New owner 2006 ST ABS... What do I need to know?

[miataman92]

Hello everyone. I just bought a really nice 2006 Sunset Red ST ABS. I rode it 510 miles home (some test ride huh?). I have been riding for many years now, but this is my first Triumph. I have read up on the specs and such for the Sprint, but I'm wondering what I need to keep an eye on or consider changing out? The bike just turned 5000 miles and I believe it was well maintained. I've own chain drive bikes before, and I discovered the methods for chain tightening after a short search here on the RAT. What else should I be looking in to? The bike is stock minus the risers. I'm in Ohio, and thankfully have been able to keep riding for a little while yet it seems. I will be adding peg lowers.

Thank you!

[Bentnotbroken]

This is my second motorcycle in California heated grips are worth it and triumphs do a good job with theirs.Also I might recommend some Piia auxilry lights, they light up the night nicely.
Randy

[miataman92]

Thank you! I have been considering the heated grips. They seem straightforward enough. Do you recommend installing at home or having a dealer do it?

The Piaa lights were an idea I haven't thought of really. Would they go somewhere behind the front tire in the fairing?

Thanks again.

[ThomasM]

Nice find! Even though miles are low, I'd be thinking about bleeding the brakes. How are the tires? If still original they might be getting hard & dry...

[miataman92]

The brakes seem solid and responsive. I will bleed them anyways. Good practice on my new toy.

The tires look really good. I believe they are stock, but aren't cracked and seem to stick well. I will take a look at new tires. I've always liked Metzelers, but I've read a lot of good things about the Michilin Pilots.

[UlsterSpud]

I would change the oil and filter unless you have a service record showing that it was done recently. Use a good quality synthetic (I use Motul 300V 15W50 and change mine every 10,000km < >).

I agree that the Triumph heated grips are very good but there are quite a few negative posts about them so I think that the installation is the critical factor. Mine were dealer installed and just yesterday,with the temp at around 7C and wearing medium weight gloves, I had to turn the grips to the low setting after initial warm up. My hands were comfy for the entire trip. They are a very worthwhile accessory.

You could not go far wrong with the Pilot Road 3's. I am on my third set and they are very good in wet or dry and they wear better than any other tyre I've used.

[miataman92]

Thank you!

[mdlark]

Put a multimeter on the batt when it's running and check to see it is charging at 14 volts or so. The weak spot is the sprag clutch and rectifier. I got the same bike same miles same deal too, only silver. so your red one should be a little faster(to the cops)
It had left the other guy stranded. He said the batt was new, as a fix.
It left me 1600 later. Jumped it, got it home. It had been slow starting and getting worse. It would grab and let go or crank and crank. Fix:
New Rectifier from Ricks' it plugged right in.
New sprag clutch kit from Triumph via Bandit, larger diameter fits fine under cover plate.
Made up heavier #4 wires from marine store Batt-solenoid-to starter. They're as fat as can fit. A 3amp fused wire set from batt(so if by some freak there is a short in the charger it won't catch fire) to a two prong trailer light plug for a small solar charger(reversed charger plug to keep positive post sheilded on bike and have a cover for charger +). a new batt. Don't use a cheap battery the bike depends on good current.
It transformed, starts almost instantly every time. If there is a weak spot it is that situation. It had neoprene on the fairing touching the rectifier so I cut that part off to allow air flow.
I think the sprag took a beating before I got it due to charging troubles, reason why it was so cheap.
The other fellows had no mechanical skill and feared a thousand dollar bill...sprag costs about 500 but is super easy to DIY. Rect. 130 . Wire change likely not necessary but nice.
If you hunt for Decosse rectifier upgrade infornation on forum and sprag clutch stuff you'll see all. Other than that the thing is rather bullet proof. People complain about the focused beams on ramps and dark corners. Thye're fine with me but it is the defined line of the focus that is the trouble not the ammount of light so much...I put a metzeler sport bike tire on the front
to replace cupped origional tire...I like it more every day. It is a really nice machine, the best I ever rode.

[JPTL]

Originally Posted by mdlark

The weak spot is the sprag clutch and rectifier..

Being new to the ST and Triumphs in general, I'm following this thread so that I can learn about my bike through other's experience & knowledge.
A search for "rectifier" in the title of this forum reveals that it must be a common issue w/these bikes. I'm a bit concerned that my bike may have the same affliction. It's been starting fine, but a few days ago I noticed that it was turning over slowly. I put the battery on a charge and was surprised to find the battery to be in good health with a decent charge.
So as not to sidetrack this thread by turning it into rectifier dialog, out of the 2 pages of "rectifier" threads, which one do you suggest I go to to learn more about the rectifier & sprag clutch issue? The one with the most traffic appears to be this but that seems to be more for those who have identified an issue & are looking at a conversion/upgrade. Is there a better thread that discusses the issue & educates those of us who are newbies?

[Rider14]

I had issues with the front brakes and replaced the pistons with those from a Daytona 675 (which are coated and slippery) which gave me vastly improved brake operation and fee.

Also went down one tooth in the front sprocket and compensated for the speedometer using Tune ECU which you should look into whether you plan to change out a sprocket or not.

Never dealt with the sprag clutch, but did upgrade the rectifier by ordering a MOFSET unit and a factory cable for the replacement.

What else... Good tires a must. Found a TOR exhaust, but honestly, the changing of the front sprocket is the best mod you can make performance wise - it should have been like that from the factory. Just easier to ride and lots more 'pep.'

- Dan