VOLUME ISSUE FEBRUARY , P73
SPEED 400
The Speed 400, more so than
the Scrambler 400 X, fills the
void Triumph's been trying to
fill for a very, very long time. I
suspect they'll probably sell two
Speed to every Scrambler sim-
ply because this bike will appeal
to a broader range of riders.
Funnily enough, while I was
testing the Speed, I couldn't help
but think it fitted me better than
the much larger capacity Speed
900. A quick look at the specs
of the two bikes confirmed that
the 400 has a one-inch taller
seat height at 31 inches—it may
not seem a lot, but it made a
world of difference.
The Speed 400 is not just a
bike for beginner riders who
want to look cool. Triumph
themselves were surprised by
the reaction to the bike's birth,
with many customers saying
that for the price, they'd pick
one up just for quick runs to the
shops.
Like its Scrambler brother,
the Speed runs non-adjustable
43mm inverted Showa Big Pis
-
ton Forks (BPF) but gets slightly
less wheel travel at 5.5 inches
up front and 5.1 inches at the
rear via a shock that comes with
preload adjustment only.
The ride quality is surprisingly
good for such basic suspen
-
sion. The Speed turns quickly
and sharply at low speed in the
city but will also play footsies
under the table when you get
moving in the twisties.
The trick to making a Speed
400 really go with its admittedly
soft suspension is to be espe
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