please allow me to introduce myself.....

[SJB]

Hello to everyone....

Been surfing this site for a few months now and thought I'd say hello. I purchased a used 01 Sprint ST last October and am just now getting to really enjoy it. It's red and has the GenMar risers, CF cannister, Triumph Touring windscreen and now has about 4000 miles on the clock. Bought her with 2700 miles.

My other bike which I lovingly refer to as the "SportBarge" is a 99 Valkyrie Interstate, currently with 50,000 miles. Talk about contrast, eh? It's quite an experience to get off either one and switch rides!!!

The Sprint is my first sporty style bike, and I plan to use it for roosting on one day rides, so I have no intention of "bagging" her. For the last month or so, I've had to battle the nagging notion that I should sell the Triumph, however, each additional ride I take confirms the obvious for me. I'm going to keep it around. I love the power, and having 350lbs less than the SportBarge to haul around sure makes changing directions more exact.

I agree with what seems like most of you that the stock seat would be better suited as a medieval torture device, as after about an hour, me buns is screamin' for mercy. I'm 6'2", 200lbs and like the ergos as for as reach to the bars and footpegs, but that seat!!!!

Also think a different screen is in order as well. Don't want the additional height of the Touring one. Seems like I have some searching to do.

I'm a teacher in the NW burbs of Chicago, and on summer break officially today. Hope to contribute something here. I've already gotten good info lurking over the last few months.

Thanks for looking at my ramble...

Steve

[Solace]

Welcome aboard! (or at least to board visibility)

It's obvious to see from the title of your post and the fact that you own a Sprint that you're "a man of wealth and taste"!

Solace :-D

[SJB]

Thanks for the welcome Solace. Nice catch on the rockn' roll reference as well. A man of wealth??? Not really...but good taste??? Hmmm...why, I believe you're correct.

Just got back from a quick 100 miles on the ST. Went with a friend who rides a 1200 Beemer LT...the big touring rig. We swapped for awhile, and now he's saying we need to take them up to Wisconsin so he can ride it again on some more challenging roads. Me thinks he likes the Trumpet. I've been letting all my riding buds have at her atleast once. The guys I usually ride with don't have this kind of bike.

[1fastcat]

Hey SJB,
Your ST sounds alot like mine when I bought it (2900 miles, risers, t-screen, carbon cans). They are alot of fun, but the windscreen issue is a tough one. You can't get protection without height and height changes the look (you have to decide if its bad or good) A number of us have experimented and even made new designs. All said and done, since you are using for day rides only, and if you don't mind the windstream into the chest, try the MRA's for top quality, ZG's for order convenience/price.

Enjoy the bike. I have put 13,000 miles in 9 months and other than a leaking fuel sender (recall item) I haven't had a whisper of trouble.

[dmbikerguy]

Welcome to Sprint ownership. I bought mine as soon as they hit in '99. I too am tall (6'3") and around 200 lbs. I am reall happy with my Zero Gravity double bubble shield. I can't stand the look of the tall shields and you won't find one that doesn't cause some amount of buffeting for guys our size. The double bubble puts the bug-line at upper chest level leaving my helmet in clean air.

A good helmet is key. I've had Arais for years but am trying a Shuberth flip front this year. The Arai was quieter, but the new one is not bad and loaded with cool features.

Enjoy the new bike. I look forward to reading how you take to it.

[niteowl955i]

SJB
Hey enjoy your Sprint St I have a Sprint RS and it a great bike and I had a Gold Wing before that. I live in Madison, Wi just about 95 miles away. Check out www.madisonsportbikes.com thats a local bike group here in Madison, Email me at btcd@msn.com if you are riding up this way some time. We have alot of nice road southwest of town that are great riding. Also in the spring and fall there is a ride called the slimycrud some riders down there may have heard of it. We have people ride here from all over, pretty big deal 200 plus bikes. Also check out our shop web site great reading www.motorcycleperf.com
Later WJ

[ This message was edited by: niteowl955i on 2004-06-12 00:04 ]

[SJB]

Thanks for welcome 1fastcat and dmbikerguy....

Like I mentioned in my intro, I'm coming from the giant touring side of biking, and I still consider my Valkyrie as the "main squeeze". Since I can afford to take extended trips, it's the bike I load up and take off for a couple of weeks on. The Valk...despite it's enormous bulk is quite a handler. Surely not as nimble as the ST, but rock steady none the less. And at 850lbs wet, it's almost surreal that it does such a fine job.

Now the Sprint, it's just a totally different experience. Personally, I don't see how how "sport touring" and a chain drive go together, but as a bigger sporty bike for a guy my size, it fits the bill quite nicely. Before I purchased it, I test rode things like the Suzuki Bandit (Blandit if ya ask me...), VFR....very refined, but too small for me and power at lower revs was lacking, and a 2000 ST1000, which was really nice, but a lil' too much moola and too close to what I already had. Also had desires for a ZRex and FZ1, but ....nah, wanted something different.

I think for what I wanted my first ever "second bike" to be, the SprintST was the one. One thing for sure...it's the fastest vehicle I've ever owned. VERY impressive power. Usable too, you don't have to rev the snot out her to get out and move. The Valk makes great low end, and I'm used to the seamless torque, so I'm very impressed with the Sprint's power band. But...that speedo is optimistic, eh???

Thanks again for welcomes and tips....

On 2004-06-11 16:22, 1fastcat wrote:
Hey SJB,
Your ST sounds alot like mine when I bought it (2900 miles, risers, t-screen, carbon cans). They are alot of fun, but the windscreen issue is a tough one. You can't get protection without height and height changes the look (you have to decide if its bad or good) A number of us have experimented and even made new designs. All said and done, since you are using for day rides only, and if you don't mind the windstream into the chest, try the MRA's for top quality, ZG's for order convenience/price.

Enjoy the bike. I have put 13,000 miles in 9 months and other than a leaking fuel sender (recall item) I haven't had a whisper of trouble.

I recently bought a KBC VR-1 Euro, and I love this helmet. I currently ride a standard, so wind buffeting has been a major issue, but the KBC does an excellent job of cutting down on that rearward pull you normally get. It has a shell shaped like an aerofoil on the back to reduce the vortex behind the head, and I can definately say it works. Some of the other brands, I think mostly just Shoei and Arai, have similar designs that I imagine work just as well. The KBC is constucted in with the same quality and features as the others, but costs significantly less. It is also designed and manufactured in the US, by a 100% american owned company. List price is around $200, compared to $400+ for Shoei or Arai. I would highly recommend that anyone annoyed with wind buffeting try one of these helmets, and I can recommend the KBC from personal experience.

[dolson]

Hi Steve,

Welcome to the forum and site and would be happy to have your contributions.

As far as Sport Touring and Chain drive IMHO These are more on the Sporting side. Kind of like having a "D" or "E" Type Jag. And as far as comfort I've been on my '02 for 400 miles without bothering to get off. Chain drive I think folks perseverate a little too much on it. Personally mine takes very little attention. Just adjust it on the loose side of specs. Other than an occasional lube I haven't had to touch it in over 4000 miles and it's doing fine so for me it's an non-issue.

On the seat you can spend a lot of money on one or take it to an upholster and have the stocker fitted to you. Mine took one day and $70.00 with one adjustment thrown in.

Here we have as many ideas and opinions as members and they are all good. So do some searching and poking around and I'm sure you'll find something mentioned for everything.

Don

ps I think I have a cousin or two in Elk Grove and am originally from Lombard myself.