Freddie is by far the best motorcycle reviewer on RUclips. Just IMO but he gives you real world information, impressions, an informed and honest opinion and not just numbers and biased badge-snobbery. Love this channel.
Sometimes, i close my eyes or i go to the kitchen while listening to Freddie. And suddenly i feel like, young David Attenborough talking about motorcycle's. Words, sentences, voice tone. And that gives me goosebump, makes me smile. Keep doing what you're doing Freddie. We love your passion. And of course we love Monica :) Hello from Turkey :)
Awesome review. I'm an owner of the Speed and did suffer a major issue. The bike was stalling during down shift. The dealer was crap, and sadly Triumph didn't do any better. It took two months, and I've been enjoying the heck out of it since.
I’ve had my scrambler 400 x for 2 months and 2000 miles. No issues of any kind. 3.4 liters/100km. Dart fly screen helps a bit at 75 mph. Fabulous bike especially at $5600
I was going to pull the trigger on one of these, pretty bikes, but ended up with a Moto Guzzi V7 stone. 50% more torque than these 400s and I absolutely love it!
I had a 2023 Moto Guzzi V7 Stone Centenario Ed. that I traded for a 2023 Triumph Speed Twin 900. It was definitely the right decision for me, though the Guzzi is a nice bike. I only had tiny complaints. I liked the fit & finish better on the Speed Twin, found the engine/transmission much smoother & peppier, and it was lower, which matters to a shorty like me. I tried to like the V7 and it was not my first Guzzi (had a Breva)l, but I just never bonded with mine. My husband has the 2023 all-black V7 Stone, but he's much more fond of the Guzzi quirkiness than I am. He had a Le Mans Rosso Corse years ago, but he loves his V7 now. Different strokes, I guess.
I went for the interceptor over this as I found it to be more of the modern classic I was looking for (and the 400 was yet available to me). And after hearing about reliability issues, I’m quite glad I made the decision that I did. Great video Freddie. Keep it up.
With the Interceptor you've got the real deal. With collaborations it's smoke & mirrors marketing so you end up with an Indian bike with a Union Jack on its tank, for me that's a total turn off.
Last weekend me and my friends went from Nottingham to the Lake District, all of us on speed 400s. All 3 bikes been brilliant and really comfortable on the motorway and on the twisties. I highly recommend it
Top notch video today! I have a Speed 400 in my stable and love it - not perfect but great to ride. BTW, my side stand is the same - I think it is easy to stand on the small bar and bend it - hence the flaking paint and then rust! The biggest gripe has been the severe delay on accessories.......
Unless I am on a hill I don't bother with first on mine. I pull away in second the majority of the time and it is very happy to do so and it is better for it.
I skip gears all the time in all my bikes. I can do 2-4-6 easily. Freddie says you change gears constantly with this bike, I don’t understand since it has 6 gears like most bikes, so from stop its 6 gears to highway. Feel too many? Skip them. I also like the front sprocket change because the 6th should be longer for lower rpm at 70mph.
Hi Freddie, thanks for another video endorsing the Speed 400. I'm loving mine and she gets a fair amount of attention from folk due to the looks. For Malta, its the perfect commuter, but perfectly capable of hopping over to Europe proper for a tour. Keep up the great content!
Hi Freddie - for what it’s worth RE350 ( I have one) brilliant at very low revs - nothing in mid and nothing in high RPM T400 not quite as sublime at lowest RPM but a world of useable power mid and high RPM RE G450 - that Sherpa engine is the Triumph plus a whole lot more urgency That was my experience of them Keep up the great work
Have owned this since march same colour, super happy with the bike, no issues whatsoever. Have enjoyed the bike on group rides, only med i have made is the tail tidy which enhances its looks considerably. Bought a Honda Cb 400 n in 1984, and the starter relay stopped working after only 2 months. The fit and finish on the Triumph is far better also.
I got mine about a month ago. So far the experience is pretty good but there is a jerk in the bike as I shift from 1st to 2nd gear (will get it checked) and the engine has a lot of vibrations( which I am ok with) . Triumph showroom folks told me that triumph is handling quality control even though the bikes are being manufactured by Bajaj (who knows whether it's true) . I did not buy the Enfield because of the weight which I felt is difficult to manage in India's insane traffic as well as the throttle response of the classic 350 is not great. Another bike I seriously considered was the Honda CB350 eventually choose the triumph because for just Rupees 20,000 ( 181 Pounds ) more I was getting double the horsepower and the triumph looks better. When you visit India or go to Japan please do get a ride on the CB350/GB350 , it is in my opinion a better version of the classic 350 ( though not nearly as good looking ) . Harley Davidson also launched a 440cc bike in collaboration with an Indian company , an impressive bike but has a serious marketing/branding problem because of Harleys past and I don't think they have the confidence to launch it in Europe/North America .
Another exceptionally well made review, thank you very much for the informativ fabulous entertainment. I was into buying the Triumph 400 and after riding it and it’s sibling I ended up buying the Honda cl 500. maybe you should consider this for reviewing…. I found it even more friendly and agile, slightly more power and two cylinder, reliable heritage and affordable… just an opinion from someone enjoying your effort. Godspeed
The Guerrilla 450 is another great option, but I found it heavier, less maneuverable and it is harder to reach the ground for shorter riders, despite the 780 mm height, as the arch is wider and makes you open your legs more. That's why I ruled it out. Finally, I have changed my RE Classic 350 for the Speed 400 for its better performance and engine feel, even though I loved the Classic 350, but only for low speed riding.
I would love a Triumph Bonneville with a 400cc engine. Triumph should offer this design with all sorts of different engines, from 300cc all the way up to 1200cc
Love your vids Freddie! Please do a review on the new Royal Enfield Bullet 350! Especially the Black Gold model. My favourite looking, retro looking bike. 🙏🙏🙏
I just bought a RE Classic 350 to serve as the little bike in my garage. It came down to the Triumph 400X and the Classic 350. So, that tells you where I'm at. My bigger bike is a T100 and I am very happy with it.
