Triumph Speed 400 vs Honda CB300R Compared Through 10 Images

Both the Speed 400 and the CB300R are two bikes that nail the ‘neo’ in neo-retro

With the launch of the Speed 400, Triumph brought in a roadster that truly seems to strike the perfect balance between retro appeal and modern kit. And with that, it joins the Honda CB300R, which up until now was the only true-blue sub-500cc neo-retro bike. So how does the British bike match up against its Japanese rival? Let’s have a look: 

Design 

While both bikes’ design leans towards the retro side of things, the Speed 400 looks a tad bit more so, with its round mirrors and console and fins on the engine. And the Speed’s slimmer-looking tank and overall compact dimensions make it look like the smaller bike of the two. So if you want that big bike feel, the CB300R might serve you better. 

Don’t let the looks fuel you though. The Speed 400 has a bigger (13-litre) fuel tank as well as a longer wheelbase (1377mm). 

Engine

The biggest difference between them though, is their hearts. Underneath the CB300R’s gorgeous styling is a 286cc liquid-cooled engine making 31.1PS and 27.5Nm, figures that are quite decent for its capacity. 

But then there’s no replacement for displacement, eh? Despite what its fins suggest, the Speed 400’s 398cc engine is a liquid-cooled one and makes a solid 40PS and 37.5Nm, both of which are made 1000rpm lower than where the CB makes its peak power and torque. Yes, at 176kg, the Speed 400 weighs 30kg more than the CB300R, but we expect the extra power and torque to make up for it. 

Underpinnings

Both bikes pack premium kit. The Speed 400’s 43mm inverted Big Piston fork has a bigger diameter than the CB300R’s 41mm Showa fork and while both monoshocks are preload-adjustable, the Speed 400’s remote adjuster is a big touch of convenience. 

But the biggest card the Speed has up its sleeve in terms of underpinnings, are its Apollo Alpha H1 tyres, ones that are quite grippy and should complement its extra performance well. 

Features

While they both pack different features, none of them will really impress you with its features. The Honda’s negative LCD console has a speedometer, odometer, fuel level readout, temperature and time.  The Speed 400’s semi-digital console might sound like the more dated one but is pretty info-laden, with a gear position indicator, distance-to-empty readout, and tell-tale lights.

Our one gripe with it though, is Triumph opting to go for an analogue speedometer. If something had to be made analogue, it should’ve been the tachometer. The rev-meter dancing around in a circular motion is a pleasure to see when riding the bike hard, something we’ve previously experienced on the previous-gen Street Triples.

Price

If the Speed 400 hasn’t won you over already, wait till you hear that it costs Rs 2.33 lakh (ex-showroom), a whopping Rs 44,000 less than the CB300R! So yes, on paper, the Speed 400 beats its Japanese rival without breaking a sweat. How the bike is against it in the real world, is something that should be fun to see.

We’ve already ridden the Speed and our review drops on this Friday at 5pm. Stay tuned to BikeDekho for it!