my introduction

[rljetsetradio]

hello, my name is Aaron. i was looking for an introduction forum but didn't see one so i thought this would be as good a place as any. im looking to get an sprint st in about 6 months.
i started riding a bit over 4 years ago, i started on a ninja 250 and kept on that for 2 years, i loved the hell out of it. nimble and forgiving and was a blast to wring its neck constantly.
i then sold it for a hyosung gt650r and actually really like the bike, its also very forgiving and predictable, corners really well. its comparable to an sv650, a bit heavier but makes a bit more power. hindsight i should have gotten an sv as the resell is better and aftermarket support is better, i just wanted something different than what everyone else had. im still happy with the bike.
later on someone gave me a kz400 which i turned into a cafe racer project and was going to give it to a friend as his first bike, he ended up on the wrong side of the law so it mine until he gets out.
after that i bought a drz400sm on impulse. its a blast to ride through the city, makes me do bad things. also really fun for twisty roads and goat trails. the bike makes me smile and i have vowed to never sell it(except maybe to get a husky 510, but don't tell my suzuki that!).
after riding for 4 years i noticed i haven paid any attention to my car, at all. the thing was just sitting in front of my place rotting away. i realized that i could turn it into another bike. so i found a buy and got myself a honda f3. its gonna be a street fighter when im done with it.

now i found myself wanting a sport tourer, something more comfy for going on epic rides. but i wanted something more on the sporty end of the spectrum. i was looking at the honda vfr for a while and was almost set on it until someone mentioned triumph. i had forgotten all about triumph in my daze of ogling over japanese, italian, german, bikes and buels. i forgot all about the uk.dont get me wrong, i really like the thruxton and the scrambler and the daytona 675 makes me feel funny in my pants. they just dont seem to ever pop in my head when i make my bike buying decisions. this time however i was reminded, i looked at the sprint st and the decision became more and more obvious. i dont find it as esthetically pleasing as i do the vfr but i was worried about the torque(or lack there of) from the vfr and the v-tec valve adjustment costs(i hear its really expensive).
so i plan on selling the hyosung and in about 6 months i will have saved enough for a good down payment.

sorry for the long post.
-aaron

[DaveM]

Welcome Aaron,
you did fine just jumping right in here.

The Sprint would be a sensible natural progression for you. I am very pleased to see your bike size and progression over your early bike years, I always think this is the best way to learn myself.

The Sprint is a very torquey bike delivering power like a V-Twin but revving like a four if you want too. The engine is the centre of this bike which knocked the VTR off it's podium a few years ago.

The Sprint has power from 2000rpm to it's redline and handles like attacks corners like a Rhino on heat when set up properly and shod with decent tyres. Unfortunately the standard supplied Slipstones are not the best tyres suited to the bike if you ride in a more sporty manner.

In short the Sprint is an excellent all rounder equally happy chugging through town or carving up mountains or touring big distances. It is strong, reliable, comfortable and a bundle of fun.

If you want to take a little moment and have any doubt of the Sprint's sporting capabilities look at both of my albums in the clicky links below. I have rather a lot of tyre porn there.

There are several threads if you do a search which compare the sprint to other bikes including the VFR.

Cheers,
DaveM

[rljetsetradio]

thats what got me mroe interested in the sprint than the vfr was the 3 banger. im used to the power output of twins and thumpers and i still feel like im gogin into warp drive on the f3 when i crank it over 10k and when using the power it has it comes off as "jerky" i guess im just not used to it.
from what iver heard about the engine in the sprint, which is as you described, it seems to be the best of both worlds.

i knew the tires would be lame. the stock tires usually are, the bridgestones actually aren't as bad as most of the dunlops i get as stockers, so im glad i dont have to go through another pair of 208s. after i am done with them ill prolly put some continetal road attacks on. i have them on my hyosung and have grown quite fond of them. great traction in the wet and dry, especially considering the millage i get out of them.

[caddydaddy]

Welcome! I recently came off a Ninja 250 and onto a new Sprint. It's an awesome bike and I haven't looked back. The torque is great at low RPMs, and when you crank the throttle, it FLIES! It's very docile around town, so it's a great commuter bike. I also get lots of compliments on it, even from cruiser riders.
The BattlAx tires are MUCH better than the Dunlops that were on my Ninja. I have no complaints with these tires, but I'm sure there are better ones available.
I suggest a test ride of the Sprint! I did and, well, now I own one!