By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Naked Bike vs Hyper Naked
Triumph Speed Triple 1050 (515NJ) vs MV Agusta Brutale 910 S (MY2006)
Crack the gas open past the apex of a long sweeper, and the Triumph Speed Triple 1050 doesn't wander off its line. On the MV Agusta Brutale 910 S, there's a fully adjustable Marzocchi fork and Sachs shock working under you. The Brutale soaks up every ripple on the exit.
So which one do you buy?
The Speed Triple 1050 has the edge if…
Riding two-up with a passenger
A touch ahead: Speed Triple 1050
Two-up, the Speed Triple 1050 edges it. Small margin.
Sporty riding on twisty roads
Nose ahead: Speed Triple 1050
Through a string of corners, the Speed Triple 1050 feels a little more eager. The gap is small, so ride both.
What makes each one tick
Speed Triple 1050
A short reach from saddle to bar quickens the Speed Triple's steering, and one push on the bar tips it into a bend without fuss. The throttle wakes a three-cylinder that pulls with a steady swell from the middle revs. Near redline, the triple doesn't bite.
Brutale 910 S
The Brutale's ferocious four-cylinder won't let your attention drift. Its Nissin front brakes haul it down hard with good feel at the lever. Corner entry is where the race-bred chassis shows its hand, and there's a raw feel coming up off the front tire.
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 S 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
For all-day comfort, both fall short. Keep the rides short and you'll get on fine with either.
Traveling with luggage
Neither is a natural fit
Multi-day trips with luggage aren't their thing. Travel light, or travel on something else.
Count commuting 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
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
Brutale 910 S
What owners say
Strengths
- Premium fully adjustable suspension
- Exclusivity and rarity
- Strong braking performance
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.
Brutale 910 S
No confirmed faults on file yet. That's not the same as fault-free.
What they share
- Cooling
- Liquid-cooled
- Gearbox
- 6-speed
- Final drive
- Chain
- Fork
- Upside-down (USD)
- Front tire
- 120/70-17
Where the spec sheets split
| Speed Triple 1050 | Brutale 910 S | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 32.1 in (815 mm) | 31.9 in (810 mm) |
| Wet weight | 472 lb (214 kg) | 463 lb (210 kg) |
| Speed Triple 1050 | Brutale 910 S | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 1050 cc | 909 cc |
| Engine | Inline-three | Inline-four |
| Power | 128 hp (96 kW) | 136 hp (100 kW) |
| Torque | 77 lb-ft (105 Nm) | 71 lb-ft (96 Nm) |
| Top speed | 150 mph (241 km/h) | 157 mph (252 km/h) |
| Speed Triple 1050 | Brutale 910 S | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy | 33 mpg (US) / 7.06 L/100 km | 33 mpg (US) / 7.1 L/100 km |
| Fuel capacity | 4.8 US gal (18 L) | 5.0 US gal (19 L) |
| Speed Triple 1050 | Brutale 910 S | |
|---|---|---|
| Front brake | 320 mm | 310 mm |
| Rear tire | 180/55-17 | 190/50-17 |
| Wheelbase | 56.1 in (1425 mm) | 55.5 in (1410 mm) |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| Speed Triple 1050 | Brutale 910 S | |
|---|---|---|
| Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPMS) | Option | Not offered |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
