A noob in the hizzle

[jeffohray]

Greetings

I'm new to the board and and fairly wet behind the ears regarding Triumphs in general. I'm in the market for an sport touring bike and I've been looking at some 03-05 Sprints. I've test driven a few and found them to just about perfect for me but I'm wondering about pillion comfort. Should I be planning on buying a new seat?

Are there any known issues that I should be looking for or are these bikes pretty bullet proof?

Jeff

[whoosh]

welcome
buy one
plenty of info if you search a bit

[DaveM]

jeffohray,
to the Sprint forum of TriumphRat.net.

I own an '04 Sprint 955 ST myself so I can answer questions pertaining to that accurately.

You may by your own research have found that there was a model revision in '02 where several changes were made to solve some minor niggles and improve a few things, then in '05 the new 1050 Sprint came out with a brand new frame and the same suspension and brake package, now ABS is available on the 1050 Sprint.

The '02 to '04 955 Sprint ST or RS 955 engined models are well proven with time and many miles that they are pretty bullet proof and an under stressed high performance engine delivering an almost perfect torque curve (actually a 45 degree line).

The 1050 engine is a longer stroking 955 and is proving to be as reliable as the 955.

As for seating I carry my wife frequently on my '04 and we found the stock seat had her sliding forwards on steep downhill twisties and hard braking.

I have the Triumph Gel seat and we both like it very much.

Unfortunately seat questions are very subjective as what suits me and my wife isn't what will necessarily suit you and yours.

The 1050 seat from '05 onwards is more stepped and has the pillion higher than the previous 955 model range and the styling of the 1050's is more sporty in appearance also with sharp angular lines as opposed to the classic curves of the 955's.

I have pics of mine in the albums in the clicky links below.

cheers,
DaveM

[steventhechef]

Hi jeffohray and welcome to the forum

Pillion comfort is great IMO. I take my wife on the back a lot. She says that anymore than 2 hours and she starts to get the fidgets but as our trips are always with breaks I am OK with that.

DaveM has the gel seat and swears by that. Some have the Corbins or Sargaents but they are bit expensive for me..

Good luck with your purchase. FWIW the 02-04's have the second generation motors that are a little quieter and have a few more ponies..

[burmbuster]

Jeff,
I have an '07 and the torque is awsome in the 1050. I have heard nothing but good things regarding the 955 as well. It's great not to have to turn a motor 10K just to make it get out of its own way!

Brad

[lcdtmd]

Hey Jeff, welcome to the board. I have a 2006 Sprint with a Corbin Gunfighter & Lady seat. After 11,000 miles on the Corbin seat it's still hard as a rock!!! Unless you're lucky enough to have a woman with a big butt, she probably won't be comfortable on the Corbin, IMHO. The keyed locking mechanism on the Corbin is awesome though. I just took the first ride today with my new gel pad on and what a difference! Anyway, if your Sprint is a 2003 or 2004 I've read great things about the Sargent seats. Good luck and enjoy your Sprint whatever it may be.

[Calliway]

I Jeffohray
Welcome ot the group. Buy one buy one buy one. You can't go wrong with either style of ST. I own a 05 which is the first year of the revised style and I love it. As far as the seat goes, I find mine a little uncomfortable and am going to swtich to the gel seat from Triumph in the spring. It's not hugely uncomfortable but I am a big guy and why I think my arse gets a little sore after a while.

[MVP44]

Welcome Jeffo,
there are many here who ride two up much more than I so I will let them comment on that - Like Dave M said the 05 begins the 1050 era, but it does not mean in any way that it leaves the 955 lacking. I have been a sportbiker for most of my life and I am frequently saying that as for an all around best bike - the ST has it hands down - It does everything very well and is a great bike. The last year and 1/2 have definitely brought a brand loyalty that will be hard to drag me away from when the need comes for my next bike.
Hope to see you get one

[4N099]

My buddy recently told me I was a niche bike owner.
Welcome to the niche.

[Calliway]

Originally Posted by 4N099

My buddy recently told me I was a niche bike owner.
Welcome to the niche.

What about "Boutique Bike". I was told my bike is a boutique bike.... I think that is meant like niche or exotic...I hope