Triumph Sprint - talk to me :)

[defblade]

I had narrowed my next commuter down to F800S/ST (belt), something not GS in the BMW R1xxx series (shaft), or maybe a CBF1000 (oily old chain). VFRs are nosing around the edges still, mind you

Looking for a bit more power - occasionally find the bigger engined German saloons hard to keep up with off roundabouts etc on the Bandit, which can be embarrasing; good mpg if possible; reliability; possibly not chain drive to save daily maintainance/scotoiler fiddling. A bit more "character" than the Bandit would be nice, too.

The F800 is probably top of the list at moment for my head, my heart is decided yet

I'm 6'4", by the way, so I don't fit sports bikes.

Anyhow a local advert for a Triumph Sprint ST 1050 caught my eye and I know next to sod all about them... how do they stack up to the list above?
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Honda Varadero 125cc => Suzuki Bandit 650 33bhp => 77bhp =>
BMW K1200R Sport 163bhp => Aprilia Shiver GT 750 95bhp

[G]

GSXR1000?



(Seen 6'4" people ride them just fine, stop moaning!)

I haven't ridden F800S/ST, but do kinda fancy one - I believe they're a good chunk lighter than the other options you list.

[arry]

Wotchar

Going to copy pasta from here:
https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=278087&highlight=

As I've sort of said what I feel about my one

[Bendy]

Great engine (dat burble ) but never thought much of the brakes.

In truth, it was a bit big and heavy for me, at five foot six. Loved it for distance, was a bit unwieldy for me in town.

Ride one, see what you think.

[Knightsy]

6'6'' here. I got the Sprint mainly because of it size, and it fits.
Really well in fact, so you won't have any issues on that front.

The triple in that thing is a peach. Pulls nice and smoothly from any gear.
Hell, first day I rode it I wondered what the 4th, 5th and 6th gears are for

Seat's all right, but it doesn't work with me (I got spoiled by an armchair Versys comes equipped with ).

The rest of the bike is good. Not excellent, but good.
Brakes are bit weak, but they do the job. Needs a bit of convincing to lean it, but when it does, it stays there.
It's shit in town, due to weighing something like 1/4 of a ton filled up, and pushing the thing around is a massive pain.

But the exhaust does this hooliganish pop every time you come off the throttle, which makes it all ok



Overall however, it's a good bike. Not one I'd fall in love with, but a good one regardless.
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09' Versys 650 | 07' FJR1300A

[defblade]

[Knightsy]

[MarkJ]

Engine is amazing, handling is pretty good for such a heavy lump. It's fantastic two up, dead comfy. I'm 6' 2" with a 37" inside leg and it's got loads of room.

Brakes are crap, especially if it's an older (05) Sprint - fix is 675 brake pistons and a larger master cylinder.

Sprint 1050 in a nutshell:

[radicalrabit]

THINKING HERE ex police r1200rt ARE CHEAP SOME PRIVATE ONES ARE TOO, pan 1300? or sticking with BMW R1150 If you want comfort you wont beat the R1200 series Triumph 1300 Pan 1300 come close.
Nippy and economical? F800st GREAT LITTLE BIKES .
More exotic tends to mean more expensive insurance more maintenance costs. If you want to power along happily in comfort at 90+ Big bikes not sport bikes, because they are hell after a few hours...
Notice the CBR1100xx Blackbird isn't on your list , with full luggage , taller screen Bar risers or straight bar conversion and you have yourself a bloody quick long range touring missile ....6mm shim mod on the rear shock and you have yourself a better handling ;long range touring missile. and I mean 168 mph two up quick ! Triumph sprint is a totally different animal so that really comes down to what you want it to do and how many different roles it has to fill and what the cost restrictions are,,,,
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VF1000 F2F, BLACKBIRD with carbs, 2nd VF1000F2F just need somewhere to go now..

[radicalrabit]

THINKING HERE ex police r1200rt ARE CHEAP SOME PRIVATE ONES ARE TOO, pan 1300? or sticking with BMW R1150 If you want comfort you wont beat the R1200 series Triumph 1300 Pan 1300 come close.
Nippy and economical? F800st GREAT LITTLE BIKES .
More exotic tends to mean more expensive insurance more maintenance costs. If you want to power along happily in comfort at 90+ Big bikes not sport bikes, because they are hell after a few hours...
Notice the CBR1100xx Blackbird isn't on your list , with full luggage , taller screen Bar risers or straight bar conversion and you have yourself a bloody quick long range touring missile ....6mm shim mod on the rear shock and you have yourself a better handling ;long range touring missile. and I mean 168 mph two up quick ! Triumph sprint is a totally different animal so that really comes down to what you want it to do and how many different roles it has to fill and what the cost restrictions are,,,,
____________________
VF1000 F2F, BLACKBIRD with carbs, 2nd VF1000F2F just need somewhere to go now..

[Walloper]

Try a R1200GS man. Perfect for 6 fitters. They go like shite aff a shovel two. (Big torkz). Great MPG and superb luggage/cargo capabilities.
Some vibes at some revs but nice ride.
Surprisingly better than a Sportsbike on a backroad.
So much so that Jixer riders totally hate the way the back-end of a GS looks

As far as looks are concerened, I could never see much of my GS from the helm.
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W-ireless A-rtificial L-ifeform L-imited to O-bservation P-eacekeeping and E-fficient R-epair

[Knightsy]

[radicalrabit]

[defblade]

[defblade]

[defblade]

[Knightsy]

[Walloper]

[Knightsy]

Mostly Ebay and MCN once in a while.
There are some nice, low mileage ones popping up once in a while for £5k or so, but I can't make any serious moves as of now.

Not until I get rid of the Sprint first that is (Expect an ad in "Bikes & Accessories" soon ).

Out of curiosity, do you do the valve clearance adjustment yourself?
If so, how long does it take you to do it?
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09' Versys 650 | 07' FJR1300A

[Walloper]