A Review: The First 500 Miles

[adg44]

It has been about two weeks since I picked up my new 06 Sprint ST, and here is my initial review of the bike:

Styling: A+
Granted this is all subjective, and we wouldn't buy a bike that we didn't think looks good, but I love the look of the Sprint. The flow, design, and lines of this bike are excellent.

Instrumentation: A-
The guage layout is great. I love the three rings, and the "three" theme on the bike (exhaust tips). The tach in the center is clear and easy to read, as are the dials. I like the computer on the right side, although I wish it would display outside temperature and also have a gear indicator on it. I don't think those would be hard things to add as a revision for the next model Sprint.

Fit and Finish: C
One of the panels that covers the side of the winsheild (above the instrumentation) doesn't quite fit too well, and there are some panel gaps. Generally though, everything seems rather well cosntructed. The plastics feel of lesser quality than of my last bike, but I am also comparing it to a BMW, so that's not exactly fair. The surrounds of the dials seem a little flimsy, as does the actual plastic covering the guages, but it's not bad.

Initial Quality: D
On my bike, this has been really bad. The fuel pump was dead when they pulled it out of storage (it was sitting for two years). Then the rear fairing bubbled from the heat sheild for the exhaust touching it. Furthermore, the engine sometimes cuts out under hard breaking and when releasing the clutch, but it only does it randomly. The engine also seems to sputter and is rough between 2500-3500 RPM when light on the throttle. I think it just needs some attention, perhaps a new flash and a TB alignment, as well as who knows what else. It goes back into the dealer next Tuesday. Also, when I removed the fairings the other day, the rubber mounts/holders for the relays were all dry-rotted and torn. Some of the relays were just hanging there by the connectors. So, I put some electrical tape around all of them and taped them together so they would stay in place until I can get new mounts.

Ride/Handling: A
The bike is a blast to ride, and it handles great. It is well balanced, easy to lean, and hasn't given me the feeling of being out of control. The front suspension seems a little mushy sometimes (lots of dive under braking), but I also haven't adjusted it yet. The ride is firm, but not harsh. I find the bike very comfortable, even with the low bars. I am 6'2 and 215lbs, and I fit quite well on the bike. It is a bit of a foward lean, but it is a natural lean. My last bike was much more upright, but it caused me to hunch over, and that really hurt my back after a while. Also, the seat on this bike is excellent. It is contoured well and is a bit wider than some other seats, and works out very well for me.

Brakes: C+
I read a lot about mushy brake levers and sometimes seized calipers on here before I bought my bike, and it had me worried. My last bike had power assisted ABS brakes, so I didn't really have "feel" like this bike has, but I have noticed the front brakes are a little soft feeling sometimes. The bike always stops well, just the feeling the brakes give is not very positive. I wouldn't consider it a defect or a reason not to get the bike, just something that is different about it.

Engine: A+
This is what makes the bike, and it is just amazing. The exhaust note, linear power delivery, an great top end pull are the reason to buy this bike. I can't get enough of the engine. They may have skimped on some quality issues and some fit and finish concerns, but they didn't get anything wrong with the engine. I can't wait till I pass 1,000 miles so I can really get on it. I have noticed some realtively poor gas mileage (about 25-30 MPG), although I am really only doing city riding, and the engine is still breaking in. I assume this will get better, and also it could be that the issue that is causing my stalling also is affecting the gas mileage.

Headlights: C
The beam pattern is good, just they don't project far enough. I also noticed that they should probably be adjusted higher than where they come from the factory. I ordered some Osram NightBreaker +90 bulbs yesterday, and they arrived today. I will install them this weekend and provide pictures and a review of the increase in lighting.

This is all I can think of for right now, and I just figured I would share. Perhaps this will help some people interested in picking up a Sprint and looking for a review.

- Anthony

[Qweevox]

….wow….

It looks like you and I both got 06’s at the same time. I’ve had mine for a few weeks. I paid $6,500 for it and feel like I got an awesome deal. However, it sounds like you might have gotten an abused bike or something. Mine has a little over 5,000 miles on it but looks brand new. It rides fantastic. I don’t have any panel gaps or dry rot. As far as quality goes it just had its 6,000 mile check (early) and is good to go. Everyone thinks it’s a brand new bike. I’ve never had it stall out on braking, or any other time for that matter. The brakes aren’t harsh but I can stop as fast as my skill level will allow. I also don’t have any complaints about the headlights. Normally I don’t “hard” ride after dark so overrunning the headlights isn’t an issue for me. I’ve read where others have different opinions and I guess it all depends on when and how you ride.

