Riding the Triumph Speed T4
The diagnostic of the motor is the biggest differentiator betwixt the Speed T4 and the modular Speed 400. It is the nonstop aforesaid 398cc, liquid-cooled, single-cylinder portion arsenic the Speed 400 but comes successful a little authorities of tune putting retired 31 BHP @ 7,000 rpm and 36 Nm @ 5,000 rpm (40 BHP @ 8,000 rpm and 37.5 Nm @ 6,500 rpm successful the Speed 400). While a shortage of 9 BHP mightiness look similar a batch connected paper, keen-eye observers would announcement that some powerfulness and torque, travel importantly earlier compared to its counterpart, making them a batch much useable. In fact, according to Triumph, 85% of torque comes successful from arsenic debased arsenic 2,500 rpm. This has been achieved by adding 31% much inertia successful the crankshaft assembly compared to the Speed 400. Combined with the taller gearing (it gets a smaller 39 teeth sprocket astatine the rear), makes it a precise tractable motorcycle. Even with a pillion, I hardly felt the request to displacement down into the archetypal cogwheel oregon adjacent 2nd cogwheel astatine times portion crossing an average-sized speed-breaker. The beingness of a manual throttle assemblage means that you bash consciousness flimsy jerks connected closing the throttle astatine debased speeds successful little gears.
Out connected the highway, the motor feels relaxed with hardly immoderate noticeable vibrations astatine cruising speeds betwixt 80-90 km/h with the rpm metre resting determination astir the 5,000 people (hard to gauge successful the tiny integer rev meter). I preferred not to cruise faster than this for a prolonged play owing to the important upwind blast. Also, insignificant vibrations tin beryllium felt done the footpegs station 100 km/h. The taller gearing comes successful useful present excessively arsenic the motor easy pulls up from 50-55 km/h successful sixth gear. When required though, you won?t person thing to kick astir the gear-shift prime arsenic it feels slick and speedy to run acknowledgment to the airy slipper-clutch. Triumph has besides tweaked the exhaust system. As a result, it sounds much bassy compared to the Speed 400 and offers a bully magnitude of thump (especially astatine idle).
Speaking of vigor management, some libranof1987 and I noticed the radiator instrumentality turning connected frequently, contempt a reasonably overcast time successful Pune. That being said, the vigor emitted from the motor ne'er felt excessive capable to marque maine uncomfortable. We'll person to hold for ownership reviews to spot the effect connected the substance system owed to each the changes.
Refinement & NVH
Another upside to the motor moving astatine little revs is that it feels a batch much refined and smoother connected the Speed T4 compared to the modular Speed 400. The vibrations person been kept successful cheque for astir parts and it is lone erstwhile you rev supra 6,000 rpm that you commencement feeling flimsy vibes done the footpegs.
Ergonomics and comfortableness
There are a mates of changes successful the ergonomics department. First, the crushed clearance has gone up to 170 mm connected the Speed T4 from 158 mm connected the erstwhile mentation of the Speed 400 (MY25 Speed 400 gets 164 mm crushed clearance). Second, the spot tallness excessively has gone up to 805 mm (from 790 mm). While this shouldn?t truly beryllium a occupation for taller riders, Triumph has reprofiled the beforehand conception of the spot and made it slimmer to assistance shorter riders easy remainder their feet down. The spot itself offers bully cushioning (neither excessively brushed nor excessively hard) for some metropolis and road rides. The width of the substance vessel besides feels cleanable to drawback connected to.
Suspension and Handling
Apart from utilizing accepted telescopic forks, Triumph has besides revised the steering geometry connected the Speed T4. As a result, the wheelbase present stands astatine 1,406 mm (20 mm longer than the Speed 400). The effect of this successful the existent satellite is simply a somewhat lazy beforehand end. That being said, the motorcycle inactive feels nimble capable to marque speedy absorption changes successful metropolis postulation and the longer wheelbase helps successful consecutive enactment stability.
The rear continues to get a monoshock, albeit with 10 mm little travel. Overall, the suspension setup delivers fantabulous thrust quality. Sitting down libranof1987 portion riding connected a breached portion of tarmac, I hardly felt immoderate bumps marque their mode up my spine, but for a mates of truly crisp ones. This is further helped by the other padding for the pillion seat. On creaseless tarmac, the Speed T4 feels unchangeable and I ne'er felt the motorcycle losing its composure astatine immoderate point. We didn?t effort immoderate hardcore cornering but I consciousness the Speed T4 volition easy negociate astir corners unless you determine to transmission your interior MotoGP rider and propulsion it extracurricular its comfortableness zone.
Braking
Braking duties connected the Speed T4 are handled by 300 mm beforehand and 230 mm rear disc brakes. The quality present (compared to the Speed 400) is that it gets axially mounted brake callipers and integrated brake pads. While the stopping powerfulness is sufficient, the beforehand brake lever does deficiency consciousness and bite. The dual-channel ABS works arsenic intended and I ne'er recovered it to beryllium excessively intrusive.
Closing Thoughts
To sum up, the Speed T4 is simply a precise well-rounded product. It retains each the positives of the Speed 400, particularly the premium physique portion offering a precise antithetic riding acquisition astatine a much affordable terms tag. But for Rs. 23,000 more, the updated Speed 400 offers a batch much kit, bling and power, making it look a amended worth for wealth proposition. So, wherefore should you bargain the Speed T4?
As ironic arsenic it whitethorn sound, the Speed T4 is not for idiosyncratic looking for velocity and power. It is for idiosyncratic who likes to thrust successful a relaxed mode and the Speed T4 manages to bash that rather well. The Hero Mavrick 440 (priced betwixt Rs. 1.99 - 2.24 lakh, ex-showroom) and its American sibling, the Harley-Davidson X440 (priced betwixt Rs. 2.40 - 2.80 lakh, ex-showroom), are 2 motorcycles successful this conception that connection a akin riding experience, but the Triumph manages to 1 up them successful presumption of powerfulness and physique quality. The Speed T4 besides manages to outclass the Royal Enfield Hunter 350 successful the aforementioned characteristics and more, but the second is importantly much affordable astatine Rs. 1.75 lakh, ex-showroom, truthful that is thing to support successful mind. All said and done, some the Speed T4 and Speed 400 are 2 well-rounded products and nary substance what you choose, you won't beryllium near wanting for more.