That's the business model for stuff like printers, where the printers themselves serve almost as loss leaders and the real profit margin is in the consumables. Doesn't work with bikes tho, as the importer will only enjoy limited profit from certain consumables during the warranty period. Parts will still be under warranty, which means there's no money to be made there. They can only make money from parts outside the warranty period, and even then they won't be the only source for parts. And big bikes simply don't command the volume to drive the sale of parts for the business to depend on. So overall, this kind of approach is too much to hedge your bet on if you're a business.

Bottom line, old-fashioned market share leading to profit from bike sales is still where it's at. Bike sales have a multiplier effect as they build brand equity and loyalty which create a sales loop when customers upgrade to a bigger or newer model. Triumph is starting to realize this, hence its strategic collaboration with Bajaj to develop accessible lower cc offerings to entice new and younger riders (esp those in Asia) into its ecosystem who have all the years ahead of them as potentially loyal fanboys.

And it is for this exact same reason that Harley is struggling, as it had spent decades building its brand around the older demographic that has a limited lifespan as customers which hurts bike sales. It is forced to rely on disgustingly fat margins per bike, but without that sales loop it's hard to have a future. Bike brands need new and younger riders to drive sales and keep them going.

Gps 143km/h @ ~9k rpm....

This post has been edited by basilisk: Nov 22 2023, 08:03 PM

https://www.facebook.com/groups/13843451087...mibextid=Nif5oz

Seems there's a lot more to what was reported in this story...

Read about it here :

https://www.topspeed.com/spied-triumph-400c...7VQlbFwGY5MP2nw

IF it does come...would anyone be interested in this? And, hmmm, the million-dollar question...how much would it probably sell for? 400 cc single, liquid cooled. What would it compete with?

RE Hunter 350 & Scram 411 are the most direct competitors under RM30k, in which case it would come down to the perceived value of the logo on the tank coz there's no point buying this type of bike for its performance specs. Other 400cc singles like BMW G310 & KTM Duke 390 are above that and they don't have the timeless retro charm.

Me, if I wanted a retro-looking bike at that price, I'd look at a used RE Interceptor 650.... but I'm biased coz I'm such a sucker for 270-deg twins.

This post has been edited by ZZR-Pilot: Jan 21 2024, 01:30 AM

anyone bought speed 400 at Rm26900?

Been eyeing on this bike as well. Any reviews?

Best place will be indian bike forum team bhp.

I test ride both the scrambler 400 and the speed 400 recently.

The speed is very light on its feet, good balance, narrow making it a perfect city commuter bike. Looks good to boot as well. Power wise, it's to be expected of a 400, which worded mildly, sufficient for city ride. Highway rides may be asking a bit too much if you plan to cruise comfortably at 150. Vibrations are quite well controlled. Build quality and fit and finish is the best out of India so far.

My only beef is the throttle maps are very very conservative. Makes for an easy smooth ride but kills some of the engine characteristics of a single. Low end grunt.


My choice would be the scrambler though. Feels like a more substantial bike. It does have a taller 830mm seat, but the seat is narrow so not has hard to get your feet down. It's significantly taller than the 790mm seat on the speed 400 which I can flat foot with my 166cm height.

If you plan on doing mostly highway runs, better look to get something with more than 1 cylinder.


I would still avoid the comparable REs given the price they go for here. The older Himalayan and scram 411 is very underpowered, and the new water-cooled 450s are not here yet....don't mind them if they are cheap...but not for the price they are here. Much better bikes to be had.

I'm planning to use it as my daily bike to work (KL). Do you think Scrambler still better than Speed in traffic jams, etc?

sounds like india build issue..

The service interval for Triumph Speed 400 is at 16K KM

impressive or asking for trouble?

Msia mentality is 5k km oni ler... lol

If just solely for city ride. The smaller speed4 is better. Narrower handlebar and lower seat height. 30mm and 40mm less each dimension. Easy to flat foot 2 feet.

30mm width less than the scrambler may not seem much, but at 790mm wide, it's still wider than most kapchais...mostly less than 700mm if you plan to cilok like a kapchai.

This post has been edited by jaycee1: May 21 2024, 01:13 PM

Manufacturer suggest every 16K KM.
Dealer suggest every 10K KM.

Thanks for the info. Will definitely go with the Speed.

Good write up for the Speed 400. The RE Hunter 350 looks nice but is way too underpowered for the asking price.

https://www.motorcyclenews.com/advice/group...78OBo42A46K_s5y

I am still contemplating between the new 400/X vs the 2nd hand 6 years old Twin 900 for a little bit more. Been reading the posts in FB group and it seems that the bike surely have a big QA issues but the one sold here seem to be assembled in Thailand, though the parts still coming ftom Bajaj plant. Get assured that those teething problems are easily resolved but these bikes were launched last year in India, so they should have resolved many of the issues ain't it?