Advice on a Triumph Sprint ST 1050
Discussion
Looking at getting back into bikes after a 5 year break. My last bike was an R1 which I absolutely adored but crippled me after a long day in the saddle. I'm now pretty much set on a Triumph Sprint ST 1050. There are a number of options available within my budget. The main point I want to clarify is what is the better option to me? Do I go for an older bike with low miles (e.g 2005/15 - 20k miles) or a newer model which is still absolutely immaculate but has higher miles (2009/40k miles).
If I was in the market for another supersports bike then 40k miles would be a real turn off, but with a sports tourer such as this I'm not so sure. Any real life experience or advice much appreciated.
Thanks
If I was in the market for another supersports bike then 40k miles would be a real turn off, but with a sports tourer such as this I'm not so sure. Any real life experience or advice much appreciated.
Thanks
I’d go on condition in both cases. New chain and tyres, minimal corrosion, recent valve clearances, suspension service etc. Will all be good things at both those mileages.
Suppose depends how many miles and how long you plan to keep too as +30k to 70k would hit the resale pretty hard.
Suppose depends how many miles and how long you plan to keep too as +30k to 70k would hit the resale pretty hard.
I would put it all down to condition. Also check out it starts fine and charges the battery well. The sprints have a habit of eating the sprag clutch if the electrical system isn't in good condition. The official parts from triumph are incredibly pricy!
Mine now has >40k miles on it and although it may have lost all its value it doesn't show any signs of the mileage.
Mine now has >40k miles on it and although it may have lost all its value it doesn't show any signs of the mileage.
Great choice, probably the best all rounder available and you get a lot of bike for the money.
Early Trumpet ABS wasn't the best so don't worry if you don't get it. As said make sure it is charging ok and make sure you keep the battery fresh. Early models had the seat sitting on a rest that was part of the fuel tank..which made it a pain to get the battery out..ie lifting the tank which needed some fairing taking off...which needed the pannier rails removing. Later models solved this.
I'd go for the youngest bike you can..keeping below 20k miles..make sure it's had a big service recently. That said mines on 30k and it hasnt had the valves checked...only did the air filter and plugs on 27k.
Early Trumpet ABS wasn't the best so don't worry if you don't get it. As said make sure it is charging ok and make sure you keep the battery fresh. Early models had the seat sitting on a rest that was part of the fuel tank..which made it a pain to get the battery out..ie lifting the tank which needed some fairing taking off...which needed the pannier rails removing. Later models solved this.
I'd go for the youngest bike you can..keeping below 20k miles..make sure it's had a big service recently. That said mines on 30k and it hasnt had the valves checked...only did the air filter and plugs on 27k.
Edited by CaptainSlow on Monday 15th October 15:22
Think it just depends on your budget constraints. If you can afford to go young and low mileage, why not.
I bought an ‘07 with 26K that’d been sat for a year. The seller put a new battery in and it’s performing flawlessly on my ~50 mile commute.
Had an ‘04 VFR800 before this and it feels so much better. It’s comfy and the torque means it’s lazy when you need it to be.
Done about 4,000 since buying it and it’s managing just shy of 50mpg.
I bought an ‘07 with 26K that’d been sat for a year. The seller put a new battery in and it’s performing flawlessly on my ~50 mile commute.
Had an ‘04 VFR800 before this and it feels so much better. It’s comfy and the torque means it’s lazy when you need it to be.
Done about 4,000 since buying it and it’s managing just shy of 50mpg.
Great bikes, I did three Euro tours on my '08 St 1050 ABS and really enjoyed it.
The '07 onwards bikes get higher bars, a steel tank, higher screen and supposedly a little more grunt.
The stock panniers are pretty useless, being really wide yet holding very little. The top box isn't much better and has been known to snap grab rails due to the poor mounting.
I put a Givi rack and side rails on mine, massive improvement!
I also got the seat modded with a gel pad which really helped. The Triumph Gel seat is less comfy that the stock one in my experience.
Loads of character from that lovely triple motor and a great front end. Great fun bikes!
The '07 onwards bikes get higher bars, a steel tank, higher screen and supposedly a little more grunt.
The stock panniers are pretty useless, being really wide yet holding very little. The top box isn't much better and has been known to snap grab rails due to the poor mounting.
I put a Givi rack and side rails on mine, massive improvement!
I also got the seat modded with a gel pad which really helped. The Triumph Gel seat is less comfy that the stock one in my experience.