The best version of this bike is coming next year, the Thruxton 400. It will be coming because this is the biggest selling bike Triumph has ever had. But of course, seeing those sales of Enfields and Triumphs, Japan will counter with some retro bikes that will certainly be better quality. Its time for Honda to bring back a modern GB500, a bike 40 years ahead of its time.
Honda already has the GB350 here in India which is similar to the Classic 350 in character but even better in dynamics and refinement. They have the same bike in Japan and Australia as well. It's high time they revived the GB500.
I’ve started my riding on a svartpilen 401. After a year I want to upgrade. This looks appealing but suspect this may not be much of an upgrade. Thinking maybe continental 650. Great video as usual Freddie
I've had the immobilizer issue, right out of the dealer, which was fixed with an update on 1st service. My only issue since is that my clutch cable keeps getting looser with time so I have to fiddle with it every couple of months. A price I happily pay though because other than that this bike is just sublime, so much fun. Bought for some side fun, but it relegated my 650cc to the weekends only, if even! That being said, I've heard from a lot of people about a lot of issues and if you're unfortunate enough to be having the most dangerous ones like the bike stalling on downshifts, please have it fixed or get rid of it, definitely not worth a crash.
Great review and I largely concur with all your findings , but there is one other bike you REALLY need to test in this sector ! .. A genuine hidden gem , the Honda CL500 . Forget any preconceptions about looks the CL is huge on the fun factor scale , can easily be purchased for the same price as the Triumph and has 100% bullet proof reliability and build quality ... Plus the looks grow on you and it actually has real character , it's so chuckable and entertaining to ride ...A spot of light off-roading? carving through traffic? cruising at 80? 100mph top end? all no problem, and you just know it will be as dependable as the day is long . Try to get a test on one , the higher brown seat option will fit you best ... David 😊PS ... And that is speaking as a Triumph Fan Boy !!
Good review & I like the honesty about some of the reported problems. I'm picking mine up tomorrow. I love the modern classic styling, that was a real selling point for me. I was tempted by the new model Svartpilen 401 with all the features on the dash but the overall style & the Triumph brand had to win out. Hopefully I don't encounter any issues but the Consumer Guarantees Act is pretty strong in NZ, so I don't think I'll have any problems claiming anything under the warranty.
As an owner of the classic 350. I never think about avoiding roads, never worry about the power unless my friends suggest a little race. Gets you where you need to go; with style, a beautiful sound, extremely easy serviceability, and a whole lot of smiles. (if you’re ever concerned about power, get a stage 2 air filter + about 2000 kms of riding, the engine really opens up at that point, and you’ll find the only limiting factor, is your own determination…and maybe overtaking other vehicles XD)
It's not the lack of power with the RE350 that's an issue, it's the artificially limited top speed. If RE allowed it a real world 80MPH it would be much better.
@@stephenb134 yeah definitely agree, thats why i made the little joke about the overtaking ability. cant overtake anything of highways because of being limited.
Personally, I really like the look of the Speed 400. I think it strikes the right balance of being "Modern Classic" as Triumph call it. It has retro inspiration but it's definitely not pretending to be an old bike. I actually have an old bike (1963 Honda CB72) and I want to buy a Speed 400 as a modern bike to ride. I don't want a new bike pretending to be a classic. The Royal Enfield Classic 350 looks so authentic that they actually are convincing, partly because of the old fashioned air-cooled engine. For the Speed 400 to have 40hp it had to be liquid cooled, and you can't really hide a radiator on a single cylinder naked bike, so they don't have the option of making a convincing classic bike replica. I think of it as a well-dressed KTM 390 Duke, it will give you modern high-rpm performance and also look much more appropriate outside a country bakery than a KTM.
I was considering changing in my 2021 Yamaha MT-03 for a Triumph Speed 400, but after having heard of a couple of cases where metal has been found in the oil (4,000 mile area) allegedly caused by timing chain rub, I'm sticking with the Yam, which has been faultless over the 3 years & 7,500 miles that I've owned it.
Hi Freddie, Great perspective per usual! Was wondering if you could start doing a mailer/article/video series about motorcycle culture, philosophy, design, history and art type stuff! I apologise if something like this already exists and I couldn’t find it! Have a good one!
Very interesting Freddie, I have my DAS at the end of this month, the Triumph Speed 400 and the RE Guerrilla are at the top of my list, Lots of points to think about
Good luck with your DAS. I passed my test 2 years ago and went for a Honda rebel 500 as a first big bike but in hindsight wish I had gone for the triumph scrambler 900. With a 500, you’ll soon be wanting more torque. In my opinion anyway.
Good luck with the DAS. The competition at this end of the market is huge and with the bike shows just round the corner, there’s a plethora of new models on the way, so if you can hang on, I’d wait to see what new offerings are on their way.
It's great that there are so many choices in this segment now. I definitely prefer the looks of the Guerilla, and the Classic 350 can't be touched it's such an icon. However, a 400 Bonnie must be on the horizon, and if they get the styling right......could be a game changer.
I'm doing my best to uncool the Triumph by owning one same colour with fly screen and rad guard. The bike has its issues no centre stand & no threaded holes for paddock stand bobbins, relatively difficult to access chain, the front mudguard is too short and to be fair the Enfield competition in top trims has a better screen and like you the gearing. Gremlins exist in the bike of course it takes a couple of years to iron them out every mass produced vehicle is the same. To be fair it's very cool looking at least with you riding it it's fast enoug. RE 350s are nice but 10hp would fix it's pace problems, they need to develop that unit maybe a large oil cooler so it can handle the heat produced. RE need to sort out their too short service intervals it's a new century we expect better.
