By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Naked Bike vs Sport Tourer
Triumph Speed Triple 1050 (515NJ) vs Tiger Sport 1050 (G7475)
Triumph Speed Triple 1050 vs Tiger Sport 1050: where they split, and which one to buy.
From the saddle, the Triumph Speed Triple 1050's cockpit runs tight, and that short reach is why it's so quick to flick. The Triumph Tiger Sport 1050 spreads your hands wide and sits you up tall. Your back doesn't complain as the day runs long.
So which one do you buy?
The Speed Triple 1050 has the edge if…
Daily commuting & city riding
Slight edge: Speed Triple 1050
The Speed Triple 1050 edges it for the daily grind. Most of that is lighter steering. It's a small gap, not a reason on its own.
Sporty riding on twisty roads
Nose ahead: Speed Triple 1050
Back-road fun leans slightly toward the Speed Triple 1050. Credit better suspension and more feel through the bars. It's a narrow call, so trust your test ride.
What makes each one tick
Speed Triple 1050
Through a sweeping bend the Speed Triple holds its line under hard throttle at the apex, with no push or wander on the exit. In close-radius turns it won't pivot off a sharp jab; it wants round bar inputs. The brake lever modulates cleanly at track pace, and the front end doesn't budge as the bike stops hard. It's leaned after one bar input.
Tiger Sport 1050
The Tiger Sport's triple pulls on a broad spread of torque before a top-end rush takes over, with an exhaust note that's hard to stop chasing. Over a bump on the Blue Ridge Parkway, the suspension stays firm without turning harsh. Its weight shows at walking pace. In fast sweepers the firm suspension keeps it planted.
Nils rode the Tiger Sport 1050 in 2014 (NastyNils Testride).
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The Speed Triple 1050 has the lower seat: 32.1 in (815 mm) vs 32.7 in (830 mm).
- The Speed Triple 1050 has the lower wet weight: 472 lb (214 kg) vs 518 lb (235 kg).
- The Tiger Sport 1050 has the larger fuel tank: 5.3 US gal (20 L) vs 4.8 US gal (18 L).
Which one for the way you ride
Comfortable long-distance riding
Not built for it: Speed Triple 1050
The Speed Triple 1050 gets left out of the long-distance question. It's built for a different kind of day.
A confidence-building first motorcycle
Not their thing
If this is your first motorcycle, keep looking. Neither one makes learning easy.
For running costs, you won't find daylight between them. Let the test ride settle it.
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
Tiger Sport 1050
What owners say
Strengths
- Torquey and smooth inline-three engine
- Comfortable and commanding riding position
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.
Tiger Sport 1050
No confirmed faults on file yet. That's not the same as fault-free.
What they share
- Displacement
- 1050 cc
- Engine
- Inline-three
- Cooling
- Liquid-cooled
- 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 | Tiger Sport 1050 | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 32.1 in (815 mm) | 32.7 in (830 mm) |
| Wet weight | 472 lb (214 kg) | 518 lb (235 kg) |
| Speed Triple 1050 | Tiger Sport 1050 | |
|---|---|---|
| Power | 128 hp (96 kW) | 123 hp (92 kW) |
| Torque | 77 lb-ft (105 Nm) | 77 lb-ft (104 Nm) |
| Top speed | 150 mph (241 km/h) | 137 mph (220 km/h) |
| Speed Triple 1050 | Tiger Sport 1050 | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy | 33 mpg (US) / 7.06 L/100 km | 36 mpg (US) / 6.6 L/100 km |
| Fuel capacity | 4.8 US gal (18 L) | 5.3 US gal (20 L) |
| Speed Triple 1050 | Tiger Sport 1050 | |
|---|---|---|
| Wheelbase | 56.1 in (1425 mm) | 60.6 in (1540 mm) |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| Speed Triple 1050 | Tiger Sport 1050 | |
|---|---|---|
| ABS | Not offered | Standard |
| Heated Grips | Not offered | Option |
| Luggage System | Not offered | Option |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
