New Sprint RS owner with question

[TheToeCutter]

Hello all!!!

I am a new Sprint RS owner and my question is in regards to the model I purchased. It is the SSSA version of the 2003 RS, and I am wondering if this is the last model of RS that was produced. Also, if anyone has the inside scoop on why there were so few of these models made (the SSSA version).

It was a very lucky find as it is a new bike that has been sitting in a crate for someone that initially was planning on purchasing it but fell through. It also happens to be the first Triumph I have owned. All of my previous bikes have been Japanese, but ever since I had a rental ST for two days of riding in Western Canada I have been looking forward to owning one.

Thanks in advance,

[chefjpd]

Congratulations on your new baby.

you say it's a 2003 model? I've seen 2004 models with the SSSA, but then again, Triumph plays around with model years. When was it actually built??

And yes, these were the last of the RS models. The DSSA was the 2000-2003 run.The SSSA models were the last of the production run. Guess they ran out of DSSA assemblies in 2003!

Sales in general for the RS was always slow, and the SSSA models are the more rare, although not worth much more than a DSSA.

Enjoy :yayyy:

[chefjpd]

One more thing,

Toecutter??

Mad Max?? or are you a podiatrist?

:flam:

[TheToeCutter]

On 2006-02-08 15:44, chefjpd wrote:
One more thing,

Toecutter??

Mad Max?? or are you a podiatrist?

:flam:

Mad Max for sure!!!!

Is there a better bike movie???? :-D (that will throw this thread into chaos for sure :lollol: )

[DragonDan]

Welcome to the single-sided club!
Too bad mine always is wearing the hard luggage, don't get to enjoy the look of the SSSA.

As for the movie, the best biker movie is of course Barb Wire - hey, at least the main character was riding a Triumph!! :razz:

Barbie on bike

[Isa]

On 2006-02-08 13:43, TheToeCutter wrote:
Hello all!!!

I am a new Sprint RS owner and my question is in regards to the model I purchased. It is the SSSA version of the 2003 RS, and I am wondering if this is the last model of RS that was produced. Also, if anyone has the inside scoop on why there were so few of these models made (the SSSA version).



Thanks in advance,

Gongrats on your new bike ToeCutter.

It is my understanding that Triumph started building the SSSA RS towards that last half of 2003 and stopped with the 2004 year (of which I have one :-D )

Although I'm not sure why there were so few RS models sold. When I went looking for my bike, I went with the thought of buying a new 2005 ST. But the shop I went to also had a new late model 2004 RS. The price was great ( about $3,000 less than the ST). But for me, I still would have gone for the RS even if it were almost the same price as the 2005 ST. Shaft drive is about the only thing the RS dosn't have that I would have liked: just because there is just that much less maintenance, although you do get more performance from the chain drive.

I think that Triumph may have just dropped the ball as far as how to market the RS. But then, I also think that the RS is the perfect embodiment of what a Sport Touring Motorcycle is: performance, handling, lighter weight (another boost to performance), full touring hard luggage, enough comfort without the sacrifice of performance and/or handling, beautiful lines without excessive bells and whistles. And when not touring, it does great double duty as a sport bike. A great minamalist bike: everything you need, without the ***** that you may think you want but will never really use or need. Pure unadulterated motorcycling. IMHO

[jefftarlton]

The RS was a slow seller. I bought mine new but almost two years old. Nobody wanted them.
I love mine.

[Gregski]

Toecutter,

congrats on joining the select group of Sprint RS sssa owners, easily the best bike in the Triumph range.

When I got mine 2 yrs ago I looked on the internet for any info I could find about why the sssa version.

I found an article about it being the brainchild of the Italian importer of Triumphs, but he died before it got finished, and Triumph finished the bike and released it as a Limited edition.

Can't remember which mag or website the article was on, but if you do a search, you could probably still find it.

Either that or give up worrying and enjoy a sensational bike that looks great.

Greg

[steventhechef]

Congrats on the new bike. IMHO a great bike.

My RS is a DSSA and I have heard variations in the handling in comparison between the two types, but what the hey!! (You've got the pick of bikes- DS or SS)

The RS appeared to make little impact on the market, perhaps due to the Honda VTR market, but is seems so many missed out on a quality allround performance bike.

My only regret is what to buy after I put too many k's on this bike!! Maybe I'll retire then!! not likely.

Happy days riding and welcome to the forum