Maybe a set of clubman bars and a different more growling exhaust would give the Speed 4000 a bit of hooliganism rebel cool. Love mine and all I’ve added were Blue Puig levers and knee pads. 😊
I kinda think the ‘rock n roll’ will come in time. It’s almost like they have released the speed/street twin version and we await the T100 Bonneville version. A baby bonnie would be ‘cute’.
Your storytelling with all the emotions coming from your heart more than the intellect makes it more meaningful and heart touching. More than all the bikes it about what we can think of looking at your stories. Thanku 😊
Great video Freddie. I think Triumph have positioned themselves quite well in this market. It has a good balance between the modern/retro look and the price means more people can aquire the cool retro Triumph image . A major issue I feel they have however is the quality across their range. I purchased the beautiful Scrambler 1200 xe. Last of the good spec version before the year model 24 came out. I bought it new. Really looked after it. This season of riding, however, it started consuming oil 1.5 ltrs in just 3k. Coolant constantly coming from the weep hole. Also, a warning msg that was stating a gearbox fault. Was told both fluid issues were within Triumph tolerances. The warning on the tft could never be traced, so could never be removed. According to the manager, they even had a response from HQ, which I'm guessing was from Hinckley stating it was something I'd have to live with every time I started the bike. After it's first service, I sold the bike back to them (at a loss) due to the lack of support with their warranty. Totally gutted as the only bikes I love are Within the triumph range but with quality issues and the lack of help from dealers means that I'm now without a bike I absolutely loved to bits and not sure what to go for next. I still love the Triumph brand and they get the looks right on every model they produce, but the lack of faith in the after sales support will stop me from purchasing another which is a real shame tbh.
If you want a fabulous well built 400 single from India then it has to be the Royal Enfield Guerrilla. A much more serious bike with legendary Enfield build quality, sold in much better colours and it's even cheaper than the Triumph. It's mid range torque is superb, it's handling is spot on and it's frugal.
Fantastic review Freddie. Also really appreciated the end note about wanting a bit more rock n roll. I agree but Id venture to say with these 400 bikes and the new speedtwin 1200rs (with the lack of analog clock) and the discontinuation of the Thruxton line, Triumph has lost their way a bit with the 'classic' portion of the 'modern classic' term that they use to live by. At this point if i want modern Ill go Ducati and if i want classic Ill go Royal Enfield. No need to go with Triumph when theyre not great at either right now. That said, i own two triumphs and a ducati right all prior to 2023 model years. I geuss next bikes wont be Triumphs sadly.
i really want your review of the hunter 350 bro and compare it with the speed 400. Great work Freddie, weird sound in the last videos but good anyways, Greetings from Mexico!!
Agree with your comment about the Guerilla. Rode the triumph but the RE comes across as the naughty school kid that might get you both into Friday detention. So I bought the RE.
Wow so many issues , here in Australia I can imagine the bike becoming a garden ornament , maybe put a garden gnome on it .Honda and Kawasaki, Yamaha ,Suzuki any day . 15000km on my brilliant 23 Versys 650 , 9000kms on my brilliant Honda Transalp 750 no issues , never had to get a replacement part .
Yep, I'm with you on this. Freddy starts by telling us how good this machine is then over the rest of the video bit by bit dismantles it for its issues. I would *love* a Triumph especially as I live incredibly close to their Hinckley factory, but they just don't cut the mustard. Furthermore they don't even build them in the UK any more. Meanwhile my Honda NC750X just plods on mile after mile after mile. Never misses a beat, never lets me down.
An excellent and well balanced review, thanks Freddie. My take on the Speed 400 is that it is intended to be an everyday bike and quite frankly IMO it is a little bit bland to do well over time in the UK market where motorcycling is more of an aspirational pursuit of relatively comfortably off riders. It reminds me of the old Honda Superdream, which is not a bad thing but is not a pedigree Triumph. I think initial demand was quite high in the UK because it has the Triumph badge, but I think that there will be quite a lot of buyers’ remorse given the lack of character and reliability issues. Sorry to be negative and I may be quite wrong on this. I do think it will do well in non-UK markets. Thanks again for a great video.
I have unfortunately got to disagree with the short gearing, I own a Speed 400 myself and think its just perfect. Yes, 1st is short, but its fine thereafter.
The teething problem faults are making me take a step back from buying one, but i would hope that when spring 2025 comes around the majority of these faults would be ironed out. I have read a lot of reviews on the Speed and Scrambler X, and the best modification seems to be increasing the size of the gearbox sprocket by one or two teeth to make the bike better in the lower gears, and also when in top gear for duel carriageway and motorway work.
I love watching your reviews, they are fantastic 👍- unlike that weld under the pillion seat @2:05 😅 I haven't seen anything like that on my Himalayan 450 even the not visible welds under the seat and I guess the Guerrilla 450 is the same.
After 3,000 miles and 8 months of waiting for Triumph to fix it, I sent my Speed 400 down the road and swapped it for a Kawasaki. Potentially a great bike, let down by quality and reliability issues. A plastic Triumph built by Bajaj.
I really like the looks actually, probably more than the other bikes shown. Couldn't put up the the gearing and all the other issues highlighted. I'm staying Japanese- for now.😅
Triumph 400, for export is still made in Thailand. Try the GPX Legend 250 twin, a true baby bonneville. GPX is the Thai manufacturer of the Royal Enfields, and the only Thai vehicle brand.
