Sprint 955 - reliable commuter?

[c_dug]

Hi all,

Somebody came to view my vfr yesterday, he's got a 955 sprint for sale, around 35,000 miles, cosmetically on the poor side of average by the sounds of it. He reckons it's worth around a grand. He said he'd be interested in mine either way, but asked if I'd consider a part-ex.

I've been looking for a cheap commuter to tide me over until I have a bit more money available again, so I've had my eye out for a GPZ500 or anything NTV based.

Given the 955 is decidedly un-GPZ like, am I mad to be considering it?

Obviously it depends on consumables and what not, but in general is there much to be wary of with these? I can't say I know much about them.

Thanks
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I am a bellend, I am a man of constant sorrow, I am a gummy bear, I am a rock.

[SIG1981]

from experience working on them I wouldn't for the following reasons :

1- plastic fuel tank - the amount of ethnol in unleaded these days is known to melt the plastic tanks causing fuel leaks - meaning new tank required (especially morrisons fuel).
2- fuel pump plate bolts are known to pull metal inserts out of the plastic tank especially when fuel filter is replaced - meaning new tank required.
3- fuel level sensors stick - giving false / no reading on guage.
4- ecu fills with water - giving running issues - new ecu required and visit to triumph.
5- ignition coils corrode giving running issues - not the cheapest to replace
6- throttle body stepper motor siezes up - giving high or no revs at tickover.
7- chain adjuster seizes into swingarm quickly.
8- rubber seal between airbox and throttle stepper motor cracks and gives poor running.
9- vacuum hoses from stepper motor to throttle bodies crack and break quickly giving running issues.
10- they require expert servicing to run spot on - things go out of tolerance quickly especially valve clearances ( not uncommon to replace all 12 valve shims every 12000m). - its amazing how many garages / people think " its just an engine like any other " and make a mess of servicing resulting in visit to triumph specialist to sort , which normally results in a large bill from the effects of the previous " cheaper" service .

driving wise you either love or hate them as they are quite agricultural and not as refined compared to a vfr.

For £1000 I would be very cautious as its a potential costly can of worms.

[noobRider]

Sig makes them sound terrible but I don't think they're awful. I have one that's done about that mileage and had another before this. £1,000 is the most you'd pay for a ratty one. The chain adjusters seizing is a common issue, mine haven't yet. Sprag starters also can fail. My first one did have a duff fuel sensor and because of the shape of the tank my current one only starts to go down much when you're down to the last quarter of a tank. 200 miles on a tank of fuel. I've not had issues with mine apart from when I've dropped it and broken things. You can't work on anything without removing the fairings. which is a pain. Back brakes seem to eat pads, but that's probably me. Panniers are v useful but not huge so OK for filtering. It accelerates smoothly to licence-losing speeds and will do 140+. Standard exhaust is V quiet . It's a very easy ride.
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Licence: Nov 2012, Bikes: Suzuki GN125, Moto Guzzi Strada 750, Triumph Sprint ST 955i x 2
AnPhonEh: I need plans, I need contingency plans also, I need back up contingency plans

[MarJay]

I had a 1998 Daytona 955i I bought in 2002. I sold it to a friend a few years later, and he's just sold it. It's done nearly £40k and he does no routine maintenance other than a dealer oil change every year. When you wash it it still comes up looking as good as the day I bought it, and it still rides amazingly well. If the Sprint is built half as well, and is anywhere near as understressed it should just go and go.
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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.

[G]

If going for it, I'd try and get them down to £800 maybe.

As a bargaining tool:
www.ebay.co.uk/itm/311557063725