Considering a Sprint GT or Concours 14

[Lucky13]

Originally Posted by DaveM

Originally Posted by Yak1050
The bars on the GT are quite a bit further back than the later ST. When I test drove teh GT before buying, I also tried a 2007 ST. The GT is significantly more upright.


I agree with Yak on this one too

DaveM & Yak1050, et al. -- I'm interested in your comparison of the ST and GT riding positions, but don't want to hijack this thread since it's originally about comparing the GT to the Kawi Concours. So, I'm going to start a new thread on ST vs. GT riding positions & handlebars. I'll really appreciate it if you guys (and others) can weigh in on the new thread. Thx!

[JPTL]

I had cash ready to put down on a replacement to my '02 Concours (C10). The replacement was to be an '09 Concours ABS (C14) which I had picked out...
..until I saw and rode an '07 Sprint ST ABS. It feels small, fast and agile when compared to any Concours.
I know it's completely subjective, but the Triumph has much more character than the Concours, for thousands less*. Although I appreciate the hell out of the Concours, and if it's anything like earlier generation Connies, it's an extremely well-built, bullet-proof bike. It simply doesn't inspire me the way the Triumph does. The look and sound of each respective exhaust.....no contest.
But character/presence and cost of admission aside, each are a totally different ride.
The Concours is a rocketship. It's scary fast. Scary in that I feel compelled to ride it fast. It's also big, and therefore far less maneuverable than the ST...again, my opinion. Had I been more of a long-haul, foul-weather tourer, I probably would have chosen the Concours. It has better protection from the elements and I'm sure that it's a more comfortable bike for extended distance rides and destination touring.
That's not my kind of riding. I'm a fair weather rider and don't see myself going for any cross-country jaunts anytime soon. I opted for a mint, low mileage, never dropped '07 ABS. I love this bike and have no regrets of having passed on a bigger, more expensive and less inspiring Kawasaki.

*BTW, there's what appears to be a really nice black '07 ABS on CL in the DC area. Seems priced right as well - $3k less than a like-condition '08 ABS Connie (I know nothing more about it and have no affiliation with the seller..just passing it along). Winter is the time to buy for sure!

[Werks]

JPTL wrote - I had cash ready to put down on a replacement to my '02 Concours (C10). The replacement was to be an '09 Concours ABS (C14) which I had picked out...
..until I saw and rode an '07 Sprint ST ABS. It feels small, fast and agile when compared to any Concours

I had a similar experience in 08 when looking for a replacement for my 2005 FJR -1300 . I also owned a 91 Honda ST 1100 and 97 Concours (C10).

After testing most other ST bikes, I decided to buy an 08 C14, but after a chance encounter with a used 07 Sprint 1050,
I realized that this was the bike for me due to it's handling, looks, and fun factor. Soon after that I ordered my current 08 Sprint.

The C14 is a good sport TOURING bike and the Sprint a good SPORT touring bike

Tom

[meis3b]

First thanks to YAK1050. That web sight on sizing explains a lot. I have a 2001 ST and I have wondered why I felt more cramped on 1050s and GTs just sitting in the showroom.

The http://cycle-ergo.com/ web sight shows that my knee angle is 77 degrees. I have knees that do not like to bend but a back that has to be forward hence the 2001 ST is the most comfortable for me that I have found. I would have to go to a Bonneville to get a better knee angle. The closest of the modern Triumphs is the Thruxton.

I too have been considering a new bike because my wife looked at me over thanks giving dinner and said "you know...you need a new motorcycle" well to keep household peace all I could say was "yes dear". (No she does not have a sister yes we are happily married so hand off!!!)

[JPTL]

Originally Posted by meis3b

...my wife looked at me over thanks giving dinner and said "you know...you need a new motorcycle"...

Wow. A little different here: I spend Thanksgiving with my motorcycle and mine would say "you know...you need a new wife"

[Murph MagicTone]

Sprint is a lot lighter feeling and sporty bike, but the concours is much more comfortable. Are you more interested in sporty (if yes go with sprint) or longer range touring (if yes go concours). The sprint can be made more comfortable by raising the bars and lowering the pegs but it will never be a concours or FJR.

[mckate]

My riding buddy just traded in his 2009 Concours 14 for a 2012 Concours 14.
He is 6'3, large muscular build. Very experienced on and off road rider.
These are his comments and complaints:
The power and responsiveness on both bikes is great. Headlight system is really good, remotely adjustable on the '12. Ergonomics are the best he's found for a big guy, after installing risers and adjusting the suspension. The heat issue on the older bike was a BIG BIG problem for him and one of the main reasons for trading the bike in. In summer, he felt like his thigh area was actually cooking. He got the new one in Oct., so hard to judge the heat improvement. The new model also came with factory heated grips and engine management. He has had problems with the tire inflation monitoring system on both the old and new bike. The 08 also had an engine oil leak that was dealer serviced and also a warped brake rotor that kawi only half covered with warranty. 08-12 models also had a recall for defective rear brake parts.

[kremin]

Not mentioned so far, two obvious things..
The concourse has lights, seriously good lights...
and it drinks way more juice than the sprint.

I was on the waiting list for a concourse and in the end gave up (they kept putting the arrival date back) and bought an 07 sprint. rode it for 6 months and had a mishap. Then had the opportunity to consider the concourse again. No contest
The connie is scarey fast, eats tires, guzzles gas, puts a huge smile on your face as you exit corners and you can see at night.
But the sprint meets my needs perfectly.

cheers
Kremin

[mglemans86]

Originally Posted by Allworld

Not to hijack this tread, but I just read an article on Kawaski's Nija 1000, equiped with factory sidebags, as sort of a SPORT-touring bike. Complete with a small adjsutable wind screen.

Yes it looks like the ninja with factory hardbags is filling the niche triumph has abandon. 500 lbs, afordable, no bells ans whistles, just a
SPORT tourer

[elevens]

Originally Posted by mglemans86

Yes it looks like the ninja with factory hardbags is filling the niche triumph has abandon. 500 lbs, afordable, no bells ans whistles, just a
SPORT tourer

I'm sure it's a very nice bike but it ain't no Triumph 3-banger