speed 400 features Triumph's new 398cc TR-series single-cylinder engine. Built on a compact, sporty chassis, the Speed 400 is a no-nonsense, new-rider-approachable motorcycle in Triumph's Modern Classic stable. It fills out the bottom of the Speed line with a clear connection to tie it to the rest of the family line.

Model

Speed 400

Engine:

398cc single cylinder

Power Output

39.5hp @ 8,000 RPM

Torque

27.7-lbs.ft. @ 6,500 RPM

Transmission

Six-speed manual

Driveline

X-ring chain

MSRP

TBA (fall 2023, est. $6,999)

Pros

• Affordably priced
• Modern classic design
• Capable entry-level bike

Cons

• Taller riders may be cramped
• Initially only accessory single-sided saddlebags
• No connected tech

2024 Triumph Speed 400 Performance And Capability

Triumph powers the new Speed 400 with an equally new, TR-series thumper engine. It shares design elements with the Bonneville engine and manages to create its own sporty look with a forward-canted jug, polished cooling-fin edges, and finned exhaust clamp ring. Those cylinder fins are mostly decorative: They serve to show off the tilt of the engine, but the truth is, it's a water-jacketed powerplant complete with a radiator for greater thermal capacity and stability when operating under harsh conditions.

Dual overhead cams and finger-followers time the valvetrain with a total of four poppets for efficient aspiration and exhaust. It's a short-stroke/oversquare engine with an 89mm bore and 64mm stroke. That gives it an actual displacement of 398.15cc with a spicy compression ratio of 12:1 that'll prefer fuels with higher octane levels to prevent knock/ping/run-on events.

The throttle control is a ride-by-wire setup with Bosch EFI to meter the fuel flow. Traction control comes stock and is switchable, so you can take it or leave it as you please. The slipper-style clutch does its part to eliminate rear-wheel hop/slip by preventing excess backtorque from building in the drivetrain on hard downshifts or when otherwise engaged in hard engine-braking exercises.

A six-speed transmission and chain-and-sprocket final drive complete the drive train. The 2024 Triumph Speed 400 produces 39.5 horsepower and 27.7 pound-feet of torque, which puts it in the A2-compliant bracket to further support newer/younger riders. Estimated Speed 400 top speed is 93 MPH. It's plenty fast enough to ride anywhere in the U.S. with no issues on the superslab and a generous power reserve, even at interstate speeds, while also suitable for use on British “B” roads.

Performance Specifications

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2024 Triumph Speed 400 Design

While the overall look of the thing is sorta Bonneville-like, not gonna lie, there are some important distinctions. Right away the front fender steers into much more modern territory with its foil-type uprights that are more like a sportbike proper than a roadster such as this. Plus, the custom style, pared-down sheet metal makes that important connection.

A single round LED headlight splits the night with effective daytime running lights for round-the-clock visibility. LED blinkers mounted on the bottom half of the tripletree should be reasonably safe in a drop. The cockpit is rather tidy with compact instrumentation, a short-rise handlebar, and some really cool-looking bar-end mirrors that help to reinforce the Speed 400's custom looks. A round analog speedometer joins an LCD screen to handle all the instrumentation and higher-electronics control.

Not only does the 3.43-gallon fuel tank carry a classic teardrop shape, but adds old-school knee indents for when you want to tuck in your stems. There are also real relief dents to allow the front end to move through its full range of motion, lock-to-lock, without actually hitting the tank. The seat rides 31.1 inches off the deck with a sculpted saddle meant to make it easy to put your feet down at a stop. A slight rise segregates the pilot from the pillion, while the latter has folding footpegs and a grab rail to complete the passenger's goodies.

A tall, longish mudguard mounts the rear blinkers and license plate while the LED taillight rides nested in the tip of the tail. There's also a swingarm-mount hugger to complete the fling coverage. We mentioned that it was sorta' Bonnie-like in its looks, but the angle in the downtubes, rise in the saddle, and forward-cocked fuel tank makes it seem like the more aggressive of the two.

Specs & Dimensions

RELATED: Why Waiting For The Triumph Speed 400 Is Better Than Buying A Kawasaki Z400 Now

2024 Triumph Speed 400 Chassis

The main frame on the Speed 400 is a hybrid creation. It has tubular-steel members for the flexion and strength they bring to the table in a welded spine/perimeter arrangement, with a bolt-on rear subframe section to complete the bones. A full-yoke swingarm lends its own strength to the structure. Rake is 24.6 degrees with 4.02 inches of trail, and this plays a large part in the overall nimble nature of the Speed 400 (and the fun you can have on one)20.

A gas monoshock tames the action and adjustable preload lets you dial in for changing passenger and cargo loads. Up front, a set of 43mm inverted Showa-look (but unmarked) Big Piston forks do their thing with fixed preload and damping values. Suspension travel measures 5.5 inches and 5.1 inches at the front and rear respectively, for a fairly plush ride overall. For the record, we think that's fine for a beginner's bike. There's nothing gained by overwhelming the pilot with minutia.

Cast-aluminum wheels round out the rolling chassis in a 17.0-inch diameter and a light weight to cut down on the inertial and centrifugal forces generated therein for better handling, especially in the curves. The hoops come in a 110/70 ahead of a 150/60. A 300mm disc and four-bore caliper slow the front wheel ahead of a 230mm disc and single-piston anchor, both with stock ABS protection.

Wet weight is only 375 pounds, which makes it easy to wrangle in the parking lot and hold up at a stop. As for security, there's a steering lock in the steering head area of the frame, so if someone wants to take it they'll have to carry it. There's the ignition immobilizer feature with which to contend that'll turn this thing into a 400-pound lawn ornament if someone thieves it.

