Current Bonnie Owner Looking at a Sprint

[BTHUMPER]

I have been riding my 04' Bonneville for about two years now and have been invited several times to go on extended rides with friends that have Goldwings and Harleys. I guess my question is: Is the sprint suited for some cruising, two up riding and similar uses like the bikes I have mentioned? Or should I look at the Speedmaster or something along those lines? Is the riding position comfortable? My boy had an R6 and I couldn't even get on it. Please no flaming but I have even looked at the Dyna Low Rider. ( Heavy bikes). Thanks Jack

[KH_Durham_UK]

Either the new or the old sprint will keep up with the bikes you mention and transport you in comfort, there are many posts on here if you have a search on the merits of each bike.
If comfort is your main priority I would say the older sprint but if you want something with more poke go for a 1050.

[DragonDan]

Of course you ask in a Sprint forum, so take what we say with a grain of potasium nitrate.
The only problem that I see is that if you pick up a Sprint, the Harley types won't be able to keep up with you! There are many fine folks who take their steeds on extended trips. I am planning on a 400 or so mile trip this weekend to the mountains. I've owned several types of bikes, my Sprint is the best handling and most comfortable of them.

[SaddleTramp]

I remember a trip a couple of years back, riding up the interstate to Vermont, I on my Road King, and my friend Paul (Preachp as some of you know him). I was running about 85 mph for an hour or so, and recall thinking "I hope Paul isn't having trouble keeping up".

I now own a Sprint myself, and can laugh at the silliness of that thought ... keepin' up? Dang, he was falling asleep behind my Road King ... LOL! The Sprint will run all day at 85 and the only complaint will be "where's the freekin' twisties?"

The only real issue with 2-up riding is the height of the seat. You can get a better aftermarket seat (I bought a Sargent, excellent!) that gives more seat of the pants comfort for rider and passenger ... but it's a climb to the top for a short legged passenger. Once on their perch, it's pretty comfy. Add a top box (Givi, Triumph, whatever) and your passenger will love you.

I bought mine used, it came with the tail rack, rear hugger, brake cover, stainless can, large Triumph tank bag, CF tank protector, mud guard extensions (left the rear one off ... it's fugly), and nice Triumph dust cover. I paid $5K for it (I know, I STOLE IT!) It was like new, with just 4200 miles on it.

I've added Genmar risers, Sargent seat, SkyKing sliders, Throttlemeister throttle lock/bar ends, a set of Tourmaster Sport bags and a Givi top box.

That's enough ... now I'm sad. I've been nursing a broken ankle since early July, the cast won't come off until Sept 1 ... I miss riding my bike ... bwaaaaaaa ... sniff!

[BTHUMPER]

Thanks for the replies, I guess i'll just have to ride one to see if thats what I really want. Trouble is, the Salt Lake dealer is 265 miles north and the Las Vegas dealer is 180 miles south

[SoCalSprint]

If you want a low cost Sport/Tourer thats comfortable AND inexpensive look at a KAWASAKI CONCOURS. Comfy for two-up riding and enough power with the 1000cc motor (bullitproof too) Kawi's been making that bike since 1984 and while dated in style somewhat it is a very capable Sport/Tourer with the spacious hardbags included.
Check out the Concourse owners group COG) online for more info on the bikes.
These guys put well over 100,000 miles on them and love 'em!
(Your Harley buds won't be able to keep up though!)

[stevecro]

I had a new 2001 Bonnie for 10 months. Nice enough but didn't suit me really.
I now have an '04 RS Sprint which suits my needs/wants far better. I've done 950 or so kms (600miles) in a day 3 or 4 times now, no problem.

It may take you a little while to adjust ...I had a sore right wrist for a month or so and I'd get a little stiff between the shoulder blades......... but now it's a breeze.
Add to this I'm on the high side of 50 (although in good nick) and I don't have risers on the bars. An ST riding position is probably a little more user friendly on the wrist/shoulder areas. The bike is a pleasure to tour on.

My wife will do 200 kms on the rear perch easily enough but I generally like to tour one-up so pillion carrying isn't a chief concern.
I would resist trailing along with HD's though... to me it's a different ball game. You could try a new set of friends! :-D

[BTHUMPER]

One of the guys just got his Harley, its a 1200 Sportster and the Bonneville has no problem staying up with it. I can't find any new friends that ride Triumph around here, I guess I'm just stuck with these guys. Seriously, they are ok people and they really like the Bonnie for some reason. :-D

[stevecro]

sure, and I think there's a link between Bonnies and Harleys from when they were natural competitors as the fast bikes of the early-mid sixties.

The H/D set get mauled over here because Harleys are often bought by new-to-riding accountants etc with too much disposable income whose only knowledge about motorcyclng is the word "Harley" and they've fallen for ads about "lifestyle".
It's a weekend escape from their jobs. Fair enough!

But some learn to wear the sneer and you'd kick 'em up the arse if you cared enough

Hi BThumper, in my opinion, if your looking for something to do some "cruising" on, I would not recommend the 05 or 06 Sprint's.

I have an 05 Sprint ST and a 02 Harley Road King Classic. The newer Sprint models are much more towards the sport side and that's why I bought one. I wanted something I could ride more aggressively without going the route of a true sportbike such as the R1. If I plan on cruising around, I always take my Road King. If I want to go out and rip it up a little bit - I take the Sprint. I had a Speedmaster and it just felt too small to me for long hauls.

My father has gone through 4 Goldwings over the course of 150,000+ miles and now has an 06 Harley Screaming Eagle Ultra Classic. He sat on my Sprint and didn't even want to try it out in a parking lot because of the ergos.

Don't get me wrong, I love my Sprint and it is a great bike for the type of riding I bought it for, but I am primarily a cruising rider and plan on always having a Road King in my line up.

If you want to stay in the Trimuph family and want something more along the lines of a Goldwing or Harley tourer, I would look at the Rocket. But like I said, just my opinion.