Royal Enfield are i think diing a 3yr unlimited mileage worldwide warranty on the Guerrilla, like they do on the Himalayan? That counts fir a lot. It gas a mainstand and fork gators. A proper tool kit. And is much better fir a passenger. Good to gave such great chouces in this ckass. You really don't need more. Rire safe 👍
Bikes are meant to be economical, practical and fun but as you said Triumph should’ve gone even more retro with this bike. Still happy with it. The design is timeless the shape of engine, transmission, the tank, the white lines, the way how exhaust comes out of engine, the white screws in black… it make it stand apart from other 400 cc bikes. Looks matter to me
Looks are indeed important but if they hide what is to be a high maintenance experience then the good looks soon wear thin...a bit like marrying the best girl in the class but she turns out to be a money-grabbing hard-work life-sapping effort. At this point you'll wish you married the bland, boring but reliable 'girl-next-door' instead. For that reason I ride a Honda NC750X
Excellent comparison of similar bikes. I’ve owned two of the new Royal Enfield 350s and I agree that they are the best looking. It’s a shame that there are quality control issues with the Triumph. Here in the USA we just got the Himalayan 450. We are probably six to eight months from seeing the Guerrilla. I always hate when people use “character” to describe a motorcycle. When growing up that always meant oil leaks and random electrical failures thanks to Lucas electrics. Fun is the factor that is top in my decision making. It is hard to quantify but I know it when I feel it. Do you think Royal Enfield made a conscious decision to call it a “Gorilla” so we would think it’s a big Monkey?
My only gripe is the delta T logo sprawled across the whole of the tank. The smaller design on the 400x is much nicer looking imo and helps align your perspective along a horizontal line, this T is almost a bit too much of an advertisement than an emblem.
Great video matey….a fair and balanced critique both constructive and critical…can’t get better than that from an independent review!! 👍( ps Coat and boots Freddie?!…look the biz!..I suspect they aren’t motorcycle gear as such but look damned good!…name and brand please 🙏!! 😂😎👍)
Excellent review, Freddie. I agree the REs look better, and tales of serious problems with the Speed 400 are legion. It's the first bike Triumph have produced with this new manufacturing partner and I suspect there are serious quality issues yet to be ironed out. If I was to buy one of these bikes (and it does attract me, if only because of its light weight and my 75 years age - my lovely 2023 Speedmaster chrome doesn't get any easier to push around) I'd wait a year or so.
A great review Freddie. I think Triumph have done a really good job with this bike but I think it lacks a little bit of soul. I too would prefer the Royal Enfield. Not the All New 'Plastic' 350 though. The Guerrilla 452 would be my choice too. Actually I'd probably go for the new Himalayan 452 and tick all the boxes.
The old adage, “You get what you pay for” applies to all these bikes. Flaking powder coat is a common problem on areas subjected to flex, although I would have expected on a centre stand, not a prop stand.
In terms of classic looks, I can't help but wonder, that rear subframe is a bolt-on item. If Triumph wanted to go full retro, it wouldn't be that much of a stretch to mount a flat seat on a straight subframe, with twin shocks connecting to only a slightly different swingarm.
a 16 tooth front sprocket transforms the gears ,gives it longer legs , easy mod😉
Very useful- I’ll pin this comment
@@FreddieDobbsChanging sprockets might change the fuel consumption.
@@Patshes Gearing the bike up will improve fuel consumption. I geared up my MT-10 and it made a positive difference to the fuel economy.
Might put the speedo out if it's a sensor on it
Exactly. But it's probably a tad safer to reduce the wheel sprocket teeth.
Excellent camera work. The production on these videos keeps getting better 🙌🏼
Really appreciate it🤜🏼🤛🏼
Especially the bit at the top of the multi-storey with the music. Camerawork and music worked together for a heist film vibe.
I second that comment!
Very well put together videos
Freddie should consider being a character actor in top shelf theatre or film. Your style is simply brilliant
Yes! He reminds me of Charles Hawtrey.
steady on...!
Absolutely true
Freddie is by far the best motorcycle reviewer on RUclips. Just IMO but he gives you real world information, impressions, an informed and honest opinion and not just numbers and biased badge-snobbery. Love this channel.
Sometimes, i close my eyes or i go to the kitchen while listening to Freddie. And suddenly i feel like, young David Attenborough talking about motorcycle's. Words, sentences, voice tone. And that gives me goosebump, makes me smile.
Keep doing what you're doing Freddie. We love your passion.
And of course we love Monica :)
Hello from Turkey :)
It’s always great to watch a review from someone who’s 6’1” 🤩
what do you mean by this? Lol
Yes truly only people close to 6foot can understand. 😊
Best and more transparent review of the Speed 400 I've seen. No wonder coming from one of the best reviewers. Cheers from Argentina!
love listening to freddie dobbs!
Appreciate it🙌🏻
Awesome review. I'm an owner of the Speed and did suffer a major issue. The bike was stalling during down shift. The dealer was crap, and sadly Triumph didn't do any better. It took two months, and I've been enjoying the heck out of it since.
I’ve had my scrambler 400 x for 2 months and 2000 miles. No issues of any kind. 3.4 liters/100km. Dart fly screen helps a bit at 75 mph. Fabulous bike especially at $5600
Have a go on the Triumph 400 Scrambler... a total hoot... had mine a few months now... loving it
Sir, the way you narrate and film these videos is quite nice. You've got my sub!
I was going to pull the trigger on one of these, pretty bikes, but ended up with a Moto Guzzi V7 stone. 50% more torque than these 400s and I absolutely love it!
IF the money is not a problem...
I was looking at a Speed Twin 1200 or a V7 and went for the V7 and absolutely love it too.
I had a 2023 Moto Guzzi V7 Stone Centenario Ed. that I traded for a 2023 Triumph Speed Twin 900. It was definitely the right decision for me, though the Guzzi is a nice bike. I only had tiny complaints.
I liked the fit & finish better on the Speed Twin, found the engine/transmission much smoother & peppier, and it was lower, which matters to a shorty like me.
I tried to like the V7 and it was not my first Guzzi (had a Breva)l, but I just never bonded with mine.
My husband has the 2023 all-black V7 Stone, but he's much more fond of the Guzzi quirkiness than I am. He had a Le Mans Rosso Corse years ago, but he loves his V7 now. Different strokes, I guess.
Noone contemplates buying a 400 for its torque
@@the.communist true
I went for the interceptor over this as I found it to be more of the modern classic I was looking for (and the 400 was yet available to me). And after hearing about reliability issues, I’m quite glad I made the decision that I did. Great video Freddie. Keep it up.
Int-elligent choice. Kind regards.
Very interesting thanks for sharing this
With the Interceptor you've got the real deal. With collaborations it's smoke & mirrors marketing so you end up with an Indian bike with a Union Jack on its tank, for me that's a total turn off.
@@saltaireorangebicyclechopp8555
A Union Jack on the tank? I just looked at mine and it doesn’t have that.
@@BlackdogADV Take a better look at the Triumph logo mate...
Videos just keep getting better and better! Freddie your presenting style reminds me of the classic, early seasons of Top Gear. Brilliant stuff!
Last weekend me and my friends went from Nottingham to the Lake District, all of us on speed 400s. All 3 bikes been brilliant and really comfortable on the motorway and on the twisties. I highly recommend it
Nothing like watching Mr. Dobbs on a Friday evening with a glass of red. Thank you to you and Monika for keeping us entertained and informed.
Freddies bike review videos are my favorite thing on RUclips. Always look forward to them
Top notch video today! I have a Speed 400 in my stable and love it - not perfect but great to ride. BTW, my side stand is the same - I think it is easy to stand on the small bar and bend it - hence the flaking paint and then rust! The biggest gripe has been the severe delay on accessories.......
Unless I am on a hill I don't bother with first on mine. I pull away in second the majority of the time and it is very happy to do so and it is better for it.
Why it is better for it?
I skip gears all the time in all my bikes. I can do 2-4-6 easily. Freddie says you change gears constantly with this bike, I don’t understand since it has 6 gears like most bikes, so from stop its 6 gears to highway. Feel too many? Skip them. I also like the front sprocket change because the 6th should be longer for lower rpm at 70mph.
From 15:00 to 19:00 is the most important part that we need to hear, thanks Freddie!
Hi Freddie, thanks for another video endorsing the Speed 400. I'm loving mine and she gets a fair amount of attention from folk due to the looks. For Malta, its the perfect commuter, but perfectly capable of hopping over to Europe proper for a tour. Keep up the great content!
I want this motorcycle so much, it's making me rethink my life.
Same boat. But I'm waiting for the bugs to be worked out.
I never thought I would be considering a small low power bike but the light weight, build quality & beauty of this little bike have me tempted
Do it, I down sized to the speed 400 and haven't looked back, its a blast 👍
Watch out for the reliability issues
There are no reliability "issues" that I'm aware of. The bike's selling like hot cake.
@@united23419 we'll see, I've had 2 oil leaks, side engine cover and front sprocket seals.
Hi Freddie - for what it’s worth
RE350 ( I have one) brilliant at very low revs - nothing in mid and nothing in high RPM
T400 not quite as sublime at lowest RPM but a world of useable power mid and high RPM
RE G450 - that Sherpa engine is the Triumph plus a whole lot more urgency
That was my experience of them
Keep up the great work
Have owned this since march same colour, super happy with the bike, no issues whatsoever.
Have enjoyed the bike on group rides, only med i have made is the tail tidy which enhances its looks considerably. Bought a Honda Cb 400 n in 1984, and the starter relay stopped working after only 2 months. The fit and finish on the Triumph is far better also.
@@GPSKULING UK? Which tailtidy did you buy?
I got mine about a month ago. So far the experience is pretty good but there is a jerk in the bike as I shift from 1st to 2nd gear (will get it checked) and the engine has a lot of vibrations( which I am ok with) . Triumph showroom folks told me that triumph is handling quality control even though the bikes are being manufactured by Bajaj (who knows whether it's true) . I did not buy the Enfield because of the weight which I felt is difficult to manage in India's insane traffic as well as the throttle response of the classic 350 is not great. Another bike I seriously considered was the Honda CB350 eventually choose the triumph because for just Rupees 20,000 ( 181 Pounds ) more I was getting double the horsepower and the triumph looks better.
When you visit India or go to Japan please do get a ride on the CB350/GB350 , it is in my opinion a better version of the classic 350 ( though not nearly as good looking ) . Harley Davidson also launched a 440cc bike in collaboration with an Indian company , an impressive bike but has a serious marketing/branding problem because of Harleys past and I don't think they have the confidence to launch it in Europe/North America .
Another exceptionally well made review, thank you very much for the informativ fabulous entertainment. I was into buying the Triumph 400 and after riding it and it’s sibling I ended up buying the Honda cl 500. maybe you should consider this for reviewing…. I found it even more friendly and agile, slightly more power and two cylinder, reliable heritage and affordable… just an opinion from someone enjoying your effort. Godspeed
The Honda is about 30% more expensive. But indeed, a close competitor.
The Guerrilla 450 is another great option, but I found it heavier, less maneuverable and it is harder to reach the ground for shorter riders, despite the 780 mm height, as the arch is wider and makes you open your legs more. That's why I ruled it out. Finally, I have changed my RE Classic 350 for the Speed 400 for its better performance and engine feel, even though I loved the Classic 350, but only for low speed riding.
Been looking at a speed twin for the longest time as a first big bike but liking this 400 a lot, thanks for the review Freddie
Great video as always. Please do a review of RE Hunter 350.
I would love a Triumph Bonneville with a 400cc engine. Triumph should offer this design with all sorts of different engines, from 300cc all the way up to 1200cc
Love your vids Freddie! Please do a review on the new Royal Enfield Bullet 350! Especially the Black Gold model. My favourite looking, retro looking bike. 🙏🙏🙏
SO well executed and entertaining AND, of course, informative. Thanks Freddy!
Do make sure to try out the Scrambler 400x as it would be the more classic looking model of the two.
