Tell me about the Yamaha Thunderace/Triumph Sprint

[Faldo]

I'm going to be getting a bike again after a 3 year absence from riding.

I'm looking at sports bikes that can tour for around 1200 quid or less. The bike will be used mostly at weekends and to do a bit of European touring.

Having owned plenty of Kawasaki sports bikes I'm looking at the usual ZXR 750, ZX7R and 9R, but I could well end up buying a Thunderace or maybe a Triumph Sprint ST/RS, maybe a T595.

I've never owned a Yamaha or Triumph before. I've never bothered with a Yamaha as I always perceive them as gearbox-eaters, are the Thunderaces particularly vulnerable in that respect? Any other issues?

As for the Triumph, I've never really thought of them before, but I think a triple would suit me quite well. I know nothing of Triumph reliability, are there many known issues?

Any advice/other recommendations welcome.

Thanks .
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Current: ZZR1400
Previous: ZXR 400 L9, ZX-7R P5, ZZR 400, ZX-7R P6, Bandit 600, GSXR 750 Slingshot, DRZ400, DR650, ZX10R C1H, ZXR 750 L1, ZXR 750 L3, '99 ZX7R P4, KTM 300 EXC, ZX-9R E1, TDM850

[Slacker24seve...]

Uncle has a Sprint with nearly 60k on it. Solid bike, nice engine, comfy ride.

No idea about the Thunderace.
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Triumph Daytona 675 track bike + girlfriend's Honda Hornet 600
Selling a hack/winter bike for less than a grand? PM me.
Banger rallies are ace

[Kickstart]

Hi

Thunderace engine is pretty much the FZR1000 engine, and closely related to the FZ750. Gearbox on them seems to be pretty tough. Possible problem is the bearing behind the front sprocket which can be damaged by running the chain too tight, which means a complete engine strip to replace the bearing. Valves rarely need touching.

All the best

Keith
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Traxpics, track day and racing photographs - Bimota Forum - Bike performance / thrust graphs for choosing gearing

[Faldo]

Thanks chaps.

I pretty much know what I'll be getting with the Thunderace, but what are the Sprints like when doing semi-quick B road blasting or on the motorway?
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Current: ZZR1400
Previous: ZXR 400 L9, ZX-7R P5, ZZR 400, ZX-7R P6, Bandit 600, GSXR 750 Slingshot, DRZ400, DR650, ZX10R C1H, ZXR 750 L1, ZXR 750 L3, '99 ZX7R P4, KTM 300 EXC, ZX-9R E1, TDM850

[nick.h]

I got my thunderace at 47k, its at 54k now and I've had no problems with it. I did the valve clearences recently and they were all fine. I would recommend it.

There 5 speed and burn a little oil but the oil is float rather than pressure.

I'm on my second set of tyres. Pilot road, rear lasted 6k, front is still going. The pair cost £150.

Nick
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[Italjet MM5A] ll [Rieju RS1 Evolution] ll [Suzuki GS500e] ll [Suzuki GSX600F] ll [Honda CG125] ll [Pug Elyseo 125] ll [Yamaha YZF750R] ll [Yamaha Thunderace] ll [Yamaha R6] ll [Triumph 955i] ll [Hayabusa RZK3] ll [Suzuki RGV250] ll

[MarJay]

The 1999-2005 Triumph fuel injected triples are all ridiculously over engineered and immensely reliable. A mate of mine still owns the 1998 Daytona 955i that I had back in 2002 and it still looks the same as the day I bought it, still rides like it did when I had it and has done 35k miles. Only reliability issue it has is with the Datatool Veto Evo alarm that it has.

The Sprint RS and Sprint ST are heavier and not as exciting to ride, but are very very comfortable. The Daytona 955i is on a par with the Thunderace for comfort IMO.

I'm not sure about the prices on Thunderaces, but I know they only have a 5 speed gearbox, whereas the 955i has six. really really nice near mint 955i's seem to change hands for around the £1500-£2000 mark which is a huge amount of bike for the money.

Here's a 2003 mint looking 147bhp 955i on ebay for £2500

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2003-TRIUMPH-DAYTONA-955I-SS-RED-SUPER-BIKE-/390313932880?pt=UK_Motorcycles&hash=item5ae085f850

That is an awesome awesome bike for the money. They really are a performance bargain right now.
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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F; Cheap project: CBR900RR FireBlade
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[Faldo]

Cheers Nick, didn't know they're only 5 speed to be honest, not that it makes a great deal off difference I suppose.

Cheers for the Triumph info Marjay, they do really appeal to me, can't believe I've never thought of having one before .
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Current: ZZR1400
Previous: ZXR 400 L9, ZX-7R P5, ZZR 400, ZX-7R P6, Bandit 600, GSXR 750 Slingshot, DRZ400, DR650, ZX10R C1H, ZXR 750 L1, ZXR 750 L3, '99 ZX7R P4, KTM 300 EXC, ZX-9R E1, TDM850

[MarJay]

[Kickstart]

[Seb]

If you can forgive it's ugliness the Sprint RS is a rather nice bike to ride, easy going, utterly stable, sensible gearing and plenty of torque

A workmates had one for 35k miles and from memory the only issue in that time was I think an alternator failure? The finish isn't especially great on the fasteners and fairing fittings mind.
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2010 Triumph 1050 Sprint ST

[MaybeGuy]

A friend of mine is looking to sell his. Wanting about a grand. (1999 955i)
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Blue_SV650S wrote: it was a sh1te wheelie, but it proves that he can get it up in 3rd and can do angles. In summery, mattsprattuk is a gobby little sh1tebag, dopehead tw4t, but sadly for all of us, he probably isn't THAT full of sh1te!!
Kickstart wrote: Hi I tend to agree with Matt. All the best Keith

[Seb]

Raph's ex?
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2010 Triumph 1050 Sprint ST

[MaybeGuy]

The very same

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/e/eb/Knightni.jpg/400px-Knightni.jpg
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Blue_SV650S wrote: it was a sh1te wheelie, but it proves that he can get it up in 3rd and can do angles. In summery, mattsprattuk is a gobby little sh1tebag, dopehead tw4t, but sadly for all of us, he probably isn't THAT full of sh1te!!
Kickstart wrote: Hi I tend to agree with Matt. All the best Keith

[Irezumi aka Reuben]

Sprint ST of that time is a big wallowy old beast. Can be ridden fast if you change direction slowly. Overwork the suspension and it can get bouncy. Great mile muncher but definately no sports bike. Engine is big and agricultural, and gear change solid or clunky depending on your viewpoint. Clutch and throttle are relatively heavy compared to Jap stuff. Great for top gear roll ons and mile munching though.
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Pictorgraphicalfantastical