By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Adventure
Suzuki V-Strom 1050 (MY2020) vs Triumph Tiger 900 (C701-GT)
Suzuki V-Strom 1050 vs Triumph Tiger 900: which one's easier to live with on a long trip.
Rolling on from a crawl, the Suzuki V-Strom 1050 spins up an engine that's gone two decades without a chronic mechanical failure. The Triumph Tiger 900's triple tugs cleanly off low revs, much like a twin. Its off-beat growl doesn't sound like anything else.
So which one do you buy?
The Tiger 900 has the edge if…
Daily commuting & city riding
Small edge: Tiger 900
Your daily ride leans slightly toward the Tiger 900. Credit friendlier manners. Fit and price can easily outweigh that.
Which one's the smarter buy
No clear winner on value
The V-Strom 1050 costs less, but that gap doesn't settle which bike is the better buy. Neither is the clear better value for the money.
What makes each one tick
V-Strom 1050
The V-Strom puts comfort and range first, and it doesn't bother with frills. Over a bump, there's 6.3 in (160 mm) of travel at each end to soak it up. Its big motor shoves hard.
Tiger 900
Split radiators tuck the Tiger 900's mass toward the middle of its trellis frame, and the bars don't fight you at low speed. Corner entry takes a light nudge. At speed, the frame's settled on its line.
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The Tiger 900 has the lower seat: 32.3 in (820 mm) vs 33.7 in (855 mm).
- The Tiger 900 has the lower wet weight: 470 lb (213 kg) vs 520 lb (236 kg).
- The V-Strom 1050 makes more peak power: 107 hp (79 kW) vs 94 hp (70 kW).
Which one for the way you ride
A confidence-building first motorcycle
Not their thing
Neither one is where you should learn. Get a season on something gentler first.
Count twisty roads, long days, and running costs as a draw. The deal on the table and the condition of the bike matter more here.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
V-Strom 1050
What owners say
Strengths
- Exceptional value for money
- Proven long-term reliability
Tiger 900
What owners say
Strengths
- Agile and stable handling
- Characterful T-plane triple engine
- Comprehensive standard electronics
Trade-offs
- Uncomfortable seat for longer rides
- Confusing TFT interface
- Prominent high-frequency vibrations
Known problems to check before you buy
V-Strom 1050
- Excessive high beam headlight output (recall) Recall 25V505000 The headlamp assembly does not meet FMVSS 108 — upper-beam output exceeds the legal maximum and can impair the vision of the rider and of oncoming traffic. Suzuki recalled certain 2020-2022 V-Strom 1050 machines (NHTSA 25V505, Suzuki campaign 3A06/3A07) and replaces the headlamp assembly free of charge; owner letters went out on November 7, 2025. On a used bike, confirm the work was done.
Tiger 900
- Quickshifter failure in wet conditions Some owners report the quickshifter stops working when the bike gets very wet.
What they cost used
These prices compare a 5-year-old V-Strom 1050 with a 5-year-old Tiger 900.
- V-Strom 1050
- about $9,200
- Tiger 900
- about $10,900
At five years old, the Suzuki V-Strom 1050 sits around $9,200 while the Triumph Tiger 900 runs about $10,900. That's a $1,700 gap in the V-Strom 1050's favor. These are US market estimates, not live listings.
What they share
- Cooling
- Liquid-cooled
- Fuel capacity
- 5.3 US gal (20 L)
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Rear tire
- 150/70-17
Where the spec sheets split
| V-Strom 1050 | Tiger 900 | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 33.7 in (855 mm) | 32.3 in (820 mm) |
| Wet weight | 520 lb (236 kg) | 470 lb (213 kg) |
| V-Strom 1050 | Tiger 900 | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 1037 cc | 888 cc |
| Engine | 90° V-twin | Inline-three |
| Power | 107 hp (79 kW) | 94 hp (70 kW) |
| Torque | 74 lb-ft (100 Nm) | 64 lb-ft (87 Nm) |
| Peak torque at | 6,000 rpm | 7,250 rpm |
| V-Strom 1050 | Tiger 900 | |
|---|---|---|
| Front tire | 110/80-19 | 100/90-19 |
| Ground clearance | 6.5 in (165 mm) | 6.7 in (170 mm) |
| Front travel | 6.3 in (160 mm) | 7.1 in (180 mm) |
| Rear travel | 6.3 in (160 mm) | 6.7 in (170 mm) |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| V-Strom 1050 | Tiger 900 | |
|---|---|---|
| Cornering ABS | Not offered | Standard |
| Cruise Control | Not offered | Standard |
| Quickshifter | Not offered | Option |
| Slipper Clutch | Not offered | Standard |
| TFT Display | Not offered | Standard |
| Smartphone Connectivity | Not offered | Option |
| Navigation | Not offered | Option |
| Heated Grips | Option | Standard |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
