Triumph sprint 900 - Talk to me

[Tdibs]

Ey up fellas,


Ive been looking at Triumph sprint 900's at the cheaper end of the sprint range, they are ticking all the right boxes so far, I just have a niggling in the back of my mind about overall reliability, mainly electrics that is stopping my pulling the trigger. I have done the basic research, just a lot of it is conflicting on these bikes, I was wondering if I could could any owners to chip in on their opinions, or a general consensus if its a duffer or not? or most likely to be at the age these machines are at now. (mainly looking at 1st gen ones due to budget, is the 2nd gen a huge leap forwards?)

Cheers!
____________________
Previous : 09 Vanvan 125| 02' Sv650s || Current: 1999 Xj600n | 1992 DR650 RSE | 2005 Fazer 1000

[MCN]

955i?

I had a bike with the 955i engine. Unreliable Junk. The most unreliable bike I've owned.
____________________
Disclaimer: The comments above may be predicted text and not necessarily the opinion of MCN.

[Tdibs]

Talking pre-955i, but also interested if the 955i version is a major upgrade.

This is what I have come by most though, people having a huge myraid of problems or nothing, just "touchy" bikes?

Like my divvy, I think, engine aside I could probably bodge most bits at the roadside if it stops going, but are the sprints more garage queens than surviving running winters?
____________________
Previous : 09 Vanvan 125| 02' Sv650s || Current: 1999 Xj600n | 1992 DR650 RSE | 2005 Fazer 1000

[Polarbear]

[Major Doss]

885cc Steamer lump? Many posts re.
You want to see a receipt of the starter clutch being replaced. A real one that you can check provenance. Budget £1K otherwise.
Heavy, brakes need regular cleaning, much like most bikes of the era.
Bodywork getting rare/expensive.
Make sure the tacho works, as these tend to go for a kazillion quid, unless you want to go aftermarket? Don't, btw.
Have a good push/pull/yank around moving bits, as the weight takes it's toll on the suspension.
Not as collectable/nickable as the Speed Triple, but hey, them motors fit....
ST cams are nice.

[Tdibs]

1k budget is not going to get a decent runner tbh, other option in budget range, and what I am used to is a divvy 900, the triumph just looks to have a lot more character and enjoyment, but at the cost of not letting me start every trip?

Safe option says a divvy 900 with full kit. I cant see myself being crazy excited over touring a 900 divvy though, they are solid, but they are what they are.
____________________
Previous : 09 Vanvan 125| 02' Sv650s || Current: 1999 Xj600n | 1992 DR650 RSE | 2005 Fazer 1000

[Tdibs]

So sprint 900's are pretty much knackered at this point or are going to be unless pristine?

955i's really that bad rep?
____________________
Previous : 09 Vanvan 125| 02' Sv650s || Current: 1999 Xj600n | 1992 DR650 RSE | 2005 Fazer 1000

[pompousporcup...]

think he meant budget 1k for the start clutch malarky if it hadn't been done

i was looking at sprint st/spring rs just last night as they look to be fairly cheap.. like you i've seen a lot of mixed reviews.. ie they either work.. or don't

[Diggs]

885 a strong engine bar sprag clutches on earlier versions. Check to see if it has been replaced, or if not whether it has got a decent battery.

Fork seals go regularly but easy to fix.

Brakes decent when maintained but go off quickly.

Clocks have a mind of their own - something to do with a pick-up or dodgy connection apparently. You could probably buy a whole bike cheaper than a decent set of replacement clocks so be prepared to live with wandering needles.

Check to see when the plugs and air filter were last replaced. Centre plug is a bitch and the air filter is a carbs off job which if you have old rubbers can open up a can of worms.

Coils may be degrading by now so check for misfire. £80 for three second hand.

Tall, heavy bike but fast enough and comfortable.

The best bit - that engine. Its addictive!!!!!!!
____________________
Now - Speed Triple, old ratty GS550, GSXR750M
Gone (in order of ownership) - Raleigh Runabout, AP50, KH125, GP125, KH250, CBX550, Z400, CB750FII, 250LC, GS550, ZXR750H1, Guzzi Targa, GSX750F, KH250 x2, Bimota SB6R and counting...

