Triumphrat

bonkur · 06-27-2005

I just picked up a new/used 99 ST in SoCal and rode it 600 miles to Sacramento. I noticed that there seems to be a lot of "engine" noise. The bike has just over 5K miles on it, and basically sat for the last 4 years. Did I get suckered, or is engine noise common on this bike?

DaveM · 06-27-2005

bonkur,
from what I understand and comparing my ST with other Jap machines I have owned, they do make a bit of engine noise.

Someone will respond that has your model, my guess is it is normal.

Cheers,
davem

jefftarlton · 06-27-2005

They have quite a bit of whirling noises coming from the engine at idle. At speed under load the primary gears remind me of an old Z1.
The fuel pressure regulator noise comes and goes.
I like the sounds, they give the bike some personality.

bonkur · 06-27-2005

Quote:

On 2005-06-27 16:41, jefftarlton wrote:
They have quite a bit of whirling noises coming from the engine at idle. At speed under load the primary gears remind me of an old Z1.
The fuel pressure regulator noise comes and goes.
I like the sounds, they give the bike some personality.

That's a relief!

I bought this bike under the ruse of replacing my wife's SV650S, but of course I really intend to use it for commuting myself, and reduce the miles I put on my Aprilia. So far I am loving the ST, but I haven't had a chance to take it out into the twisties yet. Wifey likes it to, but is not sure she wants to part with her SV yet...

[ This message was edited by: bonkur on 2005-06-27 17:12 ]

DragonDan · 06-28-2005

Excellent choice!
Yes, the noises our machines make (pre 2002 are somewhat worse) have been described as "Agricultural"

I can't believe you found a '99 with 5K on it! It isn't even broken in yet. Mine had 25K, and I though it was a good deal. As long as you pop by your local TR dealer and check that all the recall stuff have been taken care of, you should be in fine shape.

There is no anti-backlash thingy for the chain drive, my biggest complaint (which is only a small annoyance in the overall scheme of things) so decelerating sounds like you're piloting a diesel!

The thing I have seen here on the 'boards is that the transmission is kinda clunky, from what I read, mine is less than most. I have only had one false neutral, coming off the freeway downshifting into 4th, and it was "between gears". You shouldn't have any real problems. Just make sure you are deliberate with shifting, and pre-loading the shift lever is a good thing.
One thing about these bikes that everyone seems to agree on is that they are Over-engineered and dam near bulletproof.

Enjoy! :-D

bonkur · 06-28-2005

Agricultural! That's a laugh! The latest issue of T.W.O. called the Aprilia Rotax engine agricultural in a naked bike comparo. I will definately drop by the local Triumph dealer for an inspection and recall info. The dealer in Orange County helped me out with a free chain adjustment before I started my trip, and I didn't even buy the bike from them. I've been to my local shop a few times (mostly to take free rides on a speed trip) and they were always helpful.

firemanjim · 06-29-2005

Curt,let me know if you need any tips.I have a '99 ST also.Have had a bunch of it apart for fiddling so might save you some sweat/headacches.Just down the road in Vacaville.I am suprised you mention engine noise--you had a Buell---- :-D

bonkur · 06-29-2005

Quote:

On 2005-06-28 23:10, firemanjim wrote:
Curt,let me know if you need any tips.I have a '99 ST also.Have had a bunch of it apart for fiddling so might save you some sweat/headacches.Just down the road in Vacaville.I am suprised you mention engine noise--you had a Buell---- :-D

Jim! I guess I do remember you having a Triumph. It's good to hear from you. Maybe I could meet up with you one of these evenings real soon to get your opinion on my ST. It definately has more engine noise than my old Buell, and that's what's worrying me. Other than that, I really like the bike, although I haven't had a chance to trash it yet on the twisties :-D It's definately more gentlemanly than my Aprilia, which is good since it is supposed to be the wife's bike!

davsato · 06-30-2005

hi all,
i have an '04 ST and it makes all sorts of noise, rattles, clunks etc. (and that growl on runover, oh yeah...)
its true it gives the bike some character. i went to this from a honda CBR600 which purred like a sewing machine, but it was soul-less and got boring. for months whenever the ST made a new noise i would think it was about to burst and rush home to check the oil, but i learned to love to my new best mate.
sniff! i think im gonna cry........

thfwsf · 06-30-2005

I went rideing the other day with my neighbor. He was riding a 90 something goldwing and I was riding my Sprint. He made a comment that he thought we were at a construction site, as he said it sounded like a jack hammer!!! However, I will state his goldwing sounded like a sewing maching....

BTW, I love the "agricultural" sound of my Sprint. It is definitely part of the character of having a Triumph!

Tom