Brilliant review of this motorbike. I hope to see your review of the scrambler 400X in the future and hear some interesting thoughts on it.
It's a mini rock and roll for a tall guy like yourself. Nice review 👍This is exciting.
went to look at these for the wife , we left with a scrambler 900 😅
Triumph makes quality stuff , I've had 2 speed triples . Rock solid
I just bought a RE Classic 350 to serve as the little bike in my garage. It came down to the Triumph 400X and the Classic 350. So, that tells you where I'm at. My bigger bike is a T100 and I am very happy with it.
The best version of this bike is coming next year, the Thruxton 400. It will be coming because this is the biggest selling bike Triumph has ever had. But of course, seeing those sales of Enfields and Triumphs, Japan will counter with some retro bikes that will certainly be better quality.
Its time for Honda to bring back a modern GB500, a bike 40 years ahead of its time.
Honda already has the GB350 here in India which is similar to the Classic 350 in character but even better in dynamics and refinement. They have the same bike in Japan and Australia as well. It's high time they revived the GB500.
I’ve started my riding on a svartpilen 401. After a year I want to upgrade. This looks appealing but suspect this may not be much of an upgrade. Thinking maybe continental 650. Great video as usual Freddie
Do you plan an everyday life test with the Guerrilla 450 as well? Would be highly interesting besides your existing review of the release event!
How do you say it? "Captivating", this must be the best adjective to describe that intro. Well done👍👍
I've had the immobilizer issue, right out of the dealer, which was fixed with an update on 1st service. My only issue since is that my clutch cable keeps getting looser with time so I have to fiddle with it every couple of months. A price I happily pay though because other than that this bike is just sublime, so much fun. Bought for some side fun, but it relegated my 650cc to the weekends only, if even!
That being said, I've heard from a lot of people about a lot of issues and if you're unfortunate enough to be having the most dangerous ones like the bike stalling on downshifts, please have it fixed or get rid of it, definitely not worth a crash.
Get rid of it? U mean sell it to someone who can have the crash for you?
Great review and I largely concur with all your findings , but there is one other bike you REALLY need to test in this sector ! .. A genuine hidden gem , the Honda CL500 .
Forget any preconceptions about looks the CL is huge on the fun factor scale , can easily be purchased for the same price as the Triumph and has 100% bullet proof reliability and build quality ... Plus the looks grow on you and it actually has real character , it's so chuckable and entertaining to ride ...A spot of light off-roading? carving through traffic? cruising at 80? 100mph top end? all no problem, and you just know it will be as dependable as the day is long . Try to get a test on one , the higher brown seat option will fit you best ... David 😊PS ... And that is speaking as a Triumph Fan Boy !!
I just wanted to post something like that. Cl 500, i kinda miss mine…
@WyreForestBiker couldn't agree more about the Honda, fantastic bike.
Good review & I like the honesty about some of the reported problems.
I'm picking mine up tomorrow. I love the modern classic styling, that was a real selling point for me. I was tempted by the new model Svartpilen 401 with all the features on the dash but the overall style & the Triumph brand had to win out. Hopefully I don't encounter any issues but the Consumer Guarantees Act is pretty strong in NZ, so I don't think I'll have any problems claiming anything under the warranty.
Good camera work Monika ! Great vid 👍
A great review Freddy. Would you recommend this for a first time bike owner ?
As an owner of the classic 350. I never think about avoiding roads, never worry about the power unless my friends suggest a little race. Gets you where you need to go; with style, a beautiful sound, extremely easy serviceability, and a whole lot of smiles.
(if you’re ever concerned about power, get a stage 2 air filter + about 2000 kms of riding, the engine really opens up at that point, and you’ll find the only limiting factor, is your own determination…and maybe overtaking other vehicles XD)
It's not the lack of power with the RE350 that's an issue, it's the artificially limited top speed. If RE allowed it a real world 80MPH it would be much better.
@@stephenb134 yeah definitely agree, thats why i made the little joke about the overtaking ability. cant overtake anything of highways because of being limited.
Had the bike for a little over a month. 1000+ miles in and no issues. Superb bike. No idea what all the hate is for from some people. Very sad lol.
Used to own a tiger cub back in the 60s but was a 200cc as l recall enjoy your vids Freddie keep em coming 😉
Personally, I really like the look of the Speed 400.
I think it strikes the right balance of being "Modern Classic" as Triumph call it. It has retro inspiration but it's definitely not pretending to be an old bike.
I actually have an old bike (1963 Honda CB72) and I want to buy a Speed 400 as a modern bike to ride.
I don't want a new bike pretending to be a classic.
The Royal Enfield Classic 350 looks so authentic that they actually are convincing, partly because of the old fashioned air-cooled engine. For the Speed 400 to have 40hp it had to be liquid cooled, and you can't really hide a radiator on a single cylinder naked bike, so they don't have the option of making a convincing classic bike replica. I think of it as a well-dressed KTM 390 Duke, it will give you modern high-rpm performance and also look much more appropriate outside a country bakery than a KTM.
I was considering changing in my 2021 Yamaha MT-03 for a Triumph Speed 400, but after having heard of a couple of cases where metal has been found in the oil (4,000 mile area) allegedly caused by timing chain rub, I'm sticking with the Yam, which has been faultless over the 3 years & 7,500 miles that I've owned it.
The 400 has much more torque on low revs.
I love your videos, i truly find its uniqueness so pleasing
I have a tiger cub from 1964 same age as me. Ive had it from the age of 17 doesn’t get ridden much only on nice dry sunny days
That describes my wife.
So what is the use of gear 1 to 5 if they get used from 0 to 35mph? And from there its al gear 6. What is the design thought behind that?
Hi Freddie,
Great perspective per usual!
Was wondering if you could start doing a mailer/article/video series about motorcycle culture, philosophy, design, history and art type stuff!
I apologise if something like this already exists and I couldn’t find it!
Have a good one!
