Triumphrat

TriDucBMWnut · 06-08-2006

Hey, I'm new to this forum and the Triumph line...

Saving money to buy a new Speed Triple in the near future....

Currently a BMW rider (R1200GS) with ABS.

Two questions:

1) Is it the Sprint that offers ABS - if so, what's your experience with it? Like? Dislike?

2) Any rumors to be found within Triumph that ABS will be offered on any other bikes anytime soon - specifically, the Speed Triple?

Thanks.

[ This message was edited by: RocketIIInut on 2006-06-08 20:20 ]

upNorth · 06-08-2006

Welcome to the site, J!

Yes, the Sprint is available with ABS or standard brakes - the ABS is a thousand dollars US more than the standard brakes. In my opinion, ABS is worth every penny. I have a little over 3,000 miles on my 2006 Sprint ABS and the brakes are world-class, again in my opinion. Two weeks ago, I was on route 88 south of West Liberty West Virginia and came around a blind corner that had been flooded the night before. Dirt, gravel, and some slimy vegetative stuff occupied the bumpy corner. I needed brakes and I had 'em. I would have been off the road if I had been riding my Thunderbird.

If you search this site, you will find complaints about a spongy front brake lever on some bikes with ABS. I have had no such experience.

Another post alleged ABS equipped bikes will not stop on rippled, washboard pavement. I know of a corner that fits that description and after reading that post, went out and tried for myself. Stops on a dime and gives me nine cents change.

I don't know if Triumph will offer ABS on other bikes, it would make sense for them to do so. It works great!

JReynolds · 06-08-2006

I have had my ABS Sprint for nearly 10 months now and despite my low mileage (only 2000 miles0, I think that it is worth every cent.

I used to race motocross and thinking I was invincible, kept a Kawasaki LTD-1000 up in wet and very slippery conditions when I should have laid her down. On this incident I ended up stopping in the middle of the intersection and not before. I was lucky that traffic was light, and I survived another brush with danger.

SO, when it came to choosing the ABS, I did not wait. One of these days when least suspecting it, bad things will happen. I hope that just like the high insurance costs, the ABS will pay for itself many times over.

My actual experience has seen some modulation in sandy corners when trying to slow down.

Thack · 06-11-2006

I also have o6 a.b.s they used to work great but just in the the last couple of months have got the "spongy lever effect".had the brakes bleed twice & both times got good lever travel back but only lasts a couple of thousand k's out of it then its back "spongy lever effect".TRIUMPH say there is nothing the matter with that never had this problem with any of my other bikes :hammer:

upNorth · 06-11-2006

Quote:

On 2006-06-11 01:29, Thack wrote:
I also have o6 a.b.s they used to work great but just in the the last couple of months have got the "spongy lever effect".

Thack,

How far had you traveled when the sponginess first appeared? I'm at 3600 miles and wondering if I'm about to experience this.

Thanks,

Mark

blast · 06-12-2006

I put up a post after being concerned about a report that with other than the original tires or Metzler Z6s the ABS may not work properly. After putting Avons on the bike I tested the brakes in all types of conditions, and they worked perfectly. About a month ago some idiot turned left dead in front of me and I used the ABS for real, no problem no crash. The Sprint ST is my 18th bike, first one with ABS, now I wouldn't have a bike without them, if I could help it. Almost 7k miles in six months and no spongy brakes.

Whisperinsmith · 06-12-2006

Don't even know they are there and I hope I never have to. I've never had problems with "soft" brakes or other issues mentioned here. I've only got 3300 miles on her though. So far, I love everything about this bike, except my ability!

BlackBeauty · 06-12-2006

Don't know if I like it yet - but I pick her up on Saturday!! I passed up several very good deals on non-ABS bikes and have had my mind set on ABS for my next bike. The way I see it is that at the very least, it will cover its costs as a result of a low-speed dump - at the very best......well, you know. I can't imagine it being obtrusive in every day riding and I have heard it is a good system on the Triumph. It is certainly no excuse for riding closer or with more abandon but it just may come into its own that "one time". And it just takes "one time". However, I fully respect that many do not like the idea.

Take care

kneedown · 06-14-2006

Quote:

...
2) Any rumors to be found within Triumph that ABS will be offered on any other bikes anytime soon - specifically, the Speed Triple?

Thanks.

I recently went on a factory visit and they said that ABS will appear on more models (not the all-out sports machines) in the future so I guess that it will be offered on the Speed Triple sometime.