Looking to buy an 06 ST and have some question.

[gaj-nc]

I may have an opportunity to buy a 06 Sprint ST, provided I can sell my 08 V-strom 650 (wife's condition to get PO approved) It appears to be a really good deal, $5k with 3500 miles. I am some what concerned with the slight forward sitting position as compared to the v-strom. I do mostly commuting with a few weekend rides and the occasional weekend trip to the mountains. Can I expect a more uncomfortable ride on longer rides (knowing that opinions may vary)? What about wind noise and turbulence? Have a lot of you guys added bar risers to help offset the forward cant? Any things I should be aware of in the 06 model? What information I have found says the Sprint ST is a solid bike. Is it easy to do your own wrenching on, especially routine maintenance? My closet Triumph dealer is 1 1/2 hours away. Would that be a concern to you guys? I've looked around and seen a few threads regarding recalls, has that been a recurring issue with the ST? Should I be concerned about quality? Thanks for any input. The Sprint ST sure is a SWEEET looking ride.

[DaveM]

Welcome to the forum gaj-nc

It would be helpful if we knew where in the world you live

Fill out some more info in your side bar by using the UCP.

Don and I ask all our noobs to also please read our forum stickies.

Enjoy the forum

Cheers
DaveM

[Tri-oomph!]

As for the riding position, many people have added either, Gen Mar risers ($105), the higher Triumph factory bars ($200), LSL handlebar kit ($300 or so), Converti-bars ($??) and I think there's one other I am forgetting.

I am short with perhaps longish arms for my 5'6" frame, but I have gotten used to the stock '06 position. In '08, I did a 4,000 mile trip in 11 days with no back, neck or wrist problems. Now the seat is another story.

I came from a Ninja 650R which is almost bolt upright and I actually prefer the more sporting position now. And I am sort of an old guy. If all else is good with you and you buy the bike, the bars are minor--you can change them.

[STORMRIDER]

Like Triooomph said the clip-ons/bars are just a detail
I have the '05 and so the clip-ons are the same height as the one you're looking at (clip-ons were made taller as of year 2007)

As for the seat I do not find uncomfortable at all, but then, I haven't done such a big stretch as trioomph did, althought last season in our two weeks trip, we managed something like 6000km.

Overall, this is one of the best Ergos I've experienced on a sport-touring bike so far, albeit Im also short and find it probably fits a taller person better.

Question: Have you heard the sound of it ? Its most certainly the best sounding stock engine sound of ALL bikes (yes we're biased, but then, you shouldnt ask us if you want a 100% objective answer, now would'ya ? )

Go for it, sounds like a sweet deal!

[gaj-nc]

I am 43, so not a youngin any more but not too old. I have a Suzuki DL650 and I like that since it's sitting stance was similar to the dirt bike I used to have. Felt very much in control. What it the wind buffeting like on your helmet? I always wear ear plugs, so noise doesn't bother me too much, but I hate buffeting. BTW, I'm about 6'0 with a 32in inseam. Like I said, I'm trying to line up a visit, but haven't heard back from the guy. Any thing in particular I should look for, as in problems?

[wannab]

That is a good deal. I have an 06, with the stock bars. I also have a bad left wrist with limited movement (bone graft) from a previous off in 92. The bars were a concern of mine as well. I have almost 20,000 trouble free miles on mine now. I still have the stock bars, and I have went to INDY for the GP twice from Knoxville TN. Been to Atlanta down HWY60 a few times. the bars do not bother my wrists like I thought they would. I am 6' and 235lbs. I have found that anything over 70mph and the wind helps support your torso, to take the weight off your wrists. I did buy a "cramp buster" for the throttle at indy this year for the ride home though. it helped a lot. I also have a bulged disc in the L4/L5, and have found that the leaned over position of the sprint does not bother my back while I ride. However, riding my buddy's FJR with it's more upright position aggravates my back. I'd have to say for my "conditions" , I dont think I could find a more comfortable bike. The sprint might not be the fastest bike, but it sure looks fast sitting still. LOL I promise you, you will get more compliments about the sprint, than you will the V-strom. you wont see as many sprints on the road either, plus you will have the added bonus of telling the smug harley riders, that you are riding a triumph (harley's older brother's bike) I've had mine over a year, and I still love it like the day I bought it. 5k is a nice find too. I paid more than that for mine, and would gladly do it again.

