Sprint ST--'06 or '07

[Hornblower]

Already have a Rocket III and I'm looking to add a Sprint ST. I can get a better deal on an '06 but should I pay the extra for an '07? I've been told the only difference in the '07 is higher bars, taller windscreen, and no bags. Also, I'm an experienced rider so do I really need ABS? Thanks for any comments. --Ken B.

[duckie]

Good luck with your choice - either way you'll love the bike!

To clarify the differences the '07 has over the '06:
'07 comes with hardbags as standard (no charge)
'07 has higher and further back handlebars
'07 has the aeroscreen as standard
'07 has larger vents in the fairing to help dissipate heat
'07 has new ECU with twice as much memory
'07 has a different tune which increases the bhp slightly but also changes the torque curve so the power comes higher in the rev range (again only a slight change).

As for the ABS - yes get it. Read this article and then decide if you can out brake the abs system in conditions it was designed for (i.e slippery surfaces like gravel, sand, iron grates and wet surfaces...):

ABS Comparison test

[denman13]

I agree with everything duckie said about the advantages of the 07 v. 06 (although many of them only slight) but especially on the ABS. Unless you like to 'hooligan' around like standies and the like, the ABS does make a difference and there are better bikes for that sort of thing anyway. Also the 07 has the 5/8 MC standard where some folks were complaining that the 14mm MC was part of the braking problem. Though I think the dealer will swap the 14mm for the 5/8 at no charge.

Of course if you want the silver, then you have to go 06. But we know the black is faster. :-D :-D

[DrEvil]

I bought an '06 ABS at the end of may and had to make the same decision. The differences between the '06 and the '07 weren't significant enough to justify the cost difference. Also, at the time they offered free hard bags with the '06 and my dealer swapped the bars and windscreen from and '07. (There just happened to be somebody that wanted the '06 bars and windscreen on his '06, so it worked out well.)

This is a little off topic, but if you want another price point I paid $11,300 (+ tax & lic.) for an '06 ABS with '07 bars & windscreen. I felt like I got a good deal, but I'm sure you could get a better one if you shopped around (particularly if you don't need the '07 bars & windscreen).

I feel pretty strongly about the ABS. I've been in accidents and near-accidents in the past and have always locked up the rear tire in panic situations. No more.

Does anyone know if the '07 improves the tail heat issue? The underseat exhaust gets a little hot. I know there are ways to fix this, but that, again, is off topic...

One last thing, I think the '07 ECU is supposed to give you quicker starting (my '06 takes a few seconds to start).

[Hornblower]

Thanks for all the comments so far. This is very helpful. I am being told by the dealer that Triumph has sold out of the '07 models and we will have to wait now for an '08, unless, of course, I want to get the '06 that is available. I probably could find an '07 at a dealer somewhere but apparently no more '07's are available from Triumph.

Also, Duckie, I wanted to ask you more about the hard bags. The dealer is telling me the color-matched hardbags were standard on the '06 but not on the '07. You seemed to be saying it 's the other way around. I definitely want the bags so it does matter.

From all the comments so far, I have decided in favor of ABS. I saw a demo done on a BWM where the guy came roaring past at about 70 and hit the brakes hard. He stopped really, really fast and under complete control. That was a very impressive demo. If Triumph's ABS works that well, it's a no brainer. Thanks again to all. --Ken B.

[duckie]

Hornblower, clearly the dealer doesn't know what he is talking about. The '06's originally didn't come with the hard bags as standard but about halfway into last year they started to offer them as an 'incentive' to sell off the '06's. The '07's definitely come with the hard bags at no extra cost to you!

At the end of the day if you can get the colour you want with ABS, I think there isn't a huge difference between the '06's and '07's so you might be able to get a good price break on an '06 ABS. Personally I preferred the Black and the second colour I would have gone for was the silver ('06 colour) but I couldn't find a silver one with ABS for the price I was willing to pay!

There is one other difference I failed to mention - the seat on the '07 is slightly different to the '06 - it was a long time ago that I test rode an '06 so I can't tell you what the difference is, sorry.

Good job on the ABS choice :upthumb:

[denman13]

On 2007-06-12 14:49, DrEvil wrote:

Does anyone know if the '07 improves the tail heat issue? The underseat exhaust gets a little hot. I know there are ways to fix this, but that, again, is off topic...

I never rode an 06 but I understand that the 07s have improved heat shielding under the seat. Mine is perfectly comfy. I get a little heat from the side but nothing major and I have yet to toast my nethers. :-D :-D

[CLB]

If you look at the tunes (available from tuneboy.com) it seems that the '07 runs closed loop and leaner over a much wider range.
That *should* mean that the cat is fed less unburned fuel.
Thatin turn implies the '07 could possibly have less heat under the seat.
I don't know if anyone has run both enough to know.

[86gn]

Hardbags are on all leftover 06 and new 07 bikes. I think the dealers have to order them when the bike sells.
Heat shields are standard on 06 models. The fairing vents might be a little larger on the 07 but not much.
The bars, shield and seat are available from the acc. catalog so you can make it how you want.

[matto67]

Although I had no intention of buying a Sprint until next year, my e-bay vigilence paid off when I "won" an '06 Sprint (Silver) with ABS for $7200; the bike had only 8K miles and the seller was a local dealer as well...not my typical luck! Just before purchasing, I found this forum and read virtually every thread concerning the '06's. Now, a month and 1500 miles later, a newbie's thoughts on '06 v '07 (have sat on an '07 but no test ride):

1. I would definitely get the '07 bars...will save you from investing in after-market risers or other wrist-saving modifications
2. On the '06, the heat generated around your lower leg is noticeable but tolerable and most of my riding has been at 100+ temps over the last month
3. I haven't had any issues with excessive heat from under the seat; in fact, I'm actually looking forward to it for December to March rides
4. The windscreen may be a little shorter on the '06 but compared to my cruiser (no screen) it offers more than adequate wind protection
5. The bags on the '06 are poorly constructed, being quite difficult to open and close; also, while I haven't had it out in rain so far, the poor fittment of the bag compartments coupled with inadequate sealing will neccesitate waterproof inserts for longer trips
6. Silver is definitely the fastest color and sure to be RAT collectible in years to come

IMO a few small improvements on the '06 and you will essentially have an '07 but with the added bonus of several thousand $$$ change to finance summer road trips!