If you’re bike was a “new” 06, it sounds like you might have gotten a bad copy or something. What’s the history of your bike?

[adg44]

My bike had 1 mile on it when I picked it up - it was brand new. It was in storage for two years at the dealer's warehouse.

When I say panel gaps, I don't mean anything that you would look at and say "wow, these barely fit!". I review automobiles, so I have an eye for these things that most people don't have.

As for the dry rotted rubber pieces that hold the relays in place, most likely the storage place was very dry, and the rubber started to rot. Also, I'm sure all the heat generated by the engine that is trapped under the fairings didn't help the situation.

I think the bike just needs a little love, and perhaps the dealer didn't do all that they were supposed to do when I picked up the bike because they were busy changing the fuel pump.

- Anthony

[Qweevox]

I went back in your previous posts and found where you described your purchase. I tell you what you are a more calm, polite, and tolerant man then me. I think I’d be a little pissed at the dealer. You paid a good price for a NEW 06 none-ABS bike, in my opinion it should be perfect.

I bought a used 06 “ABS” bike off eBay and feel like I stole it from the previous owner. In my opinion it WAS perfect. Motorcycles and cars are all the same, if you store them incorrectly for long periods of time things start to go bad. It sounds like your bike while not abused on the road was abused in storage.

Has the dealer made everything right? Like I said at the price you paid I’d make sure he did....just my 2 cents.

[adg44]

I took the bike from the dealer at cost. It also helped me out that it was an 06, as the insurance was a lot less expensive.

I go in on Tuesday, so everything should be taken care of then. I understand that sometimes things just need some love in the beginning and then they will be fine for a long time.

I am hoping for that.

[KevyKev]

Nice reviews! It has been pretty well documented here that the rubber straps for the battery and the relay holders are of poor quality and are commonly rotted out. They have been replaced under warranty for many of the people here thought. Luckily, the battery is pretty snug just by itself, and most people have zip-tied their relays in place, even before the dry-rot sets in. Congrats on your purchase! I love my 06!

[iceman]

.... I agree with most of what you say adg about the style and rideability - except I havent had any quality issues.
I suspect that most of your issues are related to being stored for 2 years and hopefully will be sorted under warranty.

Grant

[Calliway]

I have to say what bugs me the most about my bike, and i am being petty but its where the top fairing meets with the black cockpit pieces. I cant stand where jockey box and the blue meet down the side of the bike. There is a gap there that I can't get tight..... other than that the fit and finish is great.

[adg44]

Originally Posted by iceman

.... I agree with most of what you say adg about the style and rideability - except I havent had any quality issues.
I suspect that most of your issues are related to being stored for 2 years and hopefully will be sorted under warranty.

Grant

I figure that much, and that's why I'm not nearly as pissed as I would be otherwise.

I went out yesterday on it for the first time in 3 days, and it didn't want to start. It cranked for about 8 seconds, then the starter motor wouldn't turn anymore. So I had to release the button, relase the clutch, pull the clutch again, and then hit the starter button, and after another 3-4 seconds it would kind of backfire and then start. Somehow I don't think this is normal.

I also am noticing horrible gas mileage - I am averaging 24 MPG. Granted I mostly do city driving, but I still think this is considerably too low.

There is probably one little thing that is malfunctioning or not set properly that is causing all of my issues. I will mention that it hasn't stalled at all since last Sunday. Who knows...

I think I may need to adjust the clutch cable also, as when I downshift to neutral and then release the clutch, the transmssion sounds a little "rough", meaning I can hear the bike kind of knocking. Then when I pull the clutch in again, the knocking goes away.

- Anthony

[4N099]

Originally Posted by adg44

I think I may need to adjust the clutch cable also, as when I downshift to neutral and then release the clutch, the transmssion sounds a little "rough", meaning I can hear the bike kind of knocking. Then when I pull the clutch in again, the knocking goes away.

- Anthony

I'm pretty sure that is a normal sound for the clutch.
Mine doesn't make a "knocking" sound but it does produce a shushing/chuffing sound from the clutch when engaged and in neutral.