Help with decision please

Hi everyone

I am trying to make my mind up about which bike to buy. At the moment I am leaning towards a Triumph Sprint ST, as it seems to be one of the best allrounder from what I've read, I also think it's a stunning bike (specially in red).
What I am looking for is a bike that's got enough grunt and speed to keep me from getting bored (My previous road bike was a ZZR1100), but that will also carry my wife in relative comfort, plus I'ld want the option of panniers etc.
I've looked at the Hayabusa, but my wife is around 6ft, so the pillion pegs are too short , they create muscle cramps, the Blackbird is slightly better, but the VFR800 was the most comfortable from the bikes mentioned above. But from what I've read - the Triumph might be even better than the VFR. Another reason why I find the Triumph more appealing is the extra CC's = power. I think I could get bored with the VFR.
Either way, obviously being a Triumph forum - you'll all say go for it :-) , so let's say I've definitely decided on the Triumph - I'ld like some opinions on the following please:

1. Does anyone have the exact distance between the seat and passenger footpegs for the 2006 Triumph ST and VFR800.
2. I assume if I had to buy a new ST now, that the recall would not affect me, as this should be sorted by now.
3.Would you wait for the 2007 model or go for the current 2006 one ? I do love the look of the 2006 though and am afraid the 2007 goes to far towards touring ?
4.Am I correct in assuming the only "factory" problems on the 2006 model are the front brakes, exhaust/underseat heat, and fairing heat, and the bolt thing thats been recalled - anything else I should be aware of ? These issues won't put me off, but I'ld like to have them checked/fixed by the dealer when I buy the bile.

Any other comments are welcome, as I've always owned Japanese bikes and was previously reluctant to go British, as their quality was not up to scratch, but that seems to have improved, especially in the engine department.

Thanks in advance for any help I receive - also thanks for a very informative site.

Safe riding. All the best from Cape Town, South Africa.

Ps - They launched the last ST Triumphs here a few years ago, so the riding country is great, from mountain passes, to rolling hills to 1000km/s of straights.

[i_wolf]

Pillion comfrot is up there with the VFR. the rear is slightly higher than a vfr but hte rear pegs to my eyes are slightly lower. I was in the same dilemma as your self.
I reckon go and get the bike you want now.
Realistically nothing has changed between 06 -> 07 bar colors and higher windscreen and rumor has it (but not confirmed higher bars... which i doubt will happen given the overlap with the tiger market). The higher screen is available today as an option and if you opt for the 07 you can prob opt for the smaller screen if you want the sportier look if it does come with the higher screen stock.
The same will likely hold true for the seats as well if the seat changes at all. Again this is all conjecture because the swiss triumph site that was updated to reflect the new range shows and mentions no different in colors, handle bars, engine etc... so most likely there will be no change to 07 sprint... at most screen and color.

[RDE]

I should think it depends on what you want to do, assuming all the changes mooted to the 07 bike have been made. If you want the more tourer than sports stance get the 06 model you might even get it a bit cheaper. Although I am sure you could take the 07 bike and put 06 bits on it.

I currently run an 06 sprint and regularly carry a pillion, the pillion does sit higher and my wife prefers it because she can see over my head instead of craning her neck to look around me. This does cause a bit of turbulance which I am sure would be corrected with the higher screen. The new EMS and increased fuel economy would make me consider the 07 bike.

Personally I will be costing the fitting of the higher bars and screen to my bike (I'm only 5'7") so the current bars do cause arm and shoulder ache after about an hour and a half.

Bottom line we tested a VFR before buying the sprint my wife says the sprint has more room and was a more comfortable ride.

Hope that makes everything as clear as mud.

Thanks for the input and quick response.
I am tempted to wait for 2007, simply so that my bike is registered as 2007, but I must admit that I don't think I can wait that long - I want it now !!!!
Has anybody done a VFR800 vs Triumph ST 2005/2006 head on head test, as the only tests I find are for older models ?
I do believe the Triumph should outperform the VFR everywhere except maybe in handling, even though their respective weights are about the same, so maybe it does handle as well as the VFR.
ALso, has anybody got an actual top speed for the Triumph - I belive the official one is around 255 kph ?
Thanks
again

[Sport]

LeroyD,

Not to steer you away, but have you considered the Yami FJR1300? It is more touring oriented but will be quite abit more comfortable...if that's what your looking for.

I ride with a friend on an 05 VFR. very nice bike. Not quite up on the power, but what should you expect for an 800cc. The additional torque from the Sprint will make even a bigger difference when adding a pillion.

My wife enjoys short rides but is uncomfortable on 50 mile rides

I currently ride an '02 ST and had recently considered trading her in. However, I have yet to find a bike that has this much comfort tied to as much power. It ALWAYS leaves a huge smile between my ears when rolling on the throttle.

Since I do not ride the next generation ST, I can not comment on the details, but you won't be disappointed with the ST.

Best of luck, and keep the sunnyside up.

SPORT

Thanks SPORT

The FJR1300 is just too tourer orientated, and although I believe it's a good bike - it's also ***** ugly (IMHO).

Basically - if the sprint is better 2 up , or on par, with the VFR, then I'm inclined to go that way, as I would like to keep to the sportier side of things, since I'll mostly be using the bike on a day to day basis as well. The pillion comfort is a sacrifice for my wife's sake.

Has anyone ridden the old ZZR1100's, and are able to give input on pillion comfort compared to the Sprint ?
My wie rode pillion on my old ZZR, and though it wasn';t bad the footpegs were quite short, is the ST better ?

Thanks
Leroy

[RDE]

MCN did a direct comparison between the vfr and sprint st and the sprint came out on top. Having seen todays MCN and confirmation of the changes to the Sprint for 07 I would most certainly wait at least until you have read about it and perhaps seen the bike.

Main changing confirmed are:

higher pulled back bars,

Taller screen,

More comfortable seat,

An extra 4 BHP,

And increased fuel economy,

Having said all that I am perfectly happy with my 06.

PS Try www.motorcyclenews.com you should be able to read up on it there.

[AZWildcat]

MCN in the US did a 4 bike comparison and the 05 Sprint came in last......by a long way. One guy said the Sprint was so bad he'd rather not ride than ride the Sprint. The Editor said he expected an apology from Triumph. They picked the VFR as the winner. I recently rode an 06 VFR and the Sprint motor is far better but the VFR suspension is better calibrated and provides a much more controlled ride. I love my 99 Sprint but am really starting to dislike my 05, especially 'cos I can't sell the darn thing.

[hANNAbONE]

Has anybody done a VFR800 vs Triumph ST 2005/2006 head on head test, as the only tests I find are for older models ?

[b] I did that very thing in Kansas City...rode the new 2006 VFR and the 2006 Sprint STA..their was no comparison, none - no - nada, never-ever - NO comparison.

The mill, snick gearing, fit finish, color choices, bags included, pricing, availability, dealer support, ergo's...all this was made up in one little ole' test ride of both back to back...Sprint STA clear winner.!! even if the motor was the only measure -- let alone all the other stuff above.

Don't know how much room there is for a pillion, but i need not worry about that.

Best :