Triumphrat

tony2 · 06-30-2006, 08:11 AM

Hi all,

I have owned my current 2000 sprint st for 3 years now, and very pleased I am too. Last weekend I visited my local dealer in St Austell to buy service parts and, for the first time, saw the new ST in the flesh. Wow, what a great looking piece of kit!!!
The dealer told me it is a vast improvement over my model in every sense as I stood there dribbling and getting sexually excited, but is it? Opinions from owners of the new stead would be appreciated.
Also does anyone know if the bike is to be updated for 2007, and if so what the changes might be?
Should I buy now, or wait for the 2007 model to hit the show room?

Old bikers never die, they just go slack like drive chains. :???:

Beach · 06-30-2006, 09:44 AM

Oh to have such problems.

In a nut shell the new bike as a package is an improvement over the old, the engine and more sporting bias being the most notable. The execption is the factory luggage if you reckon you will need it. The lastest stuff is ***** IMHO.

There is heaps of stuff on here about the differences between the old and new series.

The best suggestion is for you to take a 06 ST for a long ride, preferably on a hot day and make your mind up from there.

Brett.

NinjaRAT · 06-30-2006, 10:39 AM

Most definitely, the new ST favors the sporting side of Sport-Tourer.

kek · 06-30-2006, 10:56 AM

As a satisfied new owner of an '06, I'd be hard pressed to trade the '00 for one. The old Sprint ST was a great ride. If you want another, find a low mileage '02.
WHAT!? A new ST owner discouraging another mate?
No, just that the old Sprint was so satisfying that IMHO the "05- is just another packaging of great Triumph engineering.
But, if you prefer the origami look to the '50s era British jet-fighter look, by all means get the new one.

RexxyPup · 06-30-2006, 12:02 PM

Hi Tony2

I've owned my '04 for 2 years (to the day!) and I rode the '06 ST for 5 hours when it first came out with ABS. As I have said in other posts, It is a better bike in some areas... It is more sporty and the handling reflects it. The older Sprints need forks and shocks sorting to match the handling of the new bike, and the engine is slightly better, but, and it is a big but for me..... the cost of the new one plus all the bits I have on my current one mean for me that the level of improvement is just not enough to justify the cost increase. I reckoned on my bike (~£4k) plus another £5k to match what I have (grips, all luggage, tank bra and bag etc).

I would recommend going for a late '03-'04 ST with all the trimmings (there are several sitting in my local dealer - with real room for negotiation) and then look at spending some money on the the suspenders!

I think you can match the performance of the new ST by doing the mufflerectomy mentioned in the cheap perfomance improvements sticky on this forum, and dropping a tooth on the front gear.

That is of course only my tuppence, but it's really down to you, your desires, your wallet, and as a final thing I would suggest you ride a late '04. They are slightly different to your '00 I believe.

Best of luck on a difficult decision!

Rexx

PaloAlto · 07-01-2006, 03:32 PM

Tony,

The '05+ model is great in many aspects - as mentioned, with the exception of the luggage, it may be the best sports tourer available.

But my decision was to upgrade from an '01 to a used '02. See if you can find a used '02-'04 to ride. If you find no noticable difference, go for the '05+. I found the engine smoother and quieter, the tranny a little nicer and noticably more HP, though still not in the '05 range. With some smart buying and selling, you should be able to do the upgrade for far less than to an '06.

Bern

iceman · 07-01-2006, 03:45 PM

Tony,

I admire your restraint.When I first set eyes on the new Sprint and heard it running my brain turned to mush.I was coming from a Suzuki 1200 Bandit so it was a big change - whereas it is not such a big change for you.

I fell in love with everything about it and there was no more logical decision making.One year on it is better than ever and one of my better decisions.

There are some minor points that could be improved upon but overall a very well sorted package.

I'm not aware of any major upgrades on the way - but then they are hardly likely to tell us too much in advance anyway.

Good luck with the decision.

Grant

upNorth · 07-01-2006, 10:38 PM

I didn't have a previous generation ST to use for comparison but I have 4,300 miles in 2 1/2 months on an '06. It is strong, fast and an utter delight. Throttle wheelies are common in the first two gears, even with bags on. 9,000 rpm in first gear = 58mph.

Bags don't hold much but I travel light. No problem for me.

I rode in 95+ degree F weather in Georgia last month and had no heat problem other than wishing I had a mesh jacket instead of leather.

Sountrack letting off the throttle at 4000 rpm on a downhill is positively ludicrous. Ya need to lean back in the seat to get the full effect.

Buy now. You won't be sorry!

[ This message was edited by: upNorth on 2006-07-02 11:41 ]

EliziumS3 · 07-01-2006, 11:39 PM

I've had the pleasure of riding NinjaRat's old Sprint, as well as the new one. To me, the difference is night and day. I loved both, but the new Sprint is simply amazing in how it can truly change from a touring bike to a sporting bike.

It's on my short-list, that's for sure.

dalebuna · 07-01-2006, 11:43 PM

If finances allow it by all means go for the '06! I had an '02- logged 36000 mi. on it without any major issues. (besides Triumph dealers) The '06 seems to put a lot more heat on my right leg and of coarse needs the usual modifications --intake, can, and gearing. As soon as I broke mine in I did a 3000 mi. trip. Only mods were GenMar risers and a crampbuster cruise control. I found sprockets and a BMC filter ( not here yet) but no aftermarket exhaust except Triumph. I need to find someone with enough snap to reprogram it I can't wait. Handles great and there is something about that motor ...........