Triumphrat

scratch · 12-23-2005

My humble buying advice:

Make your offers on each bike and see what happens. The worst that can happen is that they say no. But don't immediately make a higher offer if they do. Be polite, give them your phone number, thank them and leave. Let them have a few days to reconsider your offer and see if they call you. If not, then go back and see if you can negotiate it again. Above all, you don't want to get in a hurry or appear to be too much in love with the bike. They will sense that and hold out for their asking price.

BTW, I think $ 7k for the '01 Sprint RS is way too high. I've seen more than one new '04 being advertised for that. Having owned both, my opinion is that the RS has better wind protection (especially with a taller screen) slower steering, and softer suspension. The S3 is lighter, quicker, more manueverable and more comfortable up to 70 mph. With a tall tank bag and a Laminar Lip screen the S3 has adequate wind protection for day-long riding.

TommyV · 12-23-2005

Well, I called the dealer (a new car dealer) to get down to a final price and arrange to pick up the 03 and they sold it 30 minutes before I called! They had the bike for a year and had put it on Ebay 3 times and it never hit reserve. They told me it was on ebay and someone hit the buy it now for $5500. I went and checked and it's all legit. Oh well, you snooze you lose!

I called back about the 01 here locally and he came down to $3900 and will sell me a new rear tire at cost and install it for free.

The previous owner was 230 lbs and bought and installed race tech springs for his weight, front and rear. I'm trying to get ahold of him about the stock springs. Would they be about right for me at 180lbs?

I think this is a fair deal, the dealer has $4000 in the bike on trade according to the prior owner who bought a new BMW from him. Plus I lost my leverage when the other bike sold. It's possible the Ebay deal could fall through, but I talked to the GM at the dealership and he had already had a phone conversation and arranged for a money order to be sent, so that's unlikely.

Thanks for everyone's input! Now I need to start working on some gear.

Tommy

[ This message was edited by: TommyV on 2005-12-23 16:34 ]

TripleThreat · 12-27-2005

So... TommyV...

Did you end up buying the Neon Blue '01? If so, I think you will be very happy with it! The seat on the '01 and earlier is much more comfortable than the '02-'04 models in my opinion. I've ridden mine over 600 miles in a day and had no problems except for a tired neck from the wind pressure. I only ride that long of a trip 1 time per year, so it isn't really a problem. Most of my rides are weekend day trips that encompass no more than 300 miles with the RAT Pack. On these trips we usually have a destination in mind where we eat lunch, sit around and talk bikes for a while and then ride back home.

My Neon Blue '01 struck a chord with me and it has been by far, the most fun I have had on two wheels - and also on one!

Let us know how you get along with your new toy!

TripleThreat

TommyV · 12-27-2005

I called and committed to buying the 01 today. I'm visiting family in St. Louis, so won't be able to pick it up for a few days. I'm going by Donelson's to check out some gear in the AM. I basically need everything as I've been dedicated to the dirt for several years.

I'm sure I'll be very happy with the 01. The blue is just so cool to me! I've been reading old posts and looking for ideas for upgrades and mods. The first thing I need to do is replace the grips. The prior owner had gigantic hands and foam grips to accomodate them. Secondly, I need to replace the fork and rear shock springs. If I can get the stockers back from the original owner, is that the way to go? I'm 185 lbs, no gear. He was 230, no gear. I'd really appreciate some input on this as I have no idea. I know I can go to race tech for new springs, but would need some advice on rates.

Tommy :-D

scratch · 12-27-2005

Congrats! If you can get the stock springs too, then try both sets and see if either works for you.

BTW, I envy you for living so close to some great roads. I've ridden in SW Missouri a few times. MO 125 is simply incredible!

[ This message was edited by: scratch on 2005-12-27 20:21 ]

beers2u · 12-27-2005

I think you'll be fine with the stock springs. I'm 190 sans gear and the stock suspension works fine for me.

Congrats...the blue '01's are very nice looking.

speedtriple13 · 12-28-2005

You'll love the 01'.

The Neon Blue is not very common. The Black and Green were much more common.

I have 45,000 on mine, and the only issues were the clutch cable recall and the fuel fittings that were also a recall. If the fittings have not been changed already, I would suggest getting the all metal fittings from Team Triumph, as within a year of getting the recall fittings instgalled, one of the tank side fittings cracked. I now have metal on both halves.

TommyV · 12-29-2005

I haven't heard back from the original owner about the springs, but he told me before he had taken care of the clutch cable and had put metal fittings on both sides. I'm going to go pick it up tomorrow! I'm totally stoked!

Tommy