Sprint ST

[Ed K]

Ok, ok, my silver beauty is upset with me...my eyes are wandering again...

This time to Sprint ST...

Sure seems to have PSG... Power, Style, Grace... and be a nice all around sport tourer...

Maximum Power 125PS (123bhp) at 9,250 rpm
Maximum Torque 104Nm (77ft.lbf) at 5,000 rpm

http://sportrider.com/bikes/2005/2005-tri-sprint-05-zoom.jpg

What are your perspectives on this bike? Anybody have one?

Thanks,

[socalrob]

Hey, whenever I read those British bike mags they just gush over any new Triumph model. :)

Not a bit biased.

I do think Triumph has some winning new models. The Scramble looks as cool to me as those new Ducatii. The Daytona 675 (I think thats what I mean) looks like a master stroke of design/concept/marketing to bring to the 600 market. And that new Sprint looks good too.

The big question, how are those ABS brakes? Servos?:embarassed:

[Ed K]

Hey Rob...I believe it comes with or without ABS... I agree, my RR is without, and I like it that way.

Also, panniers are available for it...

[Ed K]

Yup, just checked, it is available with or without ABS...

[jamais]

Recently I read owner's reviews olf the bike on the T595net. Performance wasn't an issue but the long term durability of the "bits" on the bike seemed to raise concern among its owners.

http://www.t595.net/messageboard/thread.asp?thread=33547

[Ed K]

Hmmm, thanks Alan, interesting thread...

[Bones]

Ed,
I just sent you a PM re the pic you posted. Check your message and I may have some pics for you, of interest.

Jeff

[Ed K]

Hey thanks Jeff, I sent you an email...

[DarthRider]

Ed -
My only direct experience with the Meriden triples has been my '06 Speed Triple which now has 3400 miles. So far the bike has been perfection. This is the only new bike I've ever had that did not use a single drop of oil during break-in and hasn't to this day.
Fit & finish are excellant as is build quality. No warranty probs, no niggling little glitches, nothing. My only complaint is the tickets! Components are excellent...suspension is top shelf Showa, tires are Michelin Pilot Powers, chain is DID X-ring. Specs vary somewhat on the ST but are equally good.

Our Bonneville racing team has one partial streamliner with a late triple. The engine guy loves it. They have wet liners that you just lift out of the block. The cam & valve gear is tough & strong with no probs, ditto the tranny. They had to beef up the clutch to cope with the 250+ HP of the turbocharged, methanol burning configuration. No bottom end probs at all. Nothing to do with a street motor other than to illustrate how well built and strong these motors are.

I have 2 friends with Sprint ST's, all report few if any problems and say they would buy another one. One of them is on his 3rd ST...he trades his existing hi-mileage one in when they come out with a new model. He uses it for a commuter, sport tourer and goes on sport bike rides where he is very hard to catch. Of course he is a road racer too and that might have something to do with that.

The ABS option is good and they finally have the hard bags sorted out. Get the electric grips too!

If you *like* the ST, I don't think you'll find valid reasons for not getting one. If my R1150R blows up another rear drive it will be toast and a new Sprint ST will be sitting along side the Speedy in my shop.

Dave

[Ed K]

Hey thanks Dave... appreciate the counsel... and glad hear that your Triple has been so good to you. By the time you get to 3400 miles, one has a pretty good indication of how the bike will be to live with.

Bones mentioned the Interceptor that he has owned, as in the same league as the Sprint. The Interceptor has a reasonable 5.4 or gal tank, and also hard bags available. And its sure accumulated a lot of great recognition in the press over the years... altho it does have less power at about 100HP than the Spint at about 120HP.

The FZ is off my list for a number of reasons... My next couple of stops will be the Honda and Triumph dealers to look 'em over...

Heck, by the time I am finished shopping the field (which takes time for me) it'll be time to stop by the BMW dealer and see the R1200R...

Meanwhile, life is still great on my silver beauty, R1150R!

Thanks guys...

[DarthRider]

Hey Ed...what a great problem to have.
The neat thing is, you couldn't find a bad motorcycle to buy these days if you tried!

Dave