Very interesting Freddie, I have my DAS at the end of this month, the Triumph Speed 400 and the RE Guerrilla are at the top of my list, Lots of points to think about
Good luck with your DAS. I passed my test 2 years ago and went for a Honda rebel 500 as a first big bike but in hindsight wish I had gone for the triumph scrambler 900. With a 500, you’ll soon be wanting more torque. In my opinion anyway.
Good luck with the DAS. The competition at this end of the market is huge and with the bike shows just round the corner, there’s a plethora of new models on the way, so if you can hang on, I’d wait to see what new offerings are on their way.
I love my speed 400. But part of me always wanted that twin shock, so that it would look more retro.
It's great that there are so many choices in this segment now. I definitely prefer the looks of the Guerilla, and the Classic 350 can't be touched it's such an icon. However, a 400 Bonnie must be on the horizon, and if they get the styling right......could be a game changer.
Epic end note Freddie!! Bravo!
I'm doing my best to uncool the Triumph by owning one same colour with fly screen and rad guard.
The bike has its issues no centre stand & no threaded holes for paddock stand bobbins, relatively difficult to access chain, the front mudguard is too short and to be fair the Enfield competition in top trims has a better screen and like you the gearing.
Gremlins exist in the bike of course it takes a couple of years to iron them out every mass produced vehicle is the same.
To be fair it's very cool looking at least with you riding it it's fast enoug. RE 350s are nice but 10hp would fix it's pace problems, they need to develop that unit maybe a large oil cooler so it can handle the heat produced.
RE need to sort out their too short service intervals it's a new century we expect better.
Maybe a set of clubman bars and a different more growling exhaust would give the Speed 4000 a bit of hooliganism rebel cool. Love mine and all I’ve added were Blue Puig levers and knee pads. 😊
Freddie your presentation is epic loving it from 🇿🇼
I kinda think the ‘rock n roll’ will come in time. It’s almost like they have released the speed/street twin version and we await the T100 Bonneville version.
A baby bonnie would be ‘cute’.
Your storytelling with all the emotions coming from your heart more than the intellect makes it more meaningful and heart touching. More than all the bikes it about what we can think of looking at your stories. Thanku 😊
Good honest review. Surprised at the build quality issues
Well done Freddie and Monika.
Great video Freddie. I think Triumph have positioned themselves quite well in this market. It has a good balance between the modern/retro look and the price means more people can aquire the cool retro Triumph image .
A major issue I feel they have however is the quality across their range. I purchased the beautiful Scrambler 1200 xe. Last of the good spec version before the year model 24 came out. I bought it new. Really looked after it. This season of riding, however, it started consuming oil 1.5 ltrs in just 3k. Coolant constantly coming from the weep hole. Also, a warning msg that was stating a gearbox fault. Was told both fluid issues were within Triumph tolerances. The warning on the tft could never be traced, so could never be removed. According to the manager, they even had a response from HQ, which I'm guessing was from Hinckley stating it was something I'd have to live with every time I started the bike. After it's first service, I sold the bike back to them (at a loss) due to the lack of support with their warranty. Totally gutted as the only bikes I love are Within the triumph range but with quality issues and the lack of help from dealers means that I'm now without a bike I absolutely loved to bits and not sure what to go for next. I still love the Triumph brand and they get the looks right on every model they produce, but the lack of faith in the after sales support will stop me from purchasing another which is a real shame tbh.
If you want a fabulous well built 400 single from India then it has to be the Royal Enfield Guerrilla. A much more serious bike with legendary Enfield build quality, sold in much better colours and it's even cheaper than the Triumph. It's mid range torque is superb, it's handling is spot on and it's frugal.
Hey Freddie, would you ever consider riding / reviewing the Maeving RM1S? I would love your views on the bike.
Fantastic review Freddie. Also really appreciated the end note about wanting a bit more rock n roll. I agree but Id venture to say with these 400 bikes and the new speedtwin 1200rs (with the lack of analog clock) and the discontinuation of the Thruxton line, Triumph has lost their way a bit with the 'classic' portion of the 'modern classic' term that they use to live by. At this point if i want modern Ill go Ducati and if i want classic Ill go Royal Enfield. No need to go with Triumph when theyre not great at either right now. That said, i own two triumphs and a ducati right all prior to 2023 model years. I geuss next bikes wont be Triumphs sadly.
Pertinent comment. I quite fancy a triumph that oozes character and looks and have reached the conclusion the America is the one for me...
i really want your review of the hunter 350 bro and compare it with the speed 400. Great work Freddie, weird sound in the last videos but good anyways, Greetings from Mexico!!
Really wanted a triumph unfortunately so expensive here in OZ so I brought a scram 411 and I love it
Agree with your comment about the Guerilla. Rode the triumph but the RE comes across as the naughty school kid that might get you both into Friday detention. So I bought the RE.
Excellent review, Freddie!
Wow so many issues , here in Australia I can imagine the bike becoming a garden ornament , maybe put a garden gnome on it .Honda and Kawasaki, Yamaha ,Suzuki any day .
15000km on my brilliant 23 Versys 650 , 9000kms on my brilliant Honda Transalp 750 no issues , never had to get a replacement part .
Yep, I'm with you on this. Freddy starts by telling us how good this machine is then over the rest of the video bit by bit dismantles it for its issues. I would *love* a Triumph especially as I live incredibly close to their Hinckley factory, but they just don't cut the mustard. Furthermore they don't even build them in the UK any more. Meanwhile my Honda NC750X just plods on mile after mile after mile. Never misses a beat, never lets me down.
An excellent and well balanced review, thanks Freddie.
My take on the Speed 400 is that it is intended to be an everyday bike and quite frankly IMO it is a little bit bland to do well over time in the UK market where motorcycling is more of an aspirational pursuit of relatively comfortably off riders. It reminds me of the old Honda Superdream, which is not a bad thing but is not a pedigree Triumph.