Loads of character from that lovely triple motor and a great front end. Great fun bikes!
At 9 years old, mine is going in for a service, its first new chain (rather than the original which after 26,000 miles now has a little tight spot.
Panniers are pretty poor, not 100%, but not the best
Replaced original headlights with HIDs
After market exhaust meant the real fruity nature of the engine comes out
Steel tank is a boon for atank bag, which I may throw in, plus I have the double bubble screen and slightly lower seat option.
Then its up for sale at £1,800 - not bad for a bike that still feels very competent
Panniers are pretty poor, not 100%, but not the best
Replaced original headlights with HIDs
After market exhaust meant the real fruity nature of the engine comes out
Steel tank is a boon for atank bag, which I may throw in, plus I have the double bubble screen and slightly lower seat option.
Then its up for sale at £1,800 - not bad for a bike that still feels very competent
dukeboy749r said:
At 9 years old, mine is going in for a service, its first new chain (rather than the original which after 26,000 miles now has a little tight spot.
Panniers are pretty poor, not 100%, but not the best
Replaced original headlights with HIDs
After market exhaust meant the real fruity nature of the engine comes out
Steel tank is a boon for atank bag, which I may throw in, plus I have the double bubble screen and slightly lower seat option.
Then its up for sale at £1,800 - not bad for a bike that still feels very competent
Any more info and pics ? Panniers are pretty poor, not 100%, but not the best
Replaced original headlights with HIDs
After market exhaust meant the real fruity nature of the engine comes out
Steel tank is a boon for atank bag, which I may throw in, plus I have the double bubble screen and slightly lower seat option.
Then its up for sale at £1,800 - not bad for a bike that still feels very competent
Cheers
I own one of the very last ST1050, its one of the final 2011 run out models.
Thing is sitting with approx 7k miles with almost half the miles being a euro trip which took me as far south as Italy.
For covering distance - its right up there.
Very capable speed cruiser. On the autobahn's, it was sitting at 130-150 and it felt almost exactly the same as it did at 70.
Engine produces so much grunt, you hardly need to take it over 5k revs and progress is still pretty rapid.
Fuel tank is good size and I regularly see well over 200 miles on a full tank and with the comfort offered - you don't need an excuse to stop between fuel stops.
Reliability has been 100% with not a single problem or warning light.
I service the bike myself and its very easy to work on.
Air filters for some reason get dirty very quickly and require changing annually along with an oil change.
Removing the tank is a little fiddly until you learn the correct process.
I removed the standard datatool alarm after reading about problems with them. The wiring into the alarm module are not waterproof meaning once water gets is - you're going nowhere.
Looking inside mine - and electrics/terminals were already starting to show signs of corrosion.
Triumph sell a plug which goes in into the main harness in place of the alarm - without this plug, the bike is immobilised and going nowhere.
Negative points - the standard suspension was marginal at best when new.
As a result I was constantly thinking the bike was running wide in corners.
I has the forks serviced my Maxton and a new rear shock built and these mods transferred the handling entirely.
Also - there's very little engine braking and because of the weight, brakes do tend to lead a hard life.
Rear brake isn't up to much either - mainly due to the set up which means the rear disk ends up with a coating of whatever the chain throws its way.
Admit its not a sports bike but something you can jump on and easily cover 500 miles/day without any aches or pains.
Cheers
Thing is sitting with approx 7k miles with almost half the miles being a euro trip which took me as far south as Italy.
For covering distance - its right up there.
Very capable speed cruiser. On the autobahn's, it was sitting at 130-150 and it felt almost exactly the same as it did at 70.
Engine produces so much grunt, you hardly need to take it over 5k revs and progress is still pretty rapid.
Fuel tank is good size and I regularly see well over 200 miles on a full tank and with the comfort offered - you don't need an excuse to stop between fuel stops.
Reliability has been 100% with not a single problem or warning light.
I service the bike myself and its very easy to work on.
Air filters for some reason get dirty very quickly and require changing annually along with an oil change.
Removing the tank is a little fiddly until you learn the correct process.
I removed the standard datatool alarm after reading about problems with them. The wiring into the alarm module are not waterproof meaning once water gets is - you're going nowhere.
Looking inside mine - and electrics/terminals were already starting to show signs of corrosion.
Triumph sell a plug which goes in into the main harness in place of the alarm - without this plug, the bike is immobilised and going nowhere.
