Triumph Sprint - Opinions
Discussion
Mate of mine has one. I took it out for an hour or so last week to compare with my vfr as my bike is hurting my wrists a lot, to the point my right wrist is tingling and my hand goes numb after a couple to three hours.
Anyway, the leg position is a little more cramped than the vfr so my knees ached earlier. The handlebars are slightly higher in relation to the seat do it was a little easier on the wrists.
It depends though on how well you fit the bike. I'm about 6'1" in bare feet if that helps. My mate is 5'8" and can ride it all day.
Interestingly the performance of the two bikes is quite similar although on the triumph you're two gears higher as it has tons of mid range grunt. There's no top end rush like the vfr though so it's quicker to short shift rather than let it Rev out.
To me, and it might just be that I'm more comfortable pushing my bike a little more, but the vfr was a lot more stable on fast bends, I went out later on my bike, it was now wet, and I was a good 10-20 mph faster without feeling like I was pushing hard. It might be that this sprint needs a bit of fettling or maintenance though.
The sprint was better at walking pace turns.
They're s decent bike but I would recommend trying one for size first.
Anyway, the leg position is a little more cramped than the vfr so my knees ached earlier. The handlebars are slightly higher in relation to the seat do it was a little easier on the wrists.
It depends though on how well you fit the bike. I'm about 6'1" in bare feet if that helps. My mate is 5'8" and can ride it all day.
Interestingly the performance of the two bikes is quite similar although on the triumph you're two gears higher as it has tons of mid range grunt. There's no top end rush like the vfr though so it's quicker to short shift rather than let it Rev out.
To me, and it might just be that I'm more comfortable pushing my bike a little more, but the vfr was a lot more stable on fast bends, I went out later on my bike, it was now wet, and I was a good 10-20 mph faster without feeling like I was pushing hard. It might be that this sprint needs a bit of fettling or maintenance though.
The sprint was better at walking pace turns.
They're s decent bike but I would recommend trying one for size first.
I looked at one a few years ago amd have had one as a loaner once or twice, and they strike me as a very good bike.
As mentioned, the 1050 triple delivers lots of grunt but no real whoosh as such. Depends what you want.
Comfort-wise, for faster uninterrupted rides I found it ok, but I was buying mostly for London commuting so in the end opted for the taller Tiger 1050, as much for visibility as comfort.
The 1050 lump seems to go on and on though. Mine's approaching 90k miles on little more than regular servicing and oil changes.
As mentioned, the 1050 triple delivers lots of grunt but no real whoosh as such. Depends what you want.
Comfort-wise, for faster uninterrupted rides I found it ok, but I was buying mostly for London commuting so in the end opted for the taller Tiger 1050, as much for visibility as comfort.
The 1050 lump seems to go on and on though. Mine's approaching 90k miles on little more than regular servicing and oil changes.
I've had an 09 for 4 years. It makes a very comfortable touring machine and fits me fine (6'4"). With the off road exhaust it sounds great. I had the forks re-valved and re-sorung by MCT along with a rear shock rebuild. I've no complaints about the suspension after that. I've had no reliability problems either and its kept up with my buddies touring on more powerful bikes, I can ride it all day.
I'll swap it next year for something else just for a change but I will miss the engine especially.
I'll swap it next year for something else just for a change but I will miss the engine especially.
I bought one approx 3 months ago.
After riding off road bikes for the past 8 years - it was my first return to road bikes.
Couple trips to work on the thing and I was off on the NC500.
Covered 940 miles in 3 days in all conditions.
Bike was just faultless (apart from hitting an unmarked speed bump and launching my top box!!!)
Noticed also the other bikes with me on the tour were needing to fill up twice as often - with the clock telling me tank range was approx 240 miles.
The bike just wants to cover serious miles without fuss or aches/pains.
I'm now planning a 3 week euro trip for next year on the thing.
After riding off road bikes for the past 8 years - it was my first return to road bikes.
Couple trips to work on the thing and I was off on the NC500.
Covered 940 miles in 3 days in all conditions.
Bike was just faultless (apart from hitting an unmarked speed bump and launching my top box!!!)
Noticed also the other bikes with me on the tour were needing to fill up twice as often - with the clock telling me tank range was approx 240 miles.
The bike just wants to cover serious miles without fuss or aches/pains.
I'm now planning a 3 week euro trip for next year on the thing.
I had a 55 plate ST for a London commute; 120 miles a day. I found it nice and comfortable, and was pretty much perfect for the job. Bars are quite high and the seat is squishy. Little things like a center stand and single sided swing arm also made maintainece a little easier. Other than the reg/rec s
tting itself, it never let me down.
