By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Naked Bike
Triumph Speed Triple 1050 (515NJ) vs Aprilia RSV 1000 Tuono R (MY2005)
Late on the brakes before a fast corner, the Triumph Speed Triple 1050's front end won't budge, and the lever modulates exactly as you'd want. Squeeze the Aprilia RSV 1000 Tuono R's lever just as firmly and its radial Brembos bite with real force. Stop after stop, that force doesn't fade.
So which one do you buy?
The Speed Triple 1050 has the edge if…
Sporty riding on twisty roads
Inches ahead: Speed Triple 1050
The Speed Triple 1050 is a touch more fun when the road starts bending. Credit better suspension.
Daily commuting & city riding
Small edge: Speed Triple 1050
The Speed Triple 1050 makes slightly more sense as a commuter. It's down to simpler maintenance and friendlier manners. Don't read much into a gap this small.
What makes each one tick
Speed Triple 1050
The Speed Triple tips in on one smooth push of the bar, since the short reach from seat to bar sharpens the steering. Hairpins don't take kindly to sharp jabs; they want one slow sweep of the bar. The exit stays on your line.
RSV 1000 Tuono R
The Tuono doesn't need more than a light pull on its wide aluminum bar to swap from one lean to the other. At a hard pace over broken pavement, the base suspension turns harsh and the chassis can't settle. Throttle openings meet a rumbling pull from idle, and there's a hard rush waiting near the redline. The front wheel climbs on throttle.
Nils rode the RSV 1000 Tuono R in Hungary in 2004, in Sicily in 2005, and in Styria in 2007 (NastyNils Testride).
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The RSV 1000 Tuono R has the lower wet weight: 452 lb (205 kg) vs 472 lb (214 kg).
- The RSV 1000 Tuono R makes more peak power: 139 hp (102 kW) vs 128 hp (96 kW).
- Slipper Clutch: standard on the RSV 1000 Tuono R, not offered on the Speed Triple 1050.
Which one for the way you ride
Comfortable long-distance riding
Not their thing
Hours in the saddle won't flatter either of these. They're happier on shorter runs.
A confidence-building first motorcycle
Look elsewhere
Neither of these is a sensible first motorcycle. Learn on something smaller and lighter, then come back.
Traveling with luggage
Both miss here
Loading up for a long trip isn't a strength of either bike. Expect to compromise on what you bring.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
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
RSV 1000 Tuono R
What owners say
Strengths
- Explosive V-twin engine
- Strong, consistent brakes
- Surprising everyday usability
Trade-offs
- Clutch hydraulic woes
- Infamous hot restart issue
- Skittish ride on poor surfaces
Known problems to check before you buy
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.
RSV 1000 Tuono R
- Sprag clutch failure The starter sprag clutch can become damaged, often due to repeated starting with a weak battery. A pronounced squeak when cranking is a common early warning; replacement requires significant engine disassembly.
- Clutch master cylinder air ingress The clutch hydraulic system is prone to drawing air into the line, causing the clutch to feel vague and making it difficult to disengage or find neutral. Regular bleeding or installation of an aftermarket slave cylinder is often required.
- Hot start difficulties Many owners report that the engine struggles to restart when hot, believed to be caused by vapor lock in the fuel system or insufficient battery current. Using a high-CRS battery and ensuring clean electrical connections can mitigate the issue.
What they share
- Cooling
- Liquid-cooled
- Fuel capacity
- 4.8 US gal (18 L)
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Final drive
- Chain
- Fork
- Upside-down (USD)
- Front brake
- 320 mm
- Front tire
- 120/70-17
- Rear tire
- 180/55-17
Where the spec sheets split
| Speed Triple 1050 | RSV 1000 Tuono R | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 32.1 in (815 mm) | 32.3 in (820 mm) |
| Wet weight | 472 lb (214 kg) | 452 lb (205 kg) |
| Speed Triple 1050 | RSV 1000 Tuono R | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 1050 cc | 998 cc |
| Engine | Inline-three | 60° V-twin |
| Power | 128 hp (96 kW) | 139 hp (102 kW) |
| Torque | 77 lb-ft (105 Nm) | 74 lb-ft (101 Nm) |
| Speed Triple 1050 | RSV 1000 Tuono R | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy | 33 mpg (US) / 7.06 L/100 km | 29 mpg (US) / 8.07 L/100 km |
| Speed Triple 1050 | RSV 1000 Tuono R | |
|---|---|---|
| Wheelbase | 56.1 in (1425 mm) | 55.7 in (1415 mm) |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| Speed Triple 1050 | RSV 1000 Tuono R | |
|---|---|---|
| Slipper Clutch | Not offered | Standard |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
