My friend had recently sold his solo Duke 200 and was on the lookout for a light and nimble bike for city use.
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Taking delivery of the Triumph Speed 400 for my friend – 08-05-2024
My childhood friend and I, both having crossed 55, were always in love with motorcycles. While I had 4 in the stable, my friend had recently sold his solo Duke 200 and was on the lookout for a light and nimble bike for city use. He asked for my advice and we zeroed in on the Speed 400 in Blue. I got the Classic 350 last year, for the same use case scenario, but for me, pillion comfort was paramount for my wife’s local shopping sprees. He on the other hand would mostly be riding solo. Hence the Baby Triumph it was.
As there were no Triumph dealerships in Meerut, we searched online and got quotes from the Noida and Okhla dealerships. But then, a long-time acquaintance whom I had known for the last 13 years from Capital Harley, had recently joined Triumph Noida as Branch Head. He gave a good offer and that sealed the deal. The photos and VIN number were checked and the 10th digit was an ‘R’ signifying the Mfg Year to be 2024 and the bike was available for immediate delivery.
So we reached Triumph Noida at opening time –
And there it was in full glory. It was love at first site. Notice the bigger Speed 900 beside it. The fit and finish were impeccable in comparison, considering both had a price difference of almost 7 lacs!
A view from the other side. That Saree Guard looked hideous and it was decided to remove it promptly before delivery –
This was our final pricing and the dealer friend threw in 5k worth of accessories free on his personal behalf –
The under-seat area was checked. I was surprised to see an extra lock cylinder (encircled in red) being given free with the spare key by Triumph/Bajaj. I have not seen that with any other manufacturer. Do they expect their locks to go bad so soon?
The single-piece seat bottom, with area to lock in the 2 main tools (in red), an L key and a Spanner. However, they do give a Rear Suspension Adjuster separately.
The speedo was on 16km as the dealer had asked my specific permission to ride it down 12 km from their Vaishali Workshop, where they were unloaded, to which I had agreed –
The bike was tanked up with XP95 as the same was the fuel of 1st choice in the Owner’s Handbook –
The Owner’s Handbook in pdf, in case anyone is interested, is posted at the end of this post.
A view of the cockpit. The fuel cap has an E20 sticker on it –
Left-hand controls with Info button –
Right Hand Controls with a Hazard Flasher button –
The Bike was now transferred to their nearby workshop for fitting of accessories and removal of the saree guard. Very neat, clean, and immaculate, impressed –
The Bike was put on the lift –
And raised to complete the jobs. The removal of the saree guard was a simple job and required the removal of just 3 nuts, which were tightened back in place after its removal, so that they don’t get misplaced for any future use –
A closer look at the beautifully crafted and finished Engine and those cooling fins –
And that full SS exhaust pipe –
Rs. 2788/- is the MRP of the Lower Engine Bars, that we got fitted –
And Rs. 3185/- for the beautifully crafted Luggage Rack Kit, that we did not fit yet and kept with us for future touring purposes. Quite reasonable, I would say –
The Knee Guards were installed. A view of the Left Side one –
And the Right Side One –
The Tank Guard –
The installation of the Lower Engine Guards was a tedious process and took nearly half an hour, as it ‘officially’ involves, the removal of the Exhaust Header Pipe. Triumph even provides a new Exhaust Header Gasket in the kit for this purpose. However, the technician was able to install it without removing the full exhaust. It would have been helpful if clear installation instructions were provided with the kit like other manufacturers (read Harley, BMW, etc.), which they were not! –
All installation is finally complete. These total accessories were around 8.5k but we paid 5k less on them as had been agreed. Also, installation labour of these accessories was made free by the Branch Head –
In the meantime, it was Lunch time and we took a Whopper at the adjoining Burger King. Lolz –
The Bike was finally back at the showroom and ready for delivery. The cleaner look, without the saree guard, looked better to me –
Out on the road –
The Noida Head informed me that they will be opening a local dealership in Meerut this month. That will be the 1st Superbike Sales and Service setup in Meerut. Nice for us –
My friend is 6′ like me and he was supremely comfortable on the 80km ride home. All’s well –
Cheers…
triumph-speed-400-review-triumph-speed-400-scrambler-400-x-owners-handbook-uk-english-09-2023.pdf
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