Advise on Speed Triples

[ANZAC78]

Hello,

I am in the market for either a Sprint ST or Speed Triple - used.

I have a line on a used 2001 Sprint ST but have always had a soft spot for the Speed Triple. I have never ridden either bike - I have a Honda Nighthawk now.

So, we have lots of used 2001 and 2002 for sale up here in the NW (Portland/Seattle).

Which ones (2000 - 2004) are better and are they really that fun to ride??

Let me know if anyone in the Portland area has one for sale too.

Thanks,

Mark

[Goffe]

Roam around Vancouver until you find the house that smells like massage oil, that would be Crash's house. Go ahead and take the Speedy you find there for an extended ride, he won't even notice it. He hardly rides it any more.

[crashmasterd]

Geoff, may a whole herd of feral spiders make a nest in your chest hair. You're just jealous. You should have seen the hot blond I was working on tonight! Single, beautiful, smart, and near enough my age that I don't feel like a cradle robber. But there's so many other choices!

Roam around Vancouver until you find the house that smells like massage oil, that would be Crash's house. Go ahead and take the Speedy you find there for an extended ride, he won't even notice it.

(That wouldn't work very well. I don't live in Vancouver proper, but somewhere in the surrounding area. Also, beware the attack Chihuahua. Thbbbbbpppphhh!)

[Goffe]

On 2007-01-26 02:09, crashmasterd wrote:
Geoff, may a whole herd of feral spiders make a nest in your chest hair.

Well, I don't know who this Geoff is, but if I come across one, I'll check his arachnid count.

You're just jealous.

Shhhhhhh.....

[Limey]

Dyslexia rules. K.O. :hammer:

[martinyoung]

99-01 is a better bike than the 02-04. More torquey engine, looks better, more aggressive, cheaper.

[scratch]

I owned a 2000 Sprint RS and now ride an '04 Speed Triple.

Oddly enough, even with the bars risers on the Sprint, the Speed Triple feels like it has a roomier riding position. Maybe it's just that the upright posture combined with a close reach to the bars makes it feel more relaxed. The Sprint (RS or ST) will certainly provide better wind protection, but the Speedy is good for steady speeds up to 70 or 75. The little Laminar Lip screen I've got on my S3 helps a bit too in that regard. I've taken the Speed Triple on a 2-week, 4,000 mile tour, and had no complaints, but YMMV.

Handling, it's the Speed Triple hands-down. Better suspension components combined with a shorter, lighter package. It is slightly more sensitive to cross-winds, but I got used to that. The Sprint isn't bad by any means, it just feels more like a touring bike.

The motor feels pretty much the same, but a slight edge goes to the revised '02-'04 955. It might simply be that the lighter weight of the Speed Triple accounts for much of the livelier feel. Finding neutral at a stop on my '04 is easier than it was on the '00, so the gearbox shows some improvement with the newer motor.

Fuel range is not as different as you might think. I could get a little over 210 miles on the Sprint before seeing the low-fuel light. The S3 gets to that point at about 180 miles.

If you plan on taking a passenger very often, the Sprint is more likely to make your guest happy, at least on the stock seats. The Sprint's handling is less affected by the extra weight too.



[ This message was edited by: scratch on 2007-01-26 13:45 ]

[martinyoung]

Up to 70 or 75? Ya big poof.

I find the S3 easier to ride at maintained high speed than the Sprint RS I had before. Easy to hold a steady 90-95 all day.

[Limey]

"Fuel range is not as different as you might think. I could get a little over 210 miles on the Sprint before seeing the low-fuel light. The S3 gets to that point at about 180 miles."


I'd be walking long before 180 miles.

:-D :hammer: :hammer:

[scratch]

On 2007-01-26 14:39, Limey wrote:

I'd be walking long before 180 miles.

:-D :hammer: :hammer:

A small trade-off you get with the 1050. :wink: