First long ride on a new Sprint

[ukflyer]

Well my new baby was 4 days old yesterday and having put on 100 miles (and passed the 3500 rpm limit) felt ready to take her for a long ride.

Rode from Crawley to Newbury and back (about 75 miles each way) and was mostly impressed. Went M23 to M25 to M3. Off at Bracknell and up to pick up the M4. Off at junct 12 (Theale) and A4 to Newbury (best bit of the ride!). Now have about 250 miles on her after this trip.

Things to note:
1. Mirror vibration not too bad.. can still see behind. Was expecting worse from reports read.
2. Seat seems to get warmer after moderate to hard acceleration. Cools off again at cruise and no right foot heating noticed.
3. Motorway driving incredibly boring... bike much more interesting on A and B roads.
4. Suspension harder than on the old Trident 900. The Trident used to just absorb bumps. I certainly feel them on the Sprint.
5. The fairing works well cutting a swathe thru the airflow at speed. Hardly any bugs on the screen. Helmet visor, however, covered in wildlife.
6. Wonderful handling at 70-85 mph. Everything feels so well balanced. Lane changes feel like they happen when you just will them to.
7. Had a bad case of 'buzzy hand syndrome' after 50 miles. Tried to relax grip on bars on return leg but still feel it. Hope that my body will adapt to the bike in future and this will not be so much of a factor. Hard to grip loosely on the motorway because of the buffeting.
8. Pacific blue is a gorgeous colour and was worth waiting the extra time to get. It appears to change hue depending on the light it is under. Bright sunlight it looks almost purplish. Under cloud looks navy and under flourescent light in the garage it looks teal.
9. Still finding gear changes notchy. Perhaps that will improve in time but do not understand the 'buttery smooth' description that I have read in reviews.


All comments welcome.

Regards to all.
James

[Smoothlennie]

Hi James,

Glad to hear you are loving the new bike.

You will find that the gear change improves after the first oil change.

After about 7500miles on mine after nearly a year, I continue to be impressed by the overall attributes of this bike. My avatar was changed to the one shown, after somebody snapped this photo on our ride today, also about 150 miles in length.

safe riding,

Dave

[KevyKev]

Agreed. The tranny gets smoother with both milage and also once switched from the 'break-in' oil over to synthetic.

[HiddenSun]

Better get used to that hot seat especially if you find yourself in traffic on a warm day.

Does anyone know if an aftermarket exhaust eliminates any of that heat?

[oldndumb]

ukflyer...Congratulations on your new bike.

As to the hard suspension, have you checked the suspension adjustments? Most dealers seem to put the bikes out the door with a variety of settings.

The heat will be more noticeable than on a naked bike. That large of an engine with all of the resultant hot air exiting the rear of the fairing, combined with an under seat exhaust will be warm. It is still not as warm as an FJR.

The heat bothers some, and doesn't bother others. It is subjective.

BTW, the bike really isn't broken in and running nominally until about 6000 to 7000 miles.

[Sofalofa]

Nice report. My Sprint (picked up yesterday) has just passed it's 100 mile mark. Was out earlier and it absolutely pissed it down, so that spotless "new" look to the bike is gone in one quick swoop. Sun is out now so think I'll chuck a bucket or 2 of water over it and head out again...

[mf51y]

Great you will have no regrets, had mine 3 months done 2400 miles love it, getting used to it now, gear changes a lot smoother prob down to rider getting used to bike!!! Most of the miles done 2 up with wife its two bikes in one excellent 2 up and as much fun and more on your own.

I spent a lot of time fine tuning suspension, for 2 up, 2 up with luggage and 1 up. It is definitely worth the time the bike really warms to you when you have got the settings correct.

Just fitted triumph off road box and sensible tail tidy...what a difference...she looks beautiful and sounds gorgeous, can never see me changing her now!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[PaulM]

Sorry 250 miles is not a long ride its just a quick blast give us your opinion after your first 600 plus day go for it you will enjoy. Cheers PM

[oldndumb]

250 miles could be a long ride. They are all relative and subjective, aren't they?

[HotRodSprint]

Just keep riding it.
My shifting felt "notchy" til around the 800 mile mark.
The tranny does become buttery smooth with more miles.
Patience man, it takes patience.
and miles.