'04 Sprint RS.....yes? I buy?

[sparky675]

I just joined the pack. I am pondering a favorite question... to buy or not to buy?
I am looking to outdo my husband's yella VFR, a bike he has fallen madly in love with and my only hope is perhaps this yella '04 Sprint RS (which I find to be gorgeous!! And fast!!)
My concerns are: 3rd owner, no records; 10+ k miles; no luggage (yet); unknown problem areas for this model
BUT..... Z price S right! Only $2500! Plus, I only travel 15 miles to pick up my new baby.....
What do you think? (ALL input will be appreciated! Thanks!)

[JRCollings]

I think I would take my local trusted mechanic with me to check over ANY used bike I was considering purchasing from a private party / without a warranty. Better safe than sorry.

[ride4321]

Good luck with that. It's very hard to get a VFR owner over to our side especially if it's a late 90's version. Do everything you can to make him weak at the knees and he'll probably listen to you. Other than that he'll have to ride a triple and fall in love on his own terms.It will happen but you need to get his butt on that triple.

[sparky675]

Originally Posted by ride4321

Good luck with that. It's very hard to get a VFR owner over to our side especially if it's a late 90's version. Do everything you can to make him weak at the knees and he'll probably listen to you. Other than that he'll have to ride a triple and fall in love on his own terms.It will happen but you need to get his butt on that triple.

He can stay on his V-4! I just want him to chase me on my I-3!
He loves the tourer, I love the sport! So, I found this RS, yella like his, and I imagine him like a butterfly trying to catch me the yellow jacket! (OUCH!)

BTW I did learn that the second owner was a priest--a good omen perhaps. But three riders in 5 years!? Seems the trumpet is being passed around! I think that having a mechanic look at it first is good advice.

Luggage suggestions?

[dolson]

No maintenance records is a big minus. I would really have it checked and plan on changing out all the vital fluids.

If it checks out Ok you should have no problem smoking his butt

Don

[frider]

12K is a major service schedule.......

IF it's been looked after, it is a steal, for that price......but remember, 12K, valves check plus quite a few other bits n bobs MIGHT need doing....and if you think Honda mechanics are expensive, just wait 'till you try to find a good Triumph one..

BUT, the RS without a doubt, will be both faster/rarer/better handling/more economical and just as much fun as that gear driven cam V4........esp if it's a later, slower V-Tec jobbie!!

Could be a good bargain, but yes, you really need a Triumph person to go with you

No 1 reason: Triples, at tick over ( even the good ones) will sound like a mechanical bag of spanners, next to a V4 Honda, but once moving, they smooth out..

Major problems, with the later 955i 2nd Gen motah.........not really any at all.

Battery....HAS to be A+ at ALL times.....major problems can happen if you try to turn over a Triple with a weak battery.

Fuel fittings: ask if the (chocolate) plastic fuel fitting recall has been done....even better if a previous owner replaced BOTH fittings, as the one 'in the tank' can and does fail

Plugs/Petrol tank drain hoses.....should be checked, cleaned/replaced.......sometimes, water that cannot drain from the filler cap, gets into the fuel......and the l/h side sparkplug well can fill with rusty water.......
both are relatively minor fixes....but can give rise to mis firing/erratic running....

Other than that, I can't think of anything majorly wrong with the RS,...........and once you feel that triple motah pull, you will wonder what all the fuss was over almost any V4!!!!!

[Lugan]

For $2500, unless it's been abused, buy it before someone else does. That vintage is the most matured version of the 955 motor, and assuming the condition is "average", it will last you a long long time. These are robust machines.

Have you looked at it yet? test ridden it? What's your impression of the current owner? - you can tell a lot by an assessment of him/her. Personally, I expect to NOT see records available for a used car or bike. The opposite is the exception and still not a guarantee of anything.

If you're not mechanically inclined, take it to a bike mechanic - doesnt need to be a Triumph mechanic specifically as a "pre-purchase" inspection is relatively basic.

Good luck and enjoy it.

[steventhechef]

All good advice so far. If it is sound, buy it. You won't regret it, they are a bullet proof bike with heaps of character

[Jedi]

I agree w/ the others.

The price is great, GREAT!

But, I am not sure how much it runs to change everything (fluids, ect) so I would plan on spending the $ 2,500 for the bike and mabey another $ 500 in maintenance.

Also, bring someone very familiar with the Sprint to listen/ride it for you, or bring a mechanical friend to look it over really close.

If it looks/rides/sounds good, go for it and blow your Hubby away!

[Dusty]

Sounds good to me. With regard to luggage, I initially used Triumph soft panniers on my RS but prefer hard luggage. Following a lead from Seumas on this site, I fitted SW Motech alurack for a topbox and the quick release side case frames for Givi. These are described as suitable for the ST but fit the RS nicely. You may have to lower the standard silencer at the pillion peg mount by about 1" but that's no problem. My aftermarket silencer is OK because it's slimmer.I also use a Baglux tank cover and tankbag. With that lot on, it's a lovely sports tourer and easy to strip for "spirited riding" during your trip.
Good luck with it.