Best Entry-Level/Lightweight Motorcycle of 2024: Triumph Speed 400

It seems fitting to kick things off with what is arguably the most important category to motorcycling as a whole. The entry-level and/or lightweight segment of motorcycles are most likely to be the machines to bring new riders into the fold or welcome back those who’ve spent some time away from the sport. Over the past decade, we’ve seen dozens of fantastic models introduced to this category, but only in more recent years have we seen these machines transition from being budget-based to genuinely great lightweight motorcycles that any crusty ol’ biker can appreciate.

For 2024’s Entry-level/Lightweight MOBO, the all-new Triumph Speed 400 steals the spotlight with solid pricing and build quality straight out of the gate. Triumph has been on a roll lately, and that’s including venturing into entirely new segments for the British marque in the modern era – dirtbikes and road-going Singles. The Speed 400 and Scrambler 400 X are the first examples of Triumph’s partnership with Indian manufacturer, Bajaj. Both machines use a fuel-injected, liquid-cooled, 398cc Single with a four-valve DOHC cylinder head and a counter-rotating balancer shaft. Triumph claims a peak output of 39.5 hp at 8,000 rpm and 27.7 lb-ft. at 6,500 rpm. A slip and assist clutch works with the six-speed gearbox to quell botched downshifts and keep pull at the lever light. Bosch ABS is standard. Only time and miles will tell regarding reliability (service intervals are set for 10,000 miles), but during our First Ride, we came away impressed with Triumph’s first foray into the category.

The Speed 400 is the road-focused version of the two new machines. As a guy who likes to get dirt under his tires, my immediate inclination was that I’d gravitate toward the Scrambler, and I did initially. It wasn’t until riding the Speed 400 afterward that I realized just how much fun it could be. The tighter ergonomic triangle makes the bike feel smaller than the Scrambler, but its smaller, lighter wheels and more aggressive brake pads deliver a sporting experience far above what the Scrambler offers. The new ride isn’t without fault, as the solid-mounted engine does transmit some vibes despite featuring a counterbalancer, but again, out of the gate, Triumph has produced a machine that looks right at home next to its ever-popular Modern Classic lineup, and at $5,195 (a $200 increase over its original $4,995 MSRP), riders looking at this category have an excellent option with classic style. And for that, Triumph takes the first W in our 2024 Motorcycle.com Best of awards.

Honorable Mention

Although the Triumphs made a big splash jumping into the pond, that’s not to say that there weren’t other great options unveiled for the 2024 model year – and there were plenty of contenders from around the world. CFMoto’s Ibex 450 impressed during our first rip as another great option in the lightweight adventure category complete with adjustable suspension, a 449cc Parallel Twin engine, 21/18-inch wheel combo and switchable electronics, all for just $6,500. Heading northeast, Team Green released a couple of new models using its 451cc engine which helped propel the Kawasaki Eliminator into the win in this category last year. Making the hop to Europe, the Italians graced the class with the sporty Aprilia RS457 where Troy reminded us in his review that "entry-level certainly doesn't mean cheap or boring.” Rounding out our candidates, is just a short ride north into Austria. Husqvarna’s Svartpilen and Vitpilen 401s received a fairly substantial overhaul for the 2024 model year, refining an already fun and unique package even further.

As we’re happy to keep parroting, it’s a great time to be a motorcyclist, and a great time for the entry-level/lightweight category. With just the models mentioned above, you have options from around the world, all of which bring their own unique style and experience to the table.

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