Triumphrat

adg44 · 05-09-2008

It has been about two weeks since I picked up my new 06 Sprint ST, and here is my initial review of the bike:

Styling: A+
Granted this is all subjective, and we wouldn't buy a bike that we didn't think looks good, but I love the look of the Sprint. The flow, design, and lines of this bike are excellent.

Instrumentation: A-
The guage layout is great. I love the three rings, and the "three" theme on the bike (exhaust tips). The tach in the center is clear and easy to read, as are the dials. I like the computer on the right side, although I wish it would display outside temperature and also have a gear indicator on it. I don't think those would be hard things to add as a revision for the next model Sprint.

Fit and Finish: C
One of the panels that covers the side of the winsheild (above the instrumentation) doesn't quite fit too well, and there are some panel gaps. Generally though, everything seems rather well cosntructed. The plastics feel of lesser quality than of my last bike, but I am also comparing it to a BMW, so that's not exactly fair. The surrounds of the dials seem a little flimsy, as does the actual plastic covering the guages, but it's not bad.

Initial Quality: D
On my bike, this has been really bad. The fuel pump was dead when they pulled it out of storage (it was sitting for two years). Then the rear fairing bubbled from the heat sheild for the exhaust touching it. Furthermore, the engine sometimes cuts out under hard breaking and when releasing the clutch, but it only does it randomly. The engine also seems to sputter and is rough between 2500-3500 RPM when light on the throttle. I think it just needs some attention, perhaps a new flash and a TB alignment, as well as who knows what else. It goes back into the dealer next Tuesday. Also, when I removed the fairings the other day, the rubber mounts/holders for the relays were all dry-rotted and torn. Some of the relays were just hanging there by the connectors. So, I put some electrical tape around all of them and taped them together so they would stay in place until I can get new mounts.

Ride/Handling: A
The bike is a blast to ride, and it handles great. It is well balanced, easy to lean, and hasn't given me the feeling of being out of control. The front suspension seems a little mushy sometimes (lots of dive under braking), but I also haven't adjusted it yet. The ride is firm, but not harsh. I find the bike very comfortable, even with the low bars. I am 6'2 and 215lbs, and I fit quite well on the bike. It is a bit of a foward lean, but it is a natural lean. My last bike was much more upright, but it caused me to hunch over, and that really hurt my back after a while. Also, the seat on this bike is excellent. It is contoured well and is a bit wider than some other seats, and works out very well for me.

Brakes: C+
I read a lot about mushy brake levers and sometimes seized calipers on here before I bought my bike, and it had me worried. My last bike had power assisted ABS brakes, so I didn't really have "feel" like this bike has, but I have noticed the front brakes are a little soft feeling sometimes. The bike always stops well, just the feeling the brakes give is not very positive. I wouldn't consider it a defect or a reason not to get the bike, just something that is different about it.

Engine: A+
This is what makes the bike, and it is just amazing. The exhaust note, linear power delivery, an great top end pull are the reason to buy this bike. I can't get enough of the engine. They may have skimped on some quality issues and some fit and finish concerns, but they didn't get anything wrong with the engine. I can't wait till I pass 1,000 miles so I can really get on it. I have noticed some realtively poor gas mileage (about 25-30 MPG), although I am really only doing city riding, and the engine is still breaking in. I assume this will get better, and also it could be that the issue that is causing my stalling also is affecting the gas mileage.

Headlights: C
The beam pattern is good, just they don't project far enough. I also noticed that they should probably be adjusted higher than where they come from the factory. I ordered some Osram NightBreaker +90 bulbs yesterday, and they arrived today. I will install them this weekend and provide pictures and a review of the increase in lighting.

This is all I can think of for right now, and I just figured I would share. Perhaps this will help some people interested in picking up a Sprint and looking for a review.

- Anthony