From cruiser to sport tourer / Sprint

[SS313]

I can't speak to the bike issues as this is my first Triumph as well but I went from an 883 Sportster to the 955 ST this spring and after I got used to being able to GO and turn I was amazed at the things that this bike will do with little effort that the HD make me work for. I was a bit overwhelmed at how fast I got up to speed but I was amazed at how this bike handled and the speed at which I comfortably ride the twistys at. My biggest issue with this bike is that it is going to get me a speeding ticket and probably a big one.

My bike had a hesitation just off idle that was horrible but once I put an aftermarket muffler on it and the TOR tune it went away. Over the years I have owned a few bikes and I think that this is the best one yet.

[Allworld]

My biggest issue with this bike is that it is going to get me a speeding ticket and probably a big one.

Join the club. I have reached my limit, and may have my license pulled if I loose at an up coming hearing.

[Tri-oomph!]

Originally Posted by nehpetsthegrey

When you go to a dealer and they check the electronics they should always update to the latest tune. I queried this with my local dealer and he said that the tunes, as released always update and over-ride earlier versions and so they are unable to load an earlier version of a tune even if they wanted too.

I never quite understood this. Why do they "update" the tune when the bike did not change. Were the older tunes not so good or something?

[cheefkeef]

Originally Posted by Tri-oomph!

I never quite understood this. Why do they "update" the tune when the bike did not change. Were the older tunes not so good or something?

I believe the latest collection of tunes have been developed to work better with ethanol blended fuels. So although our bikes haven't changed, the fuels available to us have and therefore alterations to the tunes are required.

[vitesse]

55 years of riding and just about every type and size of bike (except for demonic extented front end "choppers") when I first rode the 1050 ST I knew I had ventured into the grown up world. It is not a toy but a true "super" bike.
I still ride my 800 Bonneville and 900 Scrambler, they are fun but the ST from the looks to the sound, the handling and acceleration scares me and excites me at the same time.
It's one thing to be piddling around town and out in the twisties but oh my get it on a highway or open road!! It's simply amazing.

[jfmcclure]

Originally Posted by vitesse

55 years of riding and just about every type and size of bike (except for demonic extented front end "choppers") when I first rode the 1050 ST I knew I had ventured into the grown up world. It is not a toy but a true "super" bike.
I still ride my 800 Bonneville and 900 Scrambler, they are fun but the ST from the looks to the sound, the handling and acceleration scares me and excites me at the same time.
It's one thing to be piddling around town and out in the twisties but oh my get it on a highway or open road!! It's simply amazing.

Perfect description of the Sprint series bikes.

[adri]

Hey guys, from everything I've read here and done my homework on I think I'm better suited on something a little smaller. I don't particularly care for all of the power. I already got one 6 demerit point $490 ticket that I managed to get away (cop didn't file the paperwork), I'm not going to keep on tempting myself and the piggies.

I'll probably end up going with a Ninja 650R, which I like the upright ergonomics of it and the fact I can grab an '06 with 11,000 kilometers for the same price as the '99 Sprint with 50,000 kilometers. An FZ6R or FZ8R isn't out of the picture either.

I hope no one feels like their time was wasted. I do appreciate the advice you guys gave, and wouldn't hesitate to recommend this site or a triumph to anyone simply on account of the following this place has. It seems like everyone's willing to help each other out... not always the case with a lot of other forums lol.

Cheers guys (and girls). Ride safe, but have fun

[trem5150]

That is one good bike. Had a 2000 sprint rs. That bike in the pic will make you forget the others and as far as comfort its the perfect balance of sport and tour. You want to go on a trip, throw the bags on. You want to go carving for the day, leave the bags at home. Plenty of both power and handling. I am particularly fond of the Sprint bikes though, so I say get it and turn that thing up.

[Pixel]

I moved from a mid sized Honda cruiser to a 1050 Sprint. I was concerned as well about the jump in power, height, riding position and balance.

I can tell you that I'm delighted with the Sprint. My '09 outdoes the Honda in every aspect. It's light and nimble. Some folks talk about the sprint being topheavy but I disagree. I find it easier to manuver than the Honda in every situation. The riding position is very different but I like having my legs under me and being able to unweight my bottom for rough road or just a change in position. I'm over 6' so I can still get both feet on the ground. The power is greater but in my experiance that just means that I do less shifting, and the power is always very controllable. I probably ride like a granny but that's fine by me. It's a great commuter bike. My only negative change was in fuel mileage which is down in stop and go traffic from the Honda.

It was a riding style change too. I always wear gear and my cruiser friends um....didn't. The ST community accepts gear as normal and that fits with my thinking too. So, for me, overall win switching to ST riding.

[frider]

Ditto what everyone else has said...can't really offer any advice since my younger years ( in the UK)...we were restricted to a fairly naturallearning curve.....50cc mopeds> 125cc>250cc then onto 400/750's etc......

I will add one thing, and i've ridden a couple of cruisers but majority have been UJM's/Sports bikes........I talk to a few 'cruiser' riders who seem to think it natural to use 75/80% Rear brake v 20% Front.......most 'other bikers, and certainly most 'Sports Bike riders, will tell you that 80% F v 20% rear is the surest way of stopping you safely and quickly..........so maybe practice that 'transition' in your braking technique on some quiet roads till you have confidence in the front end!!!!!!