By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Hyper Naked vs Naked Bike
MV Agusta Brutale 910 R (MY2006) vs Triumph Speed Triple 1050 (515NJ)
Halfway up the rev range, the MV Agusta Brutale 910 R's four pulls hard and keeps climbing until it's wailing at redline. On the Triumph Speed Triple 1050, a fistful of throttle at the apex doesn't unsettle the chassis at all. The bike drives out exactly where you pointed it.
So which one do you buy?
The Speed Triple 1050 has the edge if…
Riding two-up with a passenger
Slight edge: Speed Triple 1050
Carrying a passenger, the Speed Triple 1050 noses ahead. The person on the back may well disagree.
Daily commuting & city riding
Inches ahead: Speed Triple 1050
The Speed Triple 1050 edges it for the daily grind. Most of that is friendlier manners. It's a small gap, not a reason on its own.
Sporty riding on twisty roads
Nose ahead: Speed Triple 1050
The Speed Triple 1050 nudges ahead once the pavement starts to wiggle. That comes from stronger brakes. Don't expect a night-and-day difference.
What makes each one tick
Brutale 910 R
The Brutale's firm little seat and rear-set pegs fold you into a crouch that isn't meant for long days. Rough pavement hammers through the seat. On Angeles Crest Highway, the stiff frame and firm suspension keep it hooked up once it's leaned over. The front tucks in off one light flick.
Speed Triple 1050
The Speed Triple answers smooth, round inputs at the bar, and it resists when you jab it into a tight hairpin. Under hard braking the front end stays planted, with lever effort that's just right. Bumps don't rock its heavy frame. The triple snarls at each green light.
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The Speed Triple 1050 makes more peak torque: 77 lb-ft (105 Nm) vs 71 lb-ft (96 Nm).
- The Speed Triple 1050 has the larger engine: 1050 cc vs 909 cc.
- The Brutale 910 R has the larger fuel tank: 5.0 US gal (19 L) vs 4.8 US gal (18 L).
Which one for the way you ride
Comfortable long-distance riding
Both fall short
Neither of these is a mile-muncher. If big days are the plan, keep looking.
Traveling with luggage
Not their thing
If touring with luggage is the plan, keep looking. Neither one was built around it.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
Brutale 910 R
What owners say
Strengths
- Ferocious top-end power and intoxicating soundtrack
- Immediate, responsive handling
- High-spec chassis components
Trade-offs
- Firm, unforgiving ride
- Cramped, aggressive ergonomics
- High maintenance costs and short service intervals
- Temperamental low-speed fueling
Speed Triple 1050
From Nils' own saddle time
Strengths
- Tips In With One Input
- Brakes You Can Trust
- Planted When You're On The Gas
- Clean, Honest Fueling
- A Big Naked Anyone Can Ride
Trade-offs
- No Savage Top-End Hit
- Rewards Smooth, Not Sharp
- Tight For Bigger Riders
- Gearbox Still Feels Vague
Known problems to check before you buy
Brutale 910 R
- Throttle hesitation and lean stumble Hesitation or a stumble when opening the throttle from closed, particularly at low rpm. Can be caused by dirty throttle bodies, degraded injectors, or sensor issues.
Speed Triple 1050
- Sprag clutch/starter gear failure The starter sprag clutch and starter idler gear can fail, producing a loud grinding noise during engine startup and leading to starter slipping or failure to crank.
What they share
- Cooling
- Liquid-cooled
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Final drive
- Chain
- Fork
- Upside-down (USD)
- Front brake
- 320 mm
- Front tire
- 120/70-17
Where the spec sheets split
| Brutale 910 R | Speed Triple 1050 | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 31.9 in (810 mm) | 32.1 in (815 mm) |
| Wet weight | 464 lb (210 kg) | 472 lb (214 kg) |
| Brutale 910 R | Speed Triple 1050 | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 909 cc | 1050 cc |
| Engine | Inline-four | Inline-three |
| Power | 136 hp (100 kW) | 128 hp (96 kW) |
| Torque | 71 lb-ft (96 Nm) | 77 lb-ft (105 Nm) |
| Top speed | 157 mph (253 km/h) | 150 mph (241 km/h) |
| Brutale 910 R | Speed Triple 1050 | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy | 33 mpg (US) / 7.1 L/100 km | 33 mpg (US) / 7.06 L/100 km |
| Fuel capacity | 5.0 US gal (19 L) | 4.8 US gal (18 L) |
| Brutale 910 R | Speed Triple 1050 | |
|---|---|---|
| Rear tire | 190/55-17 | 180/55-17 |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| Brutale 910 R | Speed Triple 1050 | |
|---|---|---|
| Steering Damper | Standard | Not offered |
| Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPMS) | Not offered | Option |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