[MCN]

Well NKVD fan disagrees with my opinion.
I don't know why but assume it's because I am usually right.

The 1050 is a far superior beast that the previous offerings. My mate has one and it has never missed a beat.
I had:
Three unit coils on a new bike after 4k Miles (Warranty )
Then two failed on my second one with 6700-ish miles. (Fucking hassle over warranty )
One Sprag Clutch failure (warranty)
A continuing problem with the rear Hub-Swing arm eccentric meaning you cannot adjust the chain. They use a steel sleeve for the hub (eccentric) which 'slides' inside the swing arm (Aluminiminmun).
The whole deal is clamped in position by a bolt.
And is turned around in the swing arm to adjust the chain tension.
The issue is that the dissimilar materials electrolisise and more or less weld the moving pars together.
The only fix is to strip the hub. Major job and you need un-motorbike tools like a 3-1/2" socket and very very heavy duty circlip pliers to strip and rebuild.
The parts are de-fuzzed and put together again with a slather of anti-seize.
But I had to to do this twice. I think it woudl be better to use a Molylube Paste rather than copper-slip (as the dealer mechanic had wrongly advised.) as some compounds can react in certain conditions.

I dropped this bike twice. Probably down to poor handling or tyres or rider incompetence.

I swapped the Trumpet for BMWs and haven't had half the 'reliabilty' bother. In general. ANd haven't even nearly fell off.

I only stated wot I know for myself.

Would I have another?????

Maaaaaybe.....

I like the new Tigger. It looks Grrrrrreat.

But the other issue was getting spare parts. British bike but parts have to come from some distance beyond The Van Allen Belts I think.

edit:
ps I have the lower front right section of 'The Below Pan of the Fairing' going for cost of P&P to any taker.. Brand New Un-used dealer purchased
____________________
Disclaimer: The comments above may be predicted text and not necessarily the opinion of MCN.

[noobRider]

I've had two 955i's. No real problems. They've been reliable. Fuel level sensor went on my first one but no real consequence. Took the alarm out of my current one. Eccentric chain adjusters reportedly tend to seize but mine have been OK. Fairings have to come off to do any work. I did drop my current one twice on the EuroJolly, but that was definitely my fault. Easy to ride. Fast enough for me. £1,500 should get a decent one.
____________________
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

[jjdugen]

Had a Sprint RS in 'the family' since new in 2000. Brother toured it through France, mate bought it and he toured it through France. It has regularly done the IOM and many trips up to the far reaches of Scotland. Sold at 46K still going strong.

Problems:
Stated to hiccup and cut out when hot when coming to a stop. The air sensor gubbins had been bent out of the airbox (after a Triumph service!). No other engine or running problems.

Not had any electrical problems, uses an external field coil alternator, far better than the crank mounted things found on most bikes.

Triumph did a lot of faffing about with the ECU maps in the early days. Get Tune ECU and load the latest maps on their, transforms the whole feel of the bike.

RS Sprint has a conventional swinging arm, stronger and lighter with no adjuster cam problems.

It is a bit of a porker, but handles well enough. Brakes are excellent. IMHO the RS looks quite presentable. Going for not much money, as good as a VFR750 in most respects.

Engine sounds a bit agricultural at tickover, but is smooth and linear when moving.
Unsung hero in my books and well worth a look.
____________________
The CBR900RR has been sold. Aprilia Falco worms its way into my heart.
Try Soi 23 on Amazon for a good read.... Self promotion? Moi?

[FergieinFranc...]

Had one for 4 years, never had a problem, bags of linear power, suggest bar risers to ease the wrists on long journeys, only sold it as aches and pains at 66 got the better of me, bought an xjr1300 instead, but l do regret selling it, beautiful bike.
____________________
Prendre garde au temps entre le chien et le loup

You don't scare me....I've got a daughter...

[Major Doss]

[Raf]

[Eddie Hitler]

[Moo.]