Lets start by saying it is important to consider the Speed T4 as a new motorcycle in order to understand it better. Triumph Speed T4 is a more relaxed and city-friendly version of the Triumph Speed 400.
Triumph Speed T4: A City-Friendly Commuter
The Triumph Speed T4 is a more relaxed and urban-focused version of the popular Triumph Speed 400. Designed with city commuting in mind, the Speed T4 offers a comfortable and efficient ride. Instant torque right from low down in the RPM range. If you are someone who is looking for a fun motorcycle primarily for city use and occasional short touring then the T4 makes a lot of sense. Don’t expect a Speed 400 type rev happy engine. The bike pulls cleanly in low revs even with a pillion.
Calm highway cruising is at about 90-100 kmph. Can do a speedo indicated 120 in decent time. Did not really miss the Ride by Wire and TC.
Design:
- The Speed T4 draws inspiration from Triumph’s successful Speed Twin family, featuring a beautiful, timeless form with subtle updates for a more youthful appeal and improved road presence.
- Key components, such as the frame, handlebar, exhaust, throttle body covers, fork bottles, mudguard, and headlamp bracket, have been blacked out to enhance its urban and contemporary look. Aluminium bits from the Speed 400 are steel on the T4.
- The steel hydroformed handlebar replaces the aluminum version, along with stem mirrors, making it better suited for navigating heavy Indian city traffic.
- The exhaust maintains its hydroformed, jointless design but now features a blacked-out finish to match the bike’s character.
- The seat profile has been updated to improve ground reach, featuring a new rexene stitch pattern and increased foam thickness for enhanced pillion comfort. But overall the seat height is higher than the Speed 400. This is also to compensate for the 10 mm shorter rear suspension travel.
- The hallmark attention to detail extends to every component, including the signature headlamp, tail lamp, engine fins, and paint finish.
- Available in three striking new colors: Pearl Metallic White, Phantom Black, and Cocktail Wine Red.
Performance:
- The Speed T4’s engine has been retuned, offering revised power and torque delivery for a distinct riding experience. While the Speed 400 provides a rev-happy, high-acceleration surge, the T4 focuses on low-end torque, primarily within the 3500-5500 rpm range, offering better low-speed maneuverability and fewer gear shifts—especially useful in city riding.
- The T4 features a high-inertia crank assembly with 31% more inertia than the 400, providing a smoother ride at lower speeds.
- Peak power is rated at 31 PS at 7000 rpm, while peak torque is 36 Nm at 5000 rpm, with over 85% of the torque available as early as 2500 rpm.
- In practical terms, this allows the T4 to go as low as 30 km/h in 5th gear, outperforming the Speed 400.
- Despite a slight drop in output compared to the Speed 400, the T4 still accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 9.2 seconds
- The top speed is rated at 135 km/h, lower than the 400’s 145 km/h. We touched a speedo indicated 155 kmph (error of course)
- A revised final drive with 39 rear teeth (compared to 43 in the 400) also enhances touring capabilities, with a relaxed cruising speed of 100 km/h at 5450 rpm.
- While the T4 lacks ride-by-wire technology and traction control, it retains a slipper clutch, functional console, and USB charger. Throttle response was adequate and the Ride by Wire and Traction control was not missed.
- The airbox profile and intake port have been redesigned to complement the engine’s character, contributing to a refined package.
- The exhaust note has been re-tuned for a bass-heavy, relaxed sound, and idling rpm has been reduced to 1300 (from 1500 in the 400).
- Fuel efficiency has improved by 4 km/l, from 26 km/l to 30 km/l, providing a range of nearly 400 km on a full tank—perfect for touring.
Handling:
- The Speed T4 maintains Triumph’s renowned handling dynamics, featuring revised geometry and a longer wheelbase for more progressive and controlled steering.
- The upside-down forks have been replaced by conventional 43mm telescopic forks, offering a plush ride quality.
- The rear monoshock remains the same, though its travel has been reduced by 10 mm to accommodate the taller tire and maintain a comfortable saddle height of 805mm. This also makes the rear feel a bit more stiffer in city conditions especially when riding solo.
- The T4 is equipped with normal tires instead of radials, with a front tire size of 110/70 (vs. 110/80) and rear tire size of 140/70 (vs. 150/70). These tires provide better street presence, a ride more aligned with the T4’s character, and greater cost efficiency and durability.
- Ground clearance has been improved to 170 mm, significantly higher than the Speed 400’s 158 mm.
- The T4 features floating axial brake calipers (compared to the radial setup in the 400), ensuring excellent braking performance.
Triumph Speed T4 review conclusion
The Speed T4 is all about easy riding, it has oodles of torque in the regular rev range making it fun and easy to ride in a daily use perspective. Even with a pillion things are comfortable. The downgrade in equipment might seem like a let down from a spec sheet perspective, but when you actually ride it in the city, everything adds up and it is a classy looking motorcycle that will allow you to fly by in your commute in style.
