I’ve been riding the Triumph Speed 400 for a full year now. 14,000 kilometers. Daily use. Long rides. Summer heat. Fuel pumps. Service center visits. Not a review from a test ride. This is what it’s actually like to own and live with this bike.
The Speed 400 looks brilliant. No denying that. It’s modern, clean, muscular, and carries that premium British charm. It stands out in traffic. The kind of bike that gets you a second glance at the red light. That part, Triumph nailed. But the story goes much deeper than just looks.
I ride about 50 km every day. Work, errands, life. And while the bike handles that routine pretty well, smooth pickup, easy cruising, great balance in city traffic the cost of doing that daily ride adds up faster than I expected.
Let’s start with the fuel economy. I get around 20 kmpl consistently. Doesn’t matter if it’s city or highway, though sometimes I got 25-26 on highways. That’s the number. For a 400cc bike, that’s not impressive. You can’t help but compare it to smaller bikes doing 35-40+ kmpl. Over the year, I’ve spent roughly ₹25,000 on petrol alone. That’s fuel every 3-4 days. Not ideal if you’re someone who counts running costs before joy.
Then there’s maintenance. In one year, I spent ₹21,000. Regular services, oil changes, basic wear-and-tear stuff. But the real dent came when the chain and sprocket gave up just before a planned ride to Yelagiri. I had barely crossed 12,000 km. Still, the authorized service center quoted nearly ₹10,000 for replacement. No accident, no abuse, just regular usage. I missed chain lubing on time, but keep the bike clean, yet the parts didn’t last. That made me question the long-term reliability and parts quality a bit.
But when I’m on the road, the bike still puts a smile on my face. The throttle response is sharp. Pickup is smooth and confident. Highway rides are steady at 100-110 kmph without stress. In June, I pulled off a 3,000 km road trip despite the crazy heat. No breakdowns. The bike held its ground. Even at 40-50 degrees, it didn’t heat up to the point of worry. The seat comfort was surprisingly good over long stretches. Suspension handled bad patches with ease. There’s definitely joy in riding it. That part never faded.
Handling in corners is predictable. You feel in control. The brakes do their job. It’s not a race bike, but it’s not lazy either. For weekend rides, breakfast runs, or even spontaneous 500 km rides, it’s a great companion.
But here’s the truth most people won’t tell you: if you're thinking of using the Speed 400 as a daily commuter and you’re tight on budget, this might hurt. Between fuel and maintenance, I spend almost ₹3,800 per month, and that’s without counting insurance or EMI. It’s not a low-cost ride.
Check it out here:
If your priorities are cost-effectiveness, mileage, and budget servicing this probably isn’t your bike.
If you’re someone who’s okay spending extra for that brand tag, that clean Triumph look, the badge on the tank, and a genuinely fun riding experience, then yes, this is a good machine. Just go in knowing it isn’t cheap to run. It’s a premium bike with a premium lifestyle cost attached.
Before buying, ask yourself a few things. How far do you ride every day? How close is your nearest Triumph service center? Are you prepared for ₹10,000 surprise repairs? Are you buying it for the name or the need?
The Speed 400 delivers where it promises looks, ride, experience. But don’t get fooled by the “400cc, made in India, low-cost Triumph” narrative. It’s not high maintenance, but it’s not low either. It sits in a space where it wants to be premium, but also wants to appeal to the average Indian rider. And that’s where the ownership journey becomes tricky.
I’m not disappointed. I knew what I was getting into. But if I had known the exact math of fuel + parts + repairs in the first year, I might’ve waited or thought differently.
The bike is good. Really good. But don’t buy it blind. Buy it with eyes wide open. That’s all I’d say.
If you have any suggestions let me know...