Which review is right?!?

Hi All,

I will be picking up a new '05 (built in May) for a great deal, but which M/C review is correct. 4 out of 5 love the bike, although heat is alway the common problem, but M/C Consumer News panned this bike harshley. I haven't been able to test one, but put money down to reserve a thousand dollar discount on one in the next state over from me. Is the suspension compliant or punishing? Brakes mush or just a little extra lever travel? Heat really searing or just annoying on a hot day stopped in traffic. I've read and read here, but I'm looking for someone with a bike to dispel the magazine dicrepancies?

THANKS!
:???:

[mrclean]

The brakes on my non abs 05 sprint are excellent, the heat on my right calf can get pretty hot in city traffic and on hot days,the suspension is fine with me(5'10",185lbs) and I ride aggressive sometimes,The stock exhaust sounds very nice and the seat is comfy.I think all the magazines I've read complain about the seat but I think it's comfortable, nor is it hot.I still don't like the power delivery compared to my 99 sprint,it's too flat.It's a awesome looking bike that sounds and handles nice,if you buy it I hope you enjoy it as much as I do mine.How do you like your Tuono? I wanted to buy one but wanted a sporttouring bike too.Awesome looking bike.Good luck with your decision.

Thanks for replying.
For the record, I'm 6'3" 260 lbs (@37).
Tuono is a treat, but I haven't mastered it yet, can still go faster on the Strom, but that's because that is what I'm used too. Tuono is a thoroughbred and I'm not. Took Tuono from VA Beach to Pittsburg and back Labor day weekend and LOVED IT (with Sargent seat)!! Comfortable, precision machine, and power-power-then some more power. Not that wind it up 10,000 rpm power that you'll never use on the street- torque everywhere you WANT it. Just no luggage/passenger capacity- this is the ONLY reason I'm looking for another. (Just now sold the V-Strom and Valkyrie) V-Strom was an excellent, functional bike but NO pride in ownership, shallow Hal effect is true. Valkyrie, well, not enough function. I felt like yelling when someone passed me on a sportier bike; "this isn't really me", as I am no a poser.
...can't wait to ride the '05 Sprint for myself.

[ This message was edited by: FF3 on 2005-10-24 20:09 ]

[pinballjon]

I have an '05 built in May. The grab rail gets slightly warm but not uncomfortable after 100 miles. The seat doesn't get hot. There is some heat that comes out around your leg in the city when stopped at a light.

The suspension works fine for me other than bit more brake dive than I was used to. It's better since I firmed up the front preload. I'm 6'3" and well over the 300lb range.

My brakes are very good with no "mushiness".

The seat is adequate, but as I'm losing weight pretty rapidly I'll wait to pass judgment on it until next fall.

The high beam headlight doesn't do much but make far away signs glow more. I've picked up a new bulb but haven't changed it yet. The dims are very good and light up the ditches pretty well making it easy to see the antlered rats around here.

I really like mine and it's a blast to ride.

[iceman]

Hey FF3,
I went through the same as you before buying my new Sprint in July.At that stage I had only read rave reviews though.Still havent seen a bad review yet.
I made the right decision.
I previously had a 1200 Bandit which was a good solid sensible bike but didnt have a lot of character.
I find the Sprint has smoother more linear power delivery - very predictable and easy to ride.
Sounds great and looks gorgeous.Often gets people having a look and asking questions when I stop.No one ever showed interest in the ol bandit - except for my mother bless her.
I find the seat comfortable but the pillion slides foward easily and I may check out a Corbin or similar as they look to have less slope for the pillion.The Bandit was possibly more comfortable on longer trips - but that may be as much to do with the riding position.
I am 6ft and 90kg - about 200lbs.
My pillion likes it better - apparently there is less buzz through the foot pegs,and it is as comfortable as the Bandit.
The riding position is sportier which was a bit hard on the wrists for a while but getting used to it now.Can do a couple of hours between breaks without problems.
Handling is sharper and better balanced and it seems to know what I want it to do - dont have to wrestle it around corners.
I find the suspension comfortable - no harshness.I'm riding on rougher roads than you are probably used to.I have left it on the factory settings 1 or 2 up it seems fine.
The heat hasnt been an issue but I havent been through a summer yet.Seems fairly normal to me so far.
Brakes feel very good to me - plenty of feel and no mushiness.
Things that I think they could do to improve:
- fit a hugger as standard
- helmet locks
- hydraulic clutch
- oil level sightglass
- some storage space
- better way of fitting the seat.
- a better way of getting to the coolant tank

Overall though - an excellent bike.It has exceeded my expectations and seems to get better every ride.
And my mother loves it.
You will be happy with it!