I think initial demand was quite high in the UK because it has the Triumph badge, but I think that there will be quite a lot of buyers’ remorse given the lack of character and reliability issues. Sorry to be negative and I may be quite wrong on this. I do think it will do well in non-UK markets.
Thanks again for a great video.
With its competitors available, anyone would prefer RE over this. Even for me, the bike looks very basic but great one to drive none the less.
I have unfortunately got to disagree with the short gearing, I own a Speed 400 myself and think its just perfect. Yes, 1st is short, but its fine thereafter.
Thanks to Triumph and Royal Enfield for giving us such great options.
The teething problem faults are making me take a step back from buying one, but i would hope that when spring 2025 comes around the majority of these faults would be ironed out.
I have read a lot of reviews on the Speed and Scrambler X, and the best modification seems to be increasing the size of the gearbox sprocket by one or two teeth to make the bike better in the lower gears, and also when in top gear for duel carriageway and motorway work.
I love watching your reviews, they are fantastic 👍- unlike that weld under the pillion seat @2:05 😅 I haven't seen anything like that on my Himalayan 450 even the not visible welds under the seat and I guess the Guerrilla 450 is the same.
After 3,000 miles and 8 months of waiting for Triumph to fix it, I sent my Speed 400 down the road and swapped it for a Kawasaki.
Potentially a great bike, let down by quality and reliability issues.
A plastic Triumph built by Bajaj.
What was the problem?
@@Flowers-f9m immobiliser, non start, defect on pedal
@@philboyes2669 I've had 2 oil leaks and a starting problem, hopefully that's it.
I really like the looks actually, probably more than the other bikes shown. Couldn't put up the the gearing and all the other issues highlighted. I'm staying Japanese- for now.😅
Nice video again and i bet a BMW G650 Xcountry would match the Speed 400 in the City
Wait until the RE 650 Classic comes out ...... all boxes ticked! 😁
Triumph 400, for export is still made in Thailand. Try the GPX Legend 250 twin, a true baby bonneville. GPX is the Thai manufacturer of the Royal Enfields, and the only Thai vehicle brand.
Royal Enfield are i think diing a 3yr unlimited mileage worldwide warranty on the Guerrilla, like they do on the Himalayan? That counts fir a lot.
It gas a mainstand and fork gators.
A proper tool kit.
And is much better fir a passenger.
Good to gave such great chouces in this ckass.
You really don't need more.
Rire safe 👍
Perfect timing I literally just bought this bike in Caspian Blue about 2 hours ago. Pick it up on Saturday.
With all of the issues he raised you must now be gutted you didn't choose a Honda.
@@BibTheBoulderTheOriginalOneNo, I have functioning testicles.
@@BibTheBoulderTheOriginalOne what a sad sad little man
@@HershalHerowitz Oh dear...hit a nerve have I.....
@@BibTheBoulderTheOriginalOne nah just like to call out Fanny’s when I find them on the internet 🤣
Bikes are meant to be economical, practical and fun but as you said Triumph should’ve gone even more retro with this bike. Still happy with it. The design is timeless the shape of engine, transmission, the tank, the white lines, the way how exhaust comes out of engine, the white screws in black… it make it stand apart from other 400 cc bikes. Looks matter to me
Looks are indeed important but if they hide what is to be a high maintenance experience then the good looks soon wear thin...a bit like marrying the best girl in the class but she turns out to be a money-grabbing hard-work life-sapping effort. At this point you'll wish you married the bland, boring but reliable 'girl-next-door' instead. For that reason I ride a Honda NC750X
Excellent comparison of similar bikes. I’ve owned two of the new Royal Enfield 350s and I agree that they are the best looking. It’s a shame that there are quality control issues with the Triumph. Here in the USA we just got the Himalayan 450. We are probably six to eight months from seeing the Guerrilla. I always hate when people use “character” to describe a motorcycle. When growing up that always meant oil leaks and random electrical failures thanks to Lucas electrics. Fun is the factor that is top in my decision making. It is hard to quantify but I know it when I feel it. Do you think Royal Enfield made a conscious decision to call it a “Gorilla” so we would think it’s a big Monkey?
My only gripe is the delta T logo sprawled across the whole of the tank. The smaller design on the 400x is much nicer looking imo and helps align your perspective along a horizontal line, this T is almost a bit too much of an advertisement than an emblem.
What jacket is that you have? love the retro look of it
Great video matey….a fair and balanced critique both constructive and critical…can’t get better than that from an independent review!! 👍( ps Coat and boots Freddie?!…look the biz!..I suspect they aren’t motorcycle gear as such but look damned good!…name and brand please 🙏!! 😂😎👍)
Excellent review, Freddie. I agree the REs look better, and tales of serious problems with the Speed 400 are legion. It's the first bike Triumph have produced with this new manufacturing partner and I suspect there are serious quality issues yet to be ironed out. If I was to buy one of these bikes (and it does attract me, if only because of its light weight and my 75 years age - my lovely 2023 Speedmaster chrome doesn't get any easier to push around) I'd wait a year or so.
Thanks for keeping it real.
That back end of cobbled together plastic doesn't work.
A great review Freddie. I think Triumph have done a really good job with this bike but I think it lacks a little bit of soul. I too would prefer the Royal Enfield. Not the All New 'Plastic' 350 though. The Guerrilla 452 would be my choice too. Actually I'd probably go for the new Himalayan 452 and tick all the boxes.
The old adage, “You get what you pay for” applies to all these bikes. Flaking powder coat is a common problem on areas subjected to flex, although I would have expected on a centre stand, not a prop stand.
In terms of classic looks, I can't help but wonder, that rear subframe is a bolt-on item. If Triumph wanted to go full retro, it wouldn't be that much of a stretch to mount a flat seat on a straight subframe, with twin shocks connecting to only a slightly different swingarm.