Triumphrat

rodneybrown · 02-14-2005

Lately I seen different "shoot outs", tests or whatever on ST's and RS's from Bike to Sport Rider. They all give the Sprints these left handed compliments - great engine, suspension sucks. Let's just face it, we ride a piece of crap. Let's all write letters to these wonderful examples of the journalistic art and tell them so. When you do, remember not to tell them about the times you blew that icon of perfection VFR into the weeds, or how you tour with Beemers and run with the bad boys. Ya know, I kinda like it when someone says, "what kinda bike IS that?" The one I really like is when a crotch rocketeer says "I hear they are OK but heavy." Funny, my loaded down sludge bucket hasn't been a burden in two years of riding - it kinda has stealth effect when you are under estimated.

DragonDan · 02-14-2005

The Gods of marketing are to blame. It's all about the price point. What'r ST's going for, brand new? 10K? Imagine the added cost of Brembo brakes, Ohlins suspension, Marchese (sp) wheels, etc. You also keep in mind that quite a few people are not carving canyons on a daily basis, or whatever so they don't really have a need for top of the line components. There are several people who have said the bike is fine for them as Hinkley has offered it.

That said, I'm still gonna look into Racetech!

2ndSpace · 02-14-2005

Just a couple of weeks ago a guy on a VFR made some off handed comments on how old the Sprints are and that they are old tech. Seems my old tech blew his VTEC away over a mountian pass. He latter admitted that he didn't have the torque comming out of the tight 2nd gear corners. He was also amazed at how deep i could break going in and that the Sprint could handle higher lean angles.

FattRat · 02-14-2005

Bikes is bikes.

If I wanted super high tech', designer name components, or the current trend.... I mighta bought something other than my Triumph.
If I wanted to brag, boast, and beat the pants off some kid on his 'best of the best', I'd take a few years off from street riding and buy a track bike..... then learn how to ride.
I wouldn't have to bother racing & bragging then, 'cause I'd know I'm "all that"...... (and a bag of chips)!

I spent five grand for a used '04 RS that can be had BRAND NEW for not a hell of a lot more (can you say 'Bargain'?!). It's got nose dive, the Showa suspension is 'decent' for 15,000 miles, and if you put a GOOD rider on it..... he'll excel all of our expectations of what we THINK we can do on our best day!
A bike is only as capable as it's weakest link, and 95% of the time..... it's the rider.

I haven't had my Black RS but only for a month, and we haven't had a chance to learn one another's style yet. But it's gonna be one hell of a cool distraction in MY life this summer! I see NOTHING wrong with what the magazines are saying about our Sprints; by comparison..... it IS olde technology, and it DOES have a suspension that's lacking. I ain't gonna take it personally, and I'm certainly not lusting any less for that 2005 ST.......! :razz:

My album....

[ This message was edited by: FattRat on 2005-02-14 12:40 ]

02-14-2005

I agree. Old technology is no fun at all. Just ask anyone who drives a Shelby Cobra. (Or, in my case an air-cooled, 2 valve Ducati SS.)

Bruce19

Jerry · 02-14-2005

I tell you what I like most about my Sprint. It isn’t that when the sport bike guys gas it that I’m right there next to them until we both top out. It’s isn’t that when we hit the twisties they can’t loose me and wonder why. It isn’t because it will out run every cruiser or BMW that has testes its spunk. Although all of that brings a gleam to my eye and a smile to my face what I REALLY like is when we pull into the gas station and I hear… You don’t need gas? I just smile and say… no, not this time.

02-14-2005

Well, as one who gets 45-50 mpg in the twisties with a hotted up Ducati SS, I too smile at the pump. As for that "best" sport bike thing, I have a friend with a Aprilia Falco and if the RS is a better bang for the buck than that thing, I will be in ecstacy.

Bruce19

rodneybrown · 02-14-2005

The point I was originally trying to make is that Sprints hold their own with ANYTHING on the street. It doesn't have the top end of a Hyrabuse or the fancy runnng gear of a 999R, but "on the street" those bikes don't take advantage of the state of the art. Think about it. I leave the house at 6 or 7 am and ride all day returning at or just after sunset. With a few stops to enjoy the scerery I just knocked anywhere from 300 to 600 miles. Most of the time I'm running between 60 and 80. As low as 40 in some twisties but rarely over a 100, not because it won't do it either, just not fun for me. Nothing runs away from me for long at pace. No one leaves me in the turns, so are a bit quicker, but old tech, new tech they just aren't that much faster. Last point, tell me which bike with conventional forks doesn't dive???? How much does a set of stiffer springs cost?

UK-SPD · 02-14-2005

VFR off, VFR's are overrated. Yes they are honda and that speaks to alot of things but they can't get out of their own way. I ride the ST, my brother has a VFR, and he has yet to drop me anywhere and I can hit the throttle can be gone. The braking no where near the cabiler to the ST. From personal experience, the VFR doesn't stop the way it should with their linked system..

The ST might not be the best but it still completes at 5 years of mininal upgrades and redigning.

The 2005 ST should really put the agruement to rest against the other ST's of world.

highwayman · 02-14-2005

You guys all need to stop making me want a Sprint more than I already do. Enough. I can't take it anymore!