Purchase Advise - ST vs GT

[tomfromON]

And that one in Newmarket - HA! Went to see it one sunny Saturday & "Oh, it's in our store in Richmond Hill". Fine, so I make arrangements to see it later on that week. Get there and "Oh, we're not sure where the keys are". I asked them if they even had the ownership.
That bike was a US model that they got on some kind of repo deal. Looks like it was repo'd before it was PDI'd. I found several loose nuts and fasteners. Don't think I'll go anywhere near that deal...

LOL!! Hey Kevin, I bought that bike you're referring to, picked it up yesterday. Drove it home 300km/s and runs like a dream with full warranty minus 6 months with Triumph. No loose nuts or fasteners, that's a Japanese thing... Bike had .75 miles on it, doesn't have a scratch and I saved huge $$ Call Jerry at GP bikes, he has the same bike but it's a 2012 that he's hungry to get rid of. I did the same research as you, the GT is the way to go if you're 2 up at all. Just my .02

Cheers,

Tom

[Hatepylons]

The most important thing for you to do is bring your wife with you on a GT Demo ride. Increased pillion comfort was harped on in all the press literature, and my friend who owned an ST almost bought a GT for that reason (until he rode a K1300S and then all that went out the window).

You can't go wrong with either an ST/GT, as the riding position is damn near identical - if you're comfortable on one you will on the other.

I test rode both and chose the GT for a couple of reasons:
1) Luggage
2) Lower tail height - Very personal thing. I prefer using a tail bag when commuting in lieu of the panniers and the lower leg-over height is a big deal to me.
3) Gearing - although I didn't appreciate it until after ownership. That tall 6th gear is a boon once the engine is broken in. I'm averaging ~53-55mpg at 85mph per highway tank.
4) I was afraid it's the last of an exceptional breed. Many sport-touring bikes seem to be going the way of electronic add-ons. I will admit the GT is a Grand-Tourer in principle, it's mechanical simplicity (cable clutch, throttle cable, non-linked brakes, etc.) is something I wanted and most new bikes aren't providing anymore.

Best of luck in your decision, as you really can't go wrong.

[SLY DVL]

I'm lovin' all the feedback here. Thanks guys!

Tom, that's too funny that you grabbed that GT I was looking at. So they finally found the keys did they? I was really turned off by the sales guys (not so much by the bike) and just found the whole deal a little sketchy. Again, probably due to the sales guys.

I'm going to look at an '09 ST loaded up tomorrow. Super low km (under 4000) so we'll see how it looks.

I don't ride as aggressive as I used to (must be that over 40 thing) so I'm more interested in a bike that fits me (I'm 6'1") and that can handle a passenger and a little luggage for a weekend jaunt. From what I'm reading here the GT would do it a little better, but the ST isn't entirely lacking in that dept. Maybe after a few years a few GT's will show up in the used market and I can step into a gently used one.

[DaveM]

Originally Posted by Beach

Thats interesting, as the GT I rode felt like a big, heavy, slow steering, pig. It took a lot of effort to pick up and crank over on quick directions changes and I really noticed the longer wheelbase.

Interesting and surprisingly, (a little off topic) the 1200 Explorer was surprisingly agile, changed direction easily and was just a hoot to ride.

This is why I always try to drum into people to ride everything a couple of times if possible as opinions on the good and bad bits of bikes can vary enormously.

Beach I suggest that had a lot to do with the tyres possibly pressures and possibly OEM very rounded profile.

[SLY DVL]

Originally Posted by tomfromON

Call Jerry at GP bikes, he has the same bike but it's a 2012 that he's hungry to get rid of.

Cheers,

Tom

I was in at GP last week to look at an ST, the GT, and an FJR they have on the floor. At $14,699 they're going to have to try a little harder if they want me in that GT's saddle...

[tomfromON]

Kevin, I dealt with Cam at 407, he's the guy who runs the bike sales, got him down to $11,300 + I did however check into the bike before buying it. Turns out the guy who bought it from Kentucky did the deal, registered the bike and it was never ridden. I called Triumph USA who were very helpful, it had 2 recalls done on it at the dealer at 0 miles and everything else such as VIN reports, etc. backed up everybody's story so I bit. I did feel uneasy at first but everything worked out in the end especially saving all that money it was worth it.
So...GP bikes offered me $13,700 + $105 admin + tax on that Silver 2012 with a trade in so there's more money they're holding... Either way, get a Triumph!! Good luck man

Tom

[Beach]

Originally Posted by DaveM

Beach I suggest that had a lot to do with the tyres possibly pressures and possibly OEM very rounded profile.

Quite possibly. Even allowing for that, it didn't make me want to rush to my dealer and trade my ST for one. The same as I would not say the 1050 ST is head and shoulders above the previous series and trading up is a must.

[taximan62]

I got a steal of a deal for a new 2011 GT from Sturgess in Hamilton this past January $12000 out the door!

[tomfromON]

I got a steal of a deal for a new 2011 GT from Sturgess in Hamilton this past January $12000 out the door!

Yep, you stole that one taximan62, nice!

[SLY DVL]

Originally Posted by taximan62

I got a steal of a deal for a new 2011 GT from Sturgess in Hamilton this past January $12000 out the door!

When I was speaking with Ray @ Sturgess he told me that they had got their hands on a few 2011's from Triumph at a discounted rate and let them go real cheap. Apparently you got one of them. Nice!