Triumph Speed 400

[eljayski]

Hello!
I'm new to Guzzi so I'm not about to go gallivanting off to a different marque; in fact, I've observed that the Bonneville T-100 has nothing on my V7 Special.
Still, checked out the Triumph site and saw the Speed 400. Looks like a great ride for back roads . . .
Anyone with experience and/or observations?
Many thanks, eljayski

[JJ]

QUOTE:  I've observed that the Bonneville T-100 has nothing on my V7 Special...

I'd be curious to know your pros and cons between your V7 Special Guzzi and the Triumph T100...

A buddy of mine who has about 25 different bikes of all makes, models, and sizes, just bought a new Speed 400...
He rode it from Grand Junction, CO back to Prescott.  No issues, and he likes it a lot for the little "TIDDLER" that it is!

[eljayski]

I'd be curious to know your pros and cons between your V7 Special Guzzi and the Triumph T100...

I'll play! Comparable price tags but the V7 is a little less expensive, equivalent displacement and horsepower, 6-speed instead of 5-speed, and the biggie, shaft drive!

Can't say I don't love the look of the Bonneville, it's killer!

I imagine the T120 is in a different league, 79 hp and 6-speed tranny, same stunning good looks! 

[DoubleGuzzi]

Missus got a little used one - the bike, not me!  I even put a grand into the funds for it. 
I've only had a quick spin on it though reckon it's excellent. Others have had a couple of minor issues with this new range but nothing to report here, except for the paint on the frame under the seat is worn through with less than 600 miles on it! Perhaps PO had done something silly.
It's got a needlessly tall saddle height for us shorties and a bigger front sprocket should be supplied, for better gearing.
With the benefit of hindsight, I'd had bought a V7 Carbon instead of Street Twin (replaced a 955 ST) and a Speed 400 instead of the Breva (replaced a Ducati M600).
Performance = plenty. Fuel economy - wow!

[kidsmoke]

My riding crew here in Indy is disproportionately Triumph T100's. Doesn't hurt that we have (arguably) the finest Triumph dealer in the country, both sales and service.  Solid bike, and of course, the benchmark vintage looks. My buddy just added a V7 III to his stable, and the Bonnie has barely left the garage since. He states repeatedly he can't believe how much he loves the Guzzi, and cites off the line torque as reason A and ergos as reason B. He's been on Bonnies for decades so he's not completely walking away, but glad to be polyamorous.

Chuck (Chuck in Indiana) will be along to comment on his current affection for a Speed 400 he acquired last summer. Chuck has a long and notable relationship with Guzzi, but throws no shade at any marque. It's all about the bike. And he digs his 400. In my corner, that's a hell of a endorsement.

[JJ]

All good comments!!   Ya gotta love these features on the Guzzi!

[kingoffleece]

My buds back east who I rode with for years on Triumphs bikes have the 400 Scrambler version of the new 400.  They love them-ride them all over state park gravel and dirt roads and some single track.

[tommy2cyl]

I took delivery of my green  400 X Scrambler mid March this year.  It was exactly what I was looking for.  Bike has excellent fit and finish
and the motor is a little gem.  Easily can run at 80 MPH  plus but the  sweet spot is 55 to 70 mph.  Good low down pull and not vibey to me at all but that's always a very individualistic assessment.  I have 1700 miles on mine so far.  You can travel over to ADVRider thread on
these bikes and get as much info as you desire.  Suspension is a little stiff and Rally Raid now has some options to upgrade front and rear.
Bike is made in India in conjunction with Bajaj.  From my perspective I don't know how they can manage to sell such a sweet bike for $5595.00
(that's for the Scrambler, the Speed is $500 less.)   

[twowheeladdict]

A friend of mine picked up a used Triumph Scrambler 400.  I got to take it for a ride.  It is a larger than expected motorcycle and was fun to bomb around the backroads where we live. 

The only Triumph calling my name is the Scrambler1200 XE, but way too much money for what you get.  Amazing suspension though. 

[guzzisteve]

I also looked at the site & noticed a 450 plus a 250 but no lites but more suited for backwoods.

[twowheeladdict]

I took delivery of my green  400 X Scrambler mid March this year.  It was exactly what I was looking for.  Bike has excellent fit and finish
and the motor is a little gem.  Easily can run at 80 MPH  plus but the  sweet spot is 55 to 70 mph.  Good low down pull and not vibey to me at all but that's always a very individualistic assessment.  I have 1700 miles on mine so far.  You can travel over to ADVRider thread on
these bikes and get as much info as you desire.  Suspension is a little stiff and Rally Raid now has some options to upgrade front and rear.
Bike is made in India in conjunction with Bajaj.  From my perspective I don't know how they can manage to sell such a sweet bike for $5595.00
(that's for the Scrambler, the Speed is $500 less.)

If only you could buy it for $5595.  The lowest price I have found is $7200 before tax, tag, and registration. 

[Chuck in Indiana]

I don't have a bad thing to say about the Speed 400. It looks bitchin' has excellent build quality, enough power to get on the interstate if you *have* to, anti lock brakes that can be turned off if necessary. Riding position is very comfortable, and vibration is almost nonexistent..certai nly not intrusive.
I was dealing with plantar fasciitis from June through October this year, and the AeroLario's riding position didn't agree with my shifter foot. The Triumph was er..ok, so I rode it to the Kentucky rally with The Kid. No issues on a trip, you just have to get used to the high rpm. In the twisties, you run 6-8000 rpm instead of 4-6000 on a Guzzi. Torque peak is 6500. Good oem tires, too. I was talking to a guy at the rally and he was looking at my tires and said, "it looks like it handles pretty well."  :smiley:I just told him it was better than I am.
Oh. Did I mention Cheap? (Guzzi content)

[tommy2cyl]

If only you could buy it for $5595.  The lowest price I have found is $7200 before tax, tag, and registration.

Mine was $5595 + $620.00 shipping + tax + registration:  Total was $6995.00 OTD.
Shipping seems a bit high but that is the way the game is played today.    Registration and DOC fees were around $250.00. 
No additional dealer prep. fees. 

[faffi]

CW dyno test https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hF1h6ZjN-iE&pp=ygUdY3ljbGUgd29ybGQgdHJpdW1waCA0MDAgZHl1bm8%3D

Three things stood out to me: 1. It will accelerate from 2000 rpm in 4th. 2. 4th hits the limiter already at 70 mph! 3. It revs REALLY quickly in neutral

[Chuck in Indiana]

CW dyno test https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hF1h6ZjN-iE&pp=ygUdY3ljbGUgd29ybGQgdHJpdW1waCA0MDAgZHl1bm8%3D

Three things stood out to me: 1. It will accelerate from 2000 rpm in 4th. 2. 4th hits the limiter already at 70 mph! 3. It revs REALLY quickly in neutral

That's about what I expected to see. Torque is really flat and comes on early, too. It's a sweet little powerplant.  At first I thought I'd need to change the countershaft sprocket by one tooth, but the more I ride it, I like the pull for passing without changing down. If I had one change it would be to change the ratios in the transmission so first would be more useful. (shrug)
I likes it..

[Alfetta]

All good comments!!   Ya gotta love these features on the Guzzi!

item1; LOVE IT
item2; Like it
item3; Like it
item4; could not care less
item5; HATE IT

[slopokes]

Have 6k on my scrambler x—it is a fun bike in the two lane hill country and going to work in beautiful Paterson,nj— crazy high fuel mileage—like my v85 more on the highway…