[wills]

I now enjoy the Sprint even more with the Triumph off road exhaust and new tune..sounds great, goes like a nut. I am comparing the power to my Vmax. I did adjust the suspension much tighter, as I am used to stiff due to the Progressive suspension parts on the VMax. I am adding the hard luggage rails and soft bags for storage. I don't like the Triumph luggage, too big and expensive. I added the bar risers which gets the weight off the wrists some....might even change to higher bars someday. Seat is fine, great bike to buzz around on.

[triomf-ST]

Reviews: The reviews are quite different. The first reviews in Dutch magazines were really raving. More a sports bike then touring, swift, easy to control and so on. Recently a major German magazine did the largest test in their history with in total 20 bikes, from all categories. This test was in the mountains from Italy and Germany and called "The big Alp test". In the category sport touring the ST'05. Their biggest complaint about the ST was the suspension. But its up to everybody to think whether they are right or not. The engine is, as they named it already in a previous test, "playing in a higher league". BTW a VFR was last in the sport-tour category. Mainly because the lack of power specially on low revs.
Heat: I hate it at hot days, and love it at cold rainy days 1:1
Front brake: Outstanding brake performance, some extra play in the lever when not used for some time, bit mushy. Can live with that but still next thing to improve.
Missing parts: Exactly what Iceman wrote, only I never miss a helmet lock. Skidmarx carbon hugger is waiting in my garage till the Sprint is back from suspension upgrading.
Tuono: My Son owns one. We are very often making long trips together to the German or French twisties. If the Tuono had the torque curve from the ST it would be quite unbeatable. But it hasn't! Its not an easy ride in the twisties. When opening the throttle too much she keeps on whee-lying. Specially in the rain, in slippery conditions, hard to ride. Outstanding front brake, rear brake has on some bikes "air problems", suspension top. Over all something very special
V-Strom: Had a 650 before. Looks like ??? but very easy to ride and real fast in the twisties, despite the lack of HP. Winner from the "Big Alp test"!!
ST'05: If another bike offered more for me, I would buy that bike. The engine is just as I want an engine. Enough power and very controllable. Seemed to be somewhat flat but thats because of the flat torque curve I guess. There is nu sudden boost as it pulls hard already from low revs. Comfort is somewhat confusing. When I start for a long ride I always have the feeling that I have to lean too much forward. Wish I had longer risers on it But when riding and riding it feels more comfy the longer I ride and wish I could remove the risers when riding. Sounds funny but it is as it is. Do easy a 600km trip in twisty areas. And that sound! Standard can will not be changed. Seat: OK, ride only 1 up.
Handling: There have been trips that I was totally happy with my ST and trips that I was worrying because of struggling in corners on bumpy roads. In the 9000km I rode from begin June till now I have changed my mind several times about handling!! From complete satisfied to really worrying sometimes. And I didn't know why! Finally I was quit sure it has something to do with cornering on bumpy roads. Thats the reason that I was looking for a suspension upgrade. But many riders, may be the majority, have no problems with handling.

[ST]

FF3 ignore the reviews in the press as you will try and agree with their faults yourself if you find any.

Everyone is differrent so make your own mind up...

Some of the points made allready though are worthy of mention. High beam isnt good but thats because dip is very good. i upgraded to osram silverstars.
Seat gets better with more use. Gel seat stores heat..
Engine produces more power with more miles.. Dyno proven by Bike magazine. increase of 9bhp to 120bhp at the back wheel with decent miles and a good thrashing!
Suspension is fine if set up to match you.
Brakes are my sore point but not everyones.
Mine keeps with blades and r1s on twisty backroads at naughty speeds.... its got the abilty to impress in the right hands.
Do what idid and ride the ***** thing like its your last day!

The bike still turns more heads than pammy anderson jogging in the rain :razz:

[Gavs]

Totally agree with all points guys have made re extra bits/suspension etc. Just got back from Phllip Island MotoGP.. around 2000 kms of back roads and twisties. (I reckon Victoria is the best place to ride in Australia, apart from the cops.) First big ride on it. Fantastic, went brilliantly and the engine did open up with more k's.. like some Pipes though.
Was on the the run with a Ducati 999, 916 Senna, T595 Daytona and 05 CBR1000. It did not dissapoint in such company at all. Surprised the sports riders big time, and when they were getting saddle sore, I was in a full comfort zone. Engine is great in the mountains, easy to use.
Still grinning :-D

[ST-ern]

Nice ride Gavs. Doing the Snowies this cup-day long weekend via the backroads.

IMHO any bike from a sports 600 upwards can go fast; what makes the difference is the rider.

[ This message was edited by: ST-ern on 2005-10-26 00:23 ]