Triumphrat

Snake · 03-11-2007, 10:41 PM

Hey everyone, my first thread in this forum was asking about which Sprint ST I should get. I have since decided, and was waiting for it to be delivered. However, during the time its taken I have had an insightful yet distracting thought. I would like an honest opinion though, as this is my primary means of transportation and not just my twisty-ness machine (not that... that is a bad thing).

Anyway, I have been riding a Ninja since I started. I started with a 250R, and then moved up to a 500R. I use this as a primary means of commute, I don't even own a car (ewww, 4 wheels). I have been riding like this for at least 10,000 miles a year, plus other stuff. Now that that is out of the way...

The 500R is around 390 pounds dry, and prolly 410 with gas and other fluids. Maybe more. The Sprint ST with ABS (based off the site) is 469 pounds dry. That will prolly near to around 500 pounds when its all said and ready to roll. I am concerned about this. After riding the bkes I have been on for 4 years, am I going to be messed up changing up to the Sprint? Is the weight going to be significant while riding? Or am I going to adapt like I don't know the difference?

Has anyone else on here changed from a class to another in a large step like that? It has become a growing concern of mine, as I have been unable to take any test drives. I know it will be harder to tilt up 500 pounds when it falls over, but what about when riding normally (I haven't dropped my bike over at a gas station in over 2 years). :???:

Any help is appreciated. Thanks in advance.

stwanted · 03-11-2007, 11:14 PM

cant help with most of that
but i'll give you a hint to picking up a 500 lb'er
stand with your back to the seat of the bike bend knees, reach behind and grab the rail under edge of seat and lift, once you get it up turn around carefully and (hopefully) you are good to go.
I've seen video clips from bike shows where a <120lb chick picked up what looked like a decent sized 1000cc+ bike

[ This message was edited by: stwanted on 2007-03-11 21:17 ]

AZWildcat · 03-11-2007, 11:36 PM

I was at a motorcycle show some years ago and the MSF showed everyone how to pick up a fallen bike. They had a pretty averaged sized women pick up a Gold Wing. It's all about the leverage.

You will notice the weight of the Sprint at a stop or moving the bike around your garage but you will quickly adapt. When riding, the bike carries its weight well and once you get used to the new/different feel of the bike, you should be fine. The Sprint is not a really heavy bike and with care, you probably won't drop it. There is an adjustment period whenever you buy a new bike so exercise appropriate caution and you'll be OK.

PaloAlto · 03-11-2007, 11:46 PM

Snake,

The additional 100 lbs will be noticable but, unless there's some specific limitation, you should be able to adjust to it pretty easily if you are already comfortable with your Ninja.

I'm surprised you haven't been able to test ride a Sprint. I thought most Triumph dealers have a factory-supplied demo bike. I'm up in the bay area and am waiting for my local dealer to get his '07 Tiger next week for a test ride. He has a demo Sprint on hand which I've ridden in the past.

Re picking the bike up, I've unfortunately had the opportunity to do so in the past. It can be done by one person with the proper technique, as mentioned below.

Relax and go for it.

Bern

upNorth · 03-11-2007, 11:48 PM

As AZ Wildcat said, there is an adjustment period. The ST is a lot more bike than the 500, not just in weight. You will have more of everything - horsepower, torque, brakes etc. With as many miles as you have ridden, your adjustment learning curve should be pretty short. Don't be afraid of it, welcome the challenge and you will be rewarded with one of he best experiences in motorcycling.

chisel · 03-12-2007, 01:14 AM

I was riding a GS500e almost every day for about a year and a half. Then i got the 01 Sprint. I miss my GS500e.

I never felt the weight with the GS. It was extremely flickable. It was very easy to forget that i had a motorcycle beneath me while riding. I remember going down the freeway feeling like i was riding an 80mph bicycle. It's awesome for the urban jungle, and i imagine why motards are taking off now.

Everything else about the Sprint is better than the GS. It cruises easy at high speeds, has a good faring that keeps the cold/heat/wind off, and 2ups tons better. It's very smooth, and the engine isn't "peaky". It'll go through the canyons pretty good, but takes a little more work.

I still really miss the light bike feel, though. I've been considering buying a dual purpose bike as a second. I've been thinking about getting back in to the dirt, and it'll satisify riding something lighter. I've also got an eye out for the new Sport Triple (aka Speed 675) that's coming out. I can only hope Triumph doesn't "unpracticalize" that new model, too or else my inner hooligan will never be satisfied.

I don't think the extra weight will be too much of a problem in a fall over. The most important thing is to take a breath after it happens. I've seen too many people jump up and start yanking the bike up as fast as they can. They thrash themselves doing it. Slow yourself down, focus on where you're lifting from, and don't jerk it.

Haddi-Man · 03-12-2007, 02:53 AM

Quote:

On 2007-03-11 20:41, Snake wrote:
Anyway, I have been riding a Ninja since I started. I started with a 250R, and then moved up to a 500R. I use this as a primary means of commute, I don't even own a car (ewww, 4 wheels). I have been riding like this for at least 10,000 miles a year, plus other stuff. Now that that is out of the way...

The 500R is around 390 pounds dry, and prolly 410 with gas and other fluids. Maybe more. The Sprint ST with ABS (based off the site) is 469 pounds dry. That will prolly near to around 500 pounds when its all said and ready to roll. I am concerned about this. After riding the bkes I have been on for 4 years, am I going to be messed up changing up to the Sprint? Is the weight going to be significant while riding? Or am I going to adapt like I don't know the difference?

Pffft, you'll be fine. Don't worry too much about it. I went from a EX500 to a CB900F, and for a sportbike, that thing is a real porker. Something close to 600 lbs. I didn't notice it at all... in fact, I thought the CB900 actually handled better in corners (granted, I'm a pretty big guy, and I always felt like the EX500 was too small for me). You've got plenty of riding experience (more than I have, as a matter of fact), so it's not like you're going to be overwhelmed by "too much bike". Just get it, and take it easy for the first few days while you get the feel of it. I'm sure you'll take to it like a duck to water. For the record, I think you're doing things exactly right by starting out on a smaller bike, but... it's time to move up. :-D

NateST · 03-12-2007, 02:54 AM

I just recently purchased a 2000 Sprint ST. I too am moving up from an EX500. I'm yet to take possession of the bike, but I have ridden it once. I also test rode a 2006 Sprint ST. In my limited time on both, I didn't notice a large difference.
Obviously, there is a weight difference, but as long as you know that, and know the differences in how it is going to handle, you can mentally and physically adjust your riding style.
That is how I approach it, and I don't expect any problems.

ruscook · 03-12-2007, 05:08 AM

If the Sprint is too heavy (which I doubt, as I agree with the other old Sprint riders here - you will adjust), go fo the Speed Triple. Lower gearing so easier to ride in the city and 21kgs (46lbs) lighter right off the bat :-)

Seriously, if you can get used to the power then weight won't be a problem.

One difference that is funny about the Sprint VS the S3 is how top heavy the Sprint feels. The Sprint has fairly high fairing and a 21ltr tank. The S3 no fairing and only an 18ltr tank. This configuration means that the Sprint does feel quite top heavy, whereas the S3 does not feel top heavy, even with a full tank of juice.

Russ.

Galesa · 03-12-2007, 05:27 AM

You won't have a problem at all.

The ST is a very well balanced bike. I rode 955 after being off bikes for about 6 yrs. The thing that struck me was how immediately at home I felt. The bike felt very light even though we all know its not.

I have ridden the 1050 too and it was exactly the same if not even better. Feels way way smaller than it actually is.

I have absolutely no doubt that you will be very very pleasantly surprised.