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I bought the bike Friday at lunch and rode it home (25 miles), to my MBA classes Saturday (60 miles round trip), to the USGP Sunday (60 miles round trip), and to work all week (50 miles round trip each day). With around 350 miles on the bike, I can say I'm more impressed by the overall package and have stopped worrying about the suspension deficiencies because they mostly disappear as long as you're smooth with your inputs. My only complaint now is that I bottom the fork during heavy braking (which has long been a hallmark of my riding style).
First, the riding position is a welcome relief from my S3 even though more weight is placed on my wrists. There is significantly more leg room which means my surgically repaired knees aren't stiff as a board after 20 minutes. The lower seat has taken a little bit to get used to since I now sit in the bike rather than perched on top like the S3 AND it's wider/softer too. My arse doesn't feel like a log rammed me now either. The hand controls are quite odd for me too because I swear they're as wide as the S3 handlebars when you add in the bar end weights, but they are lower and angled funky. If my comfort level is any indication, it's not an issue when I'm riding and concentrating on using proper techniques.
Speaking of technique, it's amazing how good this big pig handles. Even without fully adjustable suspension front and rear, it's fine as long as you understand the old addage that you must go slow to go fast. It was a little bit different with my S3 (490lbs wet) and my ZX6R (435lbs wet stock, 425lbs wet w/CF exhaust); I could throw those two around and muscle them into curves. Now, I have to ride a bit more maturely and wisely pick my line then hold it. . .and the BT020's stick which is surprising to me given the bad discussions about those tires. I can already tell that things will be even more amazing when I put a set of my trusted Pilot Power tires on. Speaking of tires, the front is out of balance and causes some mild headshake at speed. It will get better after they re-balance the front tire at the 500 mile service.
The drivetrain is the same as my old S3, but the final gearing feels much taller; 75mph was somewhere around 5,000 RPM, whereas it's much lower on the SPrint. The Sprint has that truly loafing feel to it at speed; like you're not trying to go as fast as you are and even if you were, it's easy. Conversely, it requires a lot of clutch work to get off the line and it doesn't really excel in the stoplight olympics. I did not get it for stoplight to stoplight drag racing, so that's a minor quibble.
Oh yeah, the exhaust noise is VERY different; the S3 was a bit deeper with an almost V-Twin sound while the Sprint is a bit higher with more of the true Triple sound that is so distinct. I actually like this sound more in stock form.
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JW
2k7 Sprint ST w/ABS (crashed)
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