Chassis & Suspension

RELATED: 2024 Triumph Speed 400 vs Honda CB300R - Can Britain Beat Japan?

2024 Triumph Speed 400 Price And Availability

Triumph plans on keeping the price close to the vest until the planned release in the fgll of 2023, but we can take a SWAG at it right now. Let's look at the rest of the Speed line: The 1200 rolls for $12,895 while the 900 fetches $9,895. The 400's engine is less than half the size of the 900 and the electronics are simpler, so we think it would be reasonable to see the Speed 400 start somewhere around the $7,000 mark, maybe even a tad below.

It comes in three two-tone colorways, Phantom Black over Storm Grey, Caspian Blue and Storm Grey, and Carnival Red over Phantom Black. If we had to guess, we'd say that the colored packages will be more expensive than the monochromatic black/gray (grey if you're feeling English) colorway, maybe to the tune of $500 or so. Gold anodized forks join with powder-coated cases across the board for top-notch fit and finish. This new TR-series engine is Euro 5 compliant with a relatively long service interval of 10,000 miles or 12 months, whichever comes first.

Pricing & Features

2024 Triumph Speed 400 Versus Its Competitors

Beginner's sportbikes are easy to come by, but newbie cruisers at this displacement bracket are another story entirely, so let's see what all is out there that could appeal to the same sort of buyer. We're writing from the American perspective in that we do not have tiered licensing, so there is no need for A2 compliance. With that in mind,our my first choice is the Yamaha V-Star 250.

How the Triumph Speed 400 Compares To The Yamaha V-Star 250

• 2024 Triumph Speed 400

  The Speed 400 features Triumph's new 398cc TR-series single-cylinder engine. Built on a compact, sporty chassis, the Speed 400 is a no-nonsense, new-rider-approachable motorcycle in Triumph's Modern Classic stable. It fills out the bottom of the Speed line with a clear connection to tie it to the rest of the family line.

  Model

  Speed 400

  Engine:

  398cc single cylinder

  Power Output

  39.5hp @ 8,000 RPM

  Torque

  27.7-lbs.ft. @ 6,500 RPM

  Transmission

  Six-speed manual

  MSRP

  TBA (fall 2023, est. $6,999)

• 2023 Yamaha V-Star 250

  The Yamaha V-Star 250 is a compact and lightweight cruiser with a low seat height and comfortable ergonomics. The responsive 249cc V-twin engine produces smooth, manageable power with a fuel-efficient nature making it a suitable commuter or a fit for a weekend getaway.

  Model

  V-Star

  Engine:

  249cc V-twin

  Power Output

  21hp @ 8,000 RPM

  Torque

  15.2-lbs.ft. @ 6,000 RPM

  Transmission

  Five-speed manual

  MSRP

  $4,699

Rather than going with the British style, Yamaha decided to dip into historical U.S. machines for the design inspiration with its littlest cruiser, the V-Star 250. Seriously, it looks like an old cruiser that someone left in the dryer for too long. Unfortunately, even though it's a V-Twin, the 249cc air-cooled engine puts it in an even smaller bracket displacement-wise, leaving it less capable in areas with faster speed limits.

The Tuning Fork Company also hits just above the Speed 400 with its Bolt R-Spec. This bike has the classic American cruiser styling, but the V-twin engine is double the size of the Trumpet. It's still a beginner's bike by American standards, but not all newbie bikes are created equal. This one has a bigger lump and a bigger price tag at $8,899, but none of the safety equipment is present on the Speed 400. Not a very good trade-off, if we're honest.

How the Triumph Speed 400 Compares To The Honda Rebel 300

• 2024 Triumph Speed 400

  The Speed 400 features Triumph's new 398cc TR-series single-cylinder engine. Built on a compact, sporty chassis, the Speed 400 is a no-nonsense, new-rider-approachable motorcycle in Triumph's Modern Classic stable. It fills out the bottom of the Speed line with a clear connection to tie it to the rest of the family line.

  Model

  Speed 400

  Engine:

  398cc single cylinder

  Power Output

  39.5hp @ 8,000 RPM

  Torque

  27.7-lbs.ft. @ 6,500 RPM

  Transmission

  Six-speed manual

  Driveline

  X-ring chain

  MSRP

  TBA (fall 2023, est. $6,999)

• 2023 Honda Rebel

  The Honda Rebel 300 is an agile little cruiser that carries modern features such as LED lighting and digital instrumentation. With a history of a rebellious spirit, the Rebel 300 has a lightweight chassis and responsive handling in an approachable and affordable package.

  Model

  Rebel 300

  Engine:

  286cc single-cylinder

  Power Output

  27.4hp

  Torque

  19.9-lbs.ft.

  Transmission

  Six-speed manual

  Driveline

  O-ring-sealed chain; 14T/36T

  MSRP

  $4,749

Honda's new Rebel 300 looks like a likely contender. The Red Riders didn't just refurbish its venerable Rebel line, they reimagined it with totally new framing, all driven by a new powerplant. Honda kinda' mimics some of the elements of old-school American design, but makes no attempt to look like something out of the history books. This is, no doubt, a boon to the company as it turns out a modern pocket cruiser that may appeal to riders who aren't necessarily into Harley-Davidson or Indian products.

The 286cc thumper falls short of the Speed 400, and there are no advanced electronics, which compounds the pain for the littlest of the new Rebel family. Sure, it's less expensive at $4,749, but with less power and fewer electronics, we don't think it's worth the tradeoff to save a couple grand.

He Said

She Said

My wife and fellow motorcycle writer, Allyn Hinton, says,