Negative points - the standard suspension was marginal at best when new.
As a result I was constantly thinking the bike was running wide in corners.
I has the forks serviced my Maxton and a new rear shock built and these mods transferred the handling entirely.
Also - there's very little engine braking and because of the weight, brakes do tend to lead a hard life.
Rear brake isn't up to much either - mainly due to the set up which means the rear disk ends up with a coating of whatever the chain throws its way.
Admit its not a sports bike but something you can jump on and easily cover 500 miles/day without any aches or pains.
Cheers
Dalmahoy said:
I own one of the very last ST1050, its one of the final 2011 run out models.
Thing is sitting with approx 7k miles with almost half the miles being a euro trip which took me as far south as Italy.
For covering distance - its right up there.
Very capable speed cruiser. On the autobahn's, it was sitting at 130-150 and it felt almost exactly the same as it did at 70.
Engine produces so much grunt, you hardly need to take it over 5k revs and progress is still pretty rapid.
Fuel tank is good size and I regularly see well over 200 miles on a full tank and with the comfort offered - you don't need an excuse to stop between fuel stops.
Reliability has been 100% with not a single problem or warning light.
I service the bike myself and its very easy to work on.
Air filters for some reason get dirty very quickly and require changing annually along with an oil change.
Removing the tank is a little fiddly until you learn the correct process.
I removed the standard datatool alarm after reading about problems with them. The wiring into the alarm module are not waterproof meaning once water gets is - you're going nowhere.
Looking inside mine - and electrics/terminals were already starting to show signs of corrosion.
Triumph sell a plug which goes in into the main harness in place of the alarm - without this plug, the bike is immobilised and going nowhere.
Negative points - the standard suspension was marginal at best when new.
As a result I was constantly thinking the bike was running wide in corners.
I has the forks serviced my Maxton and a new rear shock built and these mods transferred the handling entirely.
Also - there's very little engine braking and because of the weight, brakes do tend to lead a hard life.
Rear brake isn't up to much either - mainly due to the set up which means the rear disk ends up with a coating of whatever the chain throws its way.
Admit its not a sports bike but something you can jump on and easily cover 500 miles/day without any aches or pains.
Cheers
Just to reinforce the above, I had the suspension done on my 09 done by MCT too and it was great. I'd been bottoming out the shocks! I also added the triumph off-road exhaust and a decat pipe. Thing is sitting with approx 7k miles with almost half the miles being a euro trip which took me as far south as Italy.
For covering distance - its right up there.
Very capable speed cruiser. On the autobahn's, it was sitting at 130-150 and it felt almost exactly the same as it did at 70.
Engine produces so much grunt, you hardly need to take it over 5k revs and progress is still pretty rapid.
Fuel tank is good size and I regularly see well over 200 miles on a full tank and with the comfort offered - you don't need an excuse to stop between fuel stops.
Reliability has been 100% with not a single problem or warning light.
I service the bike myself and its very easy to work on.
Air filters for some reason get dirty very quickly and require changing annually along with an oil change.
Removing the tank is a little fiddly until you learn the correct process.
I removed the standard datatool alarm after reading about problems with them. The wiring into the alarm module are not waterproof meaning once water gets is - you're going nowhere.
Looking inside mine - and electrics/terminals were already starting to show signs of corrosion.
Triumph sell a plug which goes in into the main harness in place of the alarm - without this plug, the bike is immobilised and going nowhere.
Negative points - the standard suspension was marginal at best when new.
As a result I was constantly thinking the bike was running wide in corners.
I has the forks serviced my Maxton and a new rear shock built and these mods transferred the handling entirely.
Also - there's very little engine braking and because of the weight, brakes do tend to lead a hard life.
Rear brake isn't up to much either - mainly due to the set up which means the rear disk ends up with a coating of whatever the chain throws its way.
Admit its not a sports bike but something you can jump on and easily cover 500 miles/day without any aches or pains.
Cheers
A part of me really regrets selling it!
Edit: not Maxton, MCT.
Edited by yellowstreak on Thursday 18th October 06:45
rsv gone! said:
That sounds like a very good price.
My 2008 had a great, smooth engine, with a nice sound. Handling was a bit bouncy, but you got used to it.
Brakes were wooden, though. Apparently, certain Nissin 6-pot calipers will fit on them.
