Triumph Speed 400, Harley-Davidson X440 vs every other rival

In the span of just a few days, the entry-level premium motorcycle space has been blown wide open with the launch of the Triumph Speed 400 and Harley-Davidson X440. Here, we’ll take you through how both these bikes compete with their mainstream rivals from other OEMs in terms of price.  

Royal Enfield

The single largest player in this segment is Royal Enfield and it has gone largely unchallenged all these years. The Hunter 350, launched less than a year ago, has already crossed the 1 lakh unit sales milestone, and it’s not hard to see why. The Hunter looks great, is easy enough to manage for both seasoned and new riders alike, and above all, sports a tempting price tag, costing between Rs 1.49 lakh-Rs 1.75 lakh.

The Classic 350 has been the company’s bestselling motorcycle for many years now and a large part of that is due to oodles of old-school charm  it has despite its modern underpinnings. Available in a variety of paint schemes and even an accessory navigation pod, the Classic 350 is priced between Rs 1.90 lakh-Rs 2.21 lakh. 

In sheer performance terms, the larger twin-cylinder 650s are more comparable to the Triumph Speed 400 but they also cost significantly more. The Interceptor 650 costs between Rs 3.03 lakh – Rs 3.31 lakh, while the Continental GT 650 costs between Rs 3.11 lakh-Rs 3.45 lakh.  

KTM

Ever since it entered the Indian market over a decade ago, KTM has been synonymous with affordable and seriously fast machines. Over the years, with stricter emission standards and updates, the bikes have gotten significantly heavier and more expensive. Despite that, it remains the go-to choice for people who want a no-holds-barred sporty riding experience at a relatively affordable price point. 

In the price range that the new H-D and Triumph bikes currently sit, you can alternatively opt for the KTM 250 Duke (Rs 2.38 lakh) or the KTM 390 Duke (Rs 2.97 lakh). Both bikes share similar underpinnings but the 390 has more features and, no surprise here, the more powerful engine. However, the next-gen KTM 390 Duke appears to be ready for launch and if the persisting rumours surrounding it are to be believed, it’s going to sport a larger 399cc single-cylinder engine. 

Honda

Honda’s CB350 range includes the H’ness and RS models and much like the RE 350s, they have pleasing neo-retro looks, an air-cooled engine and a 5-speed gearbox. Where these bikes fall short is in the painfully tall gearing, which doesn’t allow you to exploit the true potential of the engine without constant gear shifts to keep it in the meat of the powerband. The H’ness CB350 costs between Rs 2.09 lakh – Rs 2.15 lakh, while the CB350RS commands between Rs 2.14 lakh – Rs 2.17 lakh. 

Much like RE’s 350 lineup, Honda’s 350 twins can’t match up to the Triumph Speed 400 on the grounds of sheer performance. That’s where the Rs 2.77 lakh CB300R comes in. With its modern liquid-cooled mill and a lithe 146 kg kerb weight, this bike is more a Triumph Speed 400 rival than its air-cooled brethren. 

But the catch here is, these bikes are only sold through the BigWing dealer network which limits their reach compared to the other offerings with more widespread dealer networks. 

BMW

The Bavarian bikemaker has the Rs 2.85 lakh G 310 R in this segment and it remains one of the most accessible offerings courtesy of its low 785mm seat height and its rather light 164kg kerb weight. Much like the latest entrants in this space, the G 310 R is intended to make the BMW badge more accessible. 

Bajaj

Speaking of KTM, Bajaj has its own derivative in this space, the Dominar 400. However, where the manic KTM is all about exploring the rpm band in every gear, the Dominar 400 is instead about gobbling up the miles all day long. Despite the fact that the Dominar costs just Rs 2.29 lakh and has proven mechanicals, it hasn’t really set the sales chart on fire. 

Classic Legends

The Mahindra-owned subsidiary has a couple of roadster offerings under the Yezdi and Jawa badges. Costing between Rs 2.06 lakh-Rs 2.12 lakh, the Yezdi Roadster is the more modern offering here and also uses the larger 334cc mill, from the Jawa Perak. Meanwhile, the Jawa 42, uses the smaller 293cc mill and is priced more accessibly (Rs 1.96 lakh-Rs 1.97 lakh). It was recently updated with minor improvements to the engine internals and bestowed with a slip/assist clutch.

All prices are ex-showroom, Delhi.