Triumphrat

BlackBeauty · 12-05-2005

Hello All - I just picked up my copy of the UK BIKE magazine and saw an article called the "5 faults with the Sprint ST". To cut a long story short, the paint on the leading edge of the fairing was chipped very badly and the front edge of the black forks looked as if they'd been sandblasted......... It was pointed out that this bike is a pre-production model but beofe I buy my '06 (or '07.......) ST, I'd really like to be confident in the paint and finish quality (as my '00 is very good in this regard).

Anybody got real-world feedback??

Take care

Nelson955 · 12-05-2005

I don't know about the '05, but I traded in my '99 ST last year for a new '04 ST and I am of the opinion that the finish on the older ones is much better than the '04 models.

If you do a search on the '05 model on this forum, you will see that people have had issues such as the screen bubbling up, poor quality Triumph made panniers ( due to be rectified by a redesign for 2006), spongy feel at the front brake lever and excessive heat from the under seat exhaust.

The best thing you can do is get down to a dealer to take a look at a brand new one and then see if there are any used ones you can look at as a comparison. I would also look at some of the later model ST's from '03 and '04 too.

No doubt you will get some responses from '05 owners here who can give you an idea too.

KH_Durham_UK · 12-05-2005

Not got a lot of miles on my 06 model but think the finish is ok, most of the problems mentioned aboveI think have been sorted. The laquer on the tank on mine is very thick and the fairing seems to have a good finish also... some higher mileage boys will be able to fill you in better.

AZWildcat · 12-05-2005

I have a silver 05 and the finish seems to be fine. I have however seen a couple of blue 05's that showed a lot of fine scratches in the paint. Not sure if this is a finish problem or a maintenance problem.

ST · 12-05-2005

mines picked up a few stone chips around the nose but thats my fault for being on the tail of my mates on blades and r1's........
fortunately they have the same problem with me once ive snook passed.

paint finish is nice also the crackle finish on the frame / forks.

the only niggle is swirl marks on the screen from cleaning, no matter how clean you sponge is it still has microscratches.

i clean mine meticulously so know every inch of the bike and would say its finish is better than my last suzuki but its not used in winter which would no doubt ruin it. :hammer:

Nelson955 · 12-05-2005

Quote:

On 2005-12-05 14:24, ST wrote:
i clean mine meticulously so know every inch of the bike and would say its finish is better than my last Suzuki but its not used in winter which would no doubt ruin it. :hammer:

Well, that wouldn't be hard to surpass the finish of a Suzuki!! :-D

Mach1 · 12-06-2005

I have had a few slight finish problems with my bike. Nothing that would ever turn me away from buying a Triumph again. I have the slight bubbling on the windscreen (dealer has one on order), and the lower fairing screws decide to jump ship on occasion (Loctite). Other than that, all is well. The slight paint swirl / scratching on the tank is common to most bikes, not a big worry. I'm happy..... :-D

DaveM · 12-06-2005

I have an '04 and have no major quality issues.
I have numerous stone chips on my front fairing, but this is because I have been chasing FireBlades too closley! :-D

My only problem was with the leaking CF can which was replaced with an SS race can FOC and while I waited.

Oh and Nelson955 I have owned 3 Suzukis and the last one a Gixxer 600 98 model was immaculate when I sold it. And was well finished thank you very much. Also an absolute ripper of a sports bike

davem

Nelson955 · 12-06-2005

DaveM,

Living in Brisbane, I would think any bike has an easy life with regards to corrosion. But when it comes to the conditions in the UK, Suzukis don't fare very well at all.

ST · 12-06-2005

My last suzuki was a candy blue sv1000s which was a crackin bike for the money, it was cleaned and polished at least once a week and if i was caught out in the rain it would be washed before it was put in the garage..... But one february day the sun came out and the roads had been dry for a week or so, temptation got the better of me and i went for a 50 mile ride which was great considering id been off the road since october.
I got the bike home and it didnt seem to be dirty so i put the bike away. a few days later i went in to my garage and was horrified how all the previously bright and shiny fastners /expensive exhausts/ discs and calipers had grown white fluff....... all this from 50 miles on a dry and previously salted road.
it took a lot of work to get the bike back to a decent finish again......
So my ST aint comin out of hibernation till spring unless i can fly it to brisbane!