[wannab]

Originally Posted by gaj-nc

Any thing in particular I should look for, as in problems?

more than likely, the front brake feel is going to be crap. the pistons stick in the calipers. you can search "tokico 6 pots", basically busa calipers. they bolt right up, and help the feel. even though most think it is the master cylinders fault. i.e. you have to pump the lever to get good bite.

just look for signs of it being down. make sure all the plastic lines up. you will love oil changes on this bike. the filter and drain plug are inches apart. more than likely with that few of miles, the throttle cables will need to be adjusted, if PO did not do it. they come from the factory with a lot of slop. kick the tires, start the engine, and if he lets you test ride it, you will buy it. first mods, would be 6 pots, and then an 18 tooth front sprocket. it makes the bike much more fun to ride. then I would get rid of the stock bridgestones that are on the bike. Enjoy it, I think you will love it more than the Vstrom, which is a good all around bike in itself.

[champ87]

Gaj,

I have an '06 and I like the riding position. After years of riding sportbikes the stock bars and low screen seem very comfortable to me. I'm not as tall as you. If the bars don't suit there are easy alternatives available.

The Sprint ST really proved itself to me when I did a 5000 mile roadtrip earlier this year. That included 980 miles in one day - the stock seat isn't a killer but it could be better.

My main gripe on that trip was heat. Riding in 106ºF heat in Arizona wearing protective gear is not the best of fun but a stream of hot air from inside the fairing made it worse. I later found out, through this forum (thanks guys ), that later Sprints had foam inserts inside the fairing to block some heat so I added those. They were only $33 and very easy to fit. If you plan to ride in warm weather you should add those if the bike doesn't have them already. Change of coolant helps too.

[gaj-nc]

works out. This price is very enticing given other used Sprints are going between $7k - $8K, so 5 grand is very much in my price range, given I think I can get close to that selling the Vstrom. The seller says he needs to sell quick cause he is moving out west, not sure why that would matter, but that is his story. My fear is that I can't sell my bike before he sells the Sprint or has to move. Not sure I can convince the wife to buy the Sprint while trying to sell the Strom. I took me about a year to see my dirt bike. Yes, it is different uses as the dirt bike is pure toy, but none the less, she doesn't want to have 5 grand out lay in cash and a crappy economy that might hinder my selling of the Strom. I guess if it is meant to be, then it will happen. I just need to guy to get back in touch so I can go see the bike.

[Croak]

Coming from a Wee, I think you'll be amazed at how quiet the Sprint is compared to it. Yes, your face is in the air if you're average height, but it's not buffeted, since it's in clean air when using the stock shield. Makes a world of difference. There's still some buffeting going on in crosswinds, but that'll happen on any bike, and at least it's not amplified by the windscreen design.

Based on all the Strom windscreen threads I've seen (and my own personal experience), due to the factory windscreen design, the big Strom has some of the worst actual buffeting of any production bike outside of a barn-door fairing cruiser, and the Wee isn't much better.

If you really want to see what the Sprint feels like at speed, just stand up a bit on your Strom's pegs. Notice the noise levels drop off quite a bit, and how much more steady and relaxed your head is (at least with a decently designed helmet).

Also, from my own personal experience, if you muck around too much with increasing the height of the Sprint's screen, you'll get a bit better direct weather protection, but at the cost of a lot more rider fatigue in the form of buffeting, and less air pressure to keep the weight off your wrists. I ride year-round in Canada, and use a MRA Vario screen in the cold weather, but I try to keep it as low as possible, putting the wind just above my chin. Once it warms up, the stock screen goes back on.