I was tempted to do this, as a friend has done, but I have after market levers and to be honest I have never really noticed the difference in trying his bike versus mine. On a trackday, then perhapsMy 2008 had a great, smooth engine, with a nice sound. Handling was a bit bouncy, but you got used to it.
Brakes were wooden, though. Apparently, certain Nissin 6-pot calipers will fit on them.
WarnieV6GT said:
Any more info and pics ?
Cheers
I'll dig out photos as the bike is at the garage for said work and its MOT.Cheers
I should have added whilst it also has after market levers, the originals alongside the stock screen and paddock stand are in boxes. Oh, and so is the original exhaust
A) I hope this works
B) I fully accept the bike may need another wash and clean...
https://photos.app.goo.gl/TQuXdjmhXR9gQHzHA
B) I fully accept the bike may need another wash and clean...
https://photos.app.goo.gl/TQuXdjmhXR9gQHzHA
Edited by dukeboy749r on Tuesday 16th October 10:08
I would agree about the front brakes. Probably the weakest part of the bike Adequate at best.
Rear damping is marginal even from new. Wind the damping up to full helps until it wears out at 15k or so.
No problem with the front end for me. I guess that depends on your weight.
A Motobatt battery transforms the starting. Mine had never turned over so fast!
Rear damping is marginal even from new. Wind the damping up to full helps until it wears out at 15k or so.
No problem with the front end for me. I guess that depends on your weight.
A Motobatt battery transforms the starting. Mine had never turned over so fast!
Edited by CousinDupree on Tuesday 16th October 11:29
dukeboy749r said:
A) I hope this works
B) I fully accept the bike may need another wash and clean...
https://photos.app.goo.gl/TQuXdjmhXR9gQHzHA
That is lovely B) I fully accept the bike may need another wash and clean...
https://photos.app.goo.gl/TQuXdjmhXR9gQHzHA
Edited by dukeboy749r on Tuesday 16th October 10:08
dukeboy749r said:
A) I hope this works
B) I fully accept the bike may need another wash and clean...
https://photos.app.goo.gl/TQuXdjmhXR9gQHzHA
Where in the country are you? I was looking at an 09 model with 46k on it but if yours is up for sale within striking distance of me then it may sway me.B) I fully accept the bike may need another wash and clean...
https://photos.app.goo.gl/TQuXdjmhXR9gQHzHA
Edited by dukeboy749r on Tuesday 16th October 10:08
Fine bike, I sold my second this summer to get a KTM Adventure, I simply fancied something different and it fitted in with a bit more bike commuting duties.
Overall, I really liked it and was kind of sorry to see it go; with a garage and more cash I would have kept it. My second was the last of the ST's (avoid the slow handling GT IMHO) and being at the end of the production run had most of the niggles sorted, by then the ABS version had ceased production. As said elsewhere brakes pretty average but do the job. Suspension likewise - no real issues. My first one has the nice looking, but utterly useless projector lenses in the headlamps, get the later model with reflectors in the headlight unit and then stick some Osram Nightbreakers in to use after dark.
The only real let-downs I encountered were the battery giving up in the winter as it's a big ol' engine to turn over. A new battery and an optimate with a DIN connector to the port in the LHS fairing kept that at bay for the remaining years of my ownership. The main fuse on my first one also corroded and stranded me (a drinks can ring pull jammed in got me home). Finally, the front discs weren't great and had to be replaced on my first one with a judder under moderate braking at 40-50 mph. Worth checking that out. Apparently EBC made better replacement discs. (I'm not a particularly hard rider either).
Overall, I really liked it and was kind of sorry to see it go; with a garage and more cash I would have kept it. My second was the last of the ST's (avoid the slow handling GT IMHO) and being at the end of the production run had most of the niggles sorted, by then the ABS version had ceased production. As said elsewhere brakes pretty average but do the job. Suspension likewise - no real issues. My first one has the nice looking, but utterly useless projector lenses in the headlamps, get the later model with reflectors in the headlight unit and then stick some Osram Nightbreakers in to use after dark.
The only real let-downs I encountered were the battery giving up in the winter as it's a big ol' engine to turn over. A new battery and an optimate with a DIN connector to the port in the LHS fairing kept that at bay for the remaining years of my ownership. The main fuse on my first one also corroded and stranded me (a drinks can ring pull jammed in got me home). Finally, the front discs weren't great and had to be replaced on my first one with a judder under moderate braking at 40-50 mph. Worth checking that out. Apparently EBC made better replacement discs. (I'm not a particularly hard rider either).
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