New Sprinter - good buy or not?

[RSSprinter]

Hi .... I've just bought a new (04) Sprint RS - I think it was a reasonable deal - with the new ST on the way it should be!

It's having a hugger, fender extender and heated grips fitted.

It's in a "grown up" looking racing green.

Will I regret my purchase ... I'm having one of the those post-purchase panic attacks! :???:

[PassTheGravy]

Relax. You did good. The RS is already one of the great bargains out there, IMO, and Triumph isn't making them anymore. So, if that's what you wanted, this was a good time to buy one. There's always something new just around the corner.

Enjoy your new bike. If you are like most of us, you'll fall in love with it.

[RSSprinter]

Thanks ..... I've been searching for a new bikes for months - I wanted one bike to do everything (Commute, weekend scratching, an annual monster international tour - part of my pre-maritial agreement! ... and even the odd (slow) track-day)

A tall order for any bike - but people who seemed to really know their bikes recommended the RS or ST. I was also after a good price ... so a replaced model seemed ideal ... and I like the look of the RS.

[unummyu]

Reliable, good looking, reasonably fast, good handling and most bang for your buck you will find. Ya done good grasshopper :-D . Enjoy the bike and stay tuned here for great tips and insight.
Cheers,
John

[jellero]

if you like it you did well. i like the fact that a couple months after i bought mine there isn't a new model that makes it old. replacing my bars made a huge difference to me. now i can ride it. j

[boxsky]

I have an ST and there is bigger, faster, better touring bikes out there but I'd rather have the ST, an all arounder. You won't regret it. What did you have before?

[Scottius]

Four simple words: I love my bike. It's done everything I've asked of it and done so with aplomb, grace and style. I've done a 460 mile day - just over 800 miles in two days and got about 48mpg while doing so. What more could you want - a beautiful, fast, comfortable, fuel-efficient mode of transportation?!

I got nearly all your mods at delivery, but I also got a centerstand - didn't get the heated grips, but those will be added later. I'd recommend getting frame sliders JIC - I got SkyKing sliders, but RG racing also makes them for the RS (they just require some drilling of the fairing).

Something to note (as I'm a new 04 owner as well): Your gas mileage won't be great at first - just give the bike time to break in. It got better and better as the miles poured on and now, at 4500 miles it's between 47-523 depending on how "spirited" I'm riding.

To quash your regrets - name another bike that has as much horsepower/torque, gets as good mileage and can go as far on a tank, fits a rider and pillion comfortably, is as reliable, has as much heritage and character and looks as good doing all the above at the price you paid? My answer is still none.

Did I mention they're dead sexy?
:-D :-D :-D :-D :-D

Forget regrets - get out and ride!

[AAA]

The best cure for worries like that is to get out for a nice quiet trundle around the Yorkshire Dales.

It'll sort any worries out (possibly depending on the weather).

Did you get yours at Robinsons in Rochdale?

I bought their first Demo RS back in 00, and I'm still riding the same bike. Does everything I want it to do, and few (though some) quabbles.

It'll do commute and weekend scratches with ease. Not tried a monster tour, but donw long weekends from Aberdeen to Orkenys, and Aberdeen-John o'Groats and back in one trip (two up), and trips to Skye etc..so I've done the odd 500 mile day....I'm one of those that find the bars OK in their original position, and the seat is also fine for me.

Yes - in traffic there is some weight on the wrists, and you need to give your ass a rest after 2-300 miles, but you do on most bikes.

Never tried it on the track, and for serious track work I've heard that changing fork springs (and rear shock) helps handling, but for most people the stock kit is good.

As for the green - I guess they don't make the Lucifer Orange anymore.

[RSSprinter]

Thanks for all the replies and encouragement!

I bought the bike from A1 Moto in York, England - who put up with me test riding everything from a Speedmaster to a Daytona ... via the Thunderbird Sport, Thruxton and Rocket II just for a wheeze .... but the Sprint just felt the best.

As for my earlier bikes .... well I have to admit that it was a Norton Commando ... bought new!!

Oh no ... another "born again" mid-life crisis!

But - in mitigation I can add that I hired a Harley in Miami this year - and rode it to LA in two weeks. Iron butt or what?

Any running in tips?

[Scottius]

Nooooooooooo! He didn't just ask THAT did he?! Next he'll ask what kind of oil to use... AAAAAAaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!

Sorry, Sprinter - those just become pissing matches and EVERYONE has an opinion and EVERYONE ELSE seems to be wrong/misinformed/the choir/fascist/etc.

Most people recommend The Manual - I followed my dealer's advice (diff from the manual) based on issues they saw with The Manual's way of breaking in. If you'd like I'll PM you the details as I do not want to fill this site's server with more posts on this.

If you do a search of the threads you can find some info on breaking in (and oil types, etc.). There's a ton of good info on this site, just might take some digging (and separating the wheat from the chaff :razz: ). Good luck!

Good choice of bike! :-D :-D :-D