I only sold it as I went off the styling and wanted more top end.
tting itself, it never let me down.I only sold it as I went off the styling and wanted more top end.
I was having a good look at one at Triumph Newcastle a few week ago when I had my Daytona in for service. They're a really smart and well finished looking bike. I know that probably means fk all in terms of useful advice but if I couldn't find a VFR1200 in my price range (with a different exhaust can) I'd be tempted by a Sprint. That 1050 triple is a dream engine.
k all in terms of useful advice but if I couldn't find a VFR1200 in my price range (with a different exhaust can) I'd be tempted by a Sprint. That 1050 triple is a dream engine. I had one, a 2008 ST. It was a great bike, so much more character than the inline fours!
Lovely burble, grunt everywhere and they steer really well. Easily the best handling of the sport tourers.
Reliable and very good on fuel too. It won the Motorrad 50k endurance test years ago. http://www.sport-touring.net/forums/index.php/topi...
Faults? I did get the seat re-padded with gel insert. Also the stock panniers are bulky, heaving and don't carry much. I got a Givi rack in the end, which was perfect.
Lovely bikes.
Lovely burble, grunt everywhere and they steer really well. Easily the best handling of the sport tourers.
Reliable and very good on fuel too. It won the Motorrad 50k endurance test years ago. http://www.sport-touring.net/forums/index.php/topi...
Faults? I did get the seat re-padded with gel insert. Also the stock panniers are bulky, heaving and don't carry much. I got a Givi rack in the end, which was perfect.
Lovely bikes.
abarber said:
I had one, a 2008 ST. It was a great bike, so much more character than the inline fours!
Lovely burble, grunt everywhere and they steer really well.
Faults? I did get the seat re-padded with gel insert. Also the stock panniers are bulky, heaving and don't carry much.
Lovely bikes.
I had one for 4 years, and agree with all this. If you're lazy like me just stick it in top gear and let the torque do the work. Very easy to ride. If there was a negative, the brakes are adequate rather than great imo.Lovely burble, grunt everywhere and they steer really well.
Faults? I did get the seat re-padded with gel insert. Also the stock panniers are bulky, heaving and don't carry much.
Lovely bikes.
This is my thread! Have just sold mine. Can echo all of the above. 12,000 miles on one all over England, Scotland and Wales. Great bike. Positives are the fantastic engine, great noise, solid handling and excellent comfort. Negatives are pretty minor. Brakes aren't brilliant, but a regular clean out of callipers, freeing of pistons and EBC HH pads made mine adequate. Luggage looks great but doesn't hold much. Can't get a helmet in the panniers. Can sometimes tie itself up a bit in very tight B road type stuff, but Pilot Road tyres made a massive difference to this.
It's an awesome bike for covering long distance. Super smooth, torquey, and has the road presence that makes good progress effortless. Can't recommend them enough. Sold mine for a Tiger 800XC, as I wanted adventure-style panniers, preferred the styling and the Sprint was looking a bit tired in places. Whilst this was definitely the right choice for the Scottish highlands and some very long journeys down to the South East of England, I do miss the shove of the 1050.
Get some pics up when it's delivered!
It's an awesome bike for covering long distance. Super smooth, torquey, and has the road presence that makes good progress effortless. Can't recommend them enough. Sold mine for a Tiger 800XC, as I wanted adventure-style panniers, preferred the styling and the Sprint was looking a bit tired in places. Whilst this was definitely the right choice for the Scottish highlands and some very long journeys down to the South East of England, I do miss the shove of the 1050.
Get some pics up when it's delivered!
Tim1989 said:
CaptainSlow said:
How much was it? (want to value mine) Luggage etc?
They don't seem to be worth a huge amount at the moment. Struggled to sell mine privately, so ended part ex'ing it for the Tiger. Dealer offered more than I'd been offered by private buyers. Sorry for the hijack OP.
dugsud said:
Interested as to why you went for the 800 Tiger rather than the 1050 when you clearly appreciated the bigger triple motor?
Sorry for the hijack OP.
A few reasons really. Although the 800 isn't really an off road bike it still deals better with some of the highlands roads and tracks, the slightly over the top 21 inch front wheel isn't purely for show. Wanted something a bit lighter too, I've had 5 years of big heavy bikes, and the 800 is significantly lighter than my other V Strom 1000. I've never liked the looks of the tiger 1050 either. Nothing wrong with them at all, I just like the off roady look I suppose. Sorry for the hijack OP.
And finally I really didn't feel the 800 engine was that much worse than the 1050. A bit busier, not as refined, a bit slower but on the whole bags of character, a nice revvy feel, and still plenty of punch in a lighter package. I love the thing, getting on for 4000 miles on it since July.
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