Thinking about a Sprint

[KitNYC]

Sensible throttle control can keep you out of a lot of trouble, right up until you hit a pothole that sends your wrist down & your revs up. Anybody wanna ask if I was happy to be on a 40 horse machine when I learned that one?

As far as driving & riding skills go, I'd like to think I'm a pretty good rider. Having 40k miles under my belt in the last 4 years, surviving 2 1000-mile days in April, including 300 miles of pouring rain after Midnight in the Tennessee mountains, tends to support that theory.

I can't drive. I have a class M license, which entitles me to pilot 2-wheelers but not 4-wheelers. I took my driving test a couple years ago & failed. I failed because I'm a lousy driver, & I'm glad they fail at least some people who drive like me.

Anyway, I have shared my opinion. No es mi problema if you don't agree.

Cheers,
-Kit

[KaHOnas]

My point of view is, if you're going to get a bike, get something that you can live with and you won't grow tired of after 6 months. I've had several mates get themselves into the 2-wheel world with a lower-power introductory bike and after riding for a short while and the comfort level sets in, decide they really want something bigger.

Throttle control is an increasingly important quality as the engine power grows, however, you can get into just as much trouble on a Ninja 250 as you can on a 'busa if you lose your focus. I'm sure there are those who will want to disagree, but the way I see it, respect the machine, keep your eyes open, anticipate the moves of the idiot in the cage next to you, and you'll be golden.

If I kill myself, at least it'll be on a bike that St. Peter will think is pretty darn cool. Sprint it up!

[slowcharles]

Part of the deal I made with myself is that I am not getting a sprint until I take an advanced mc course so hopefully that will help a little.

[justinrhenry]

Originally Posted by slowcharles

I had a few caveats- the power delivery was a little oversensitive and my wrist hurt quite a bit, also I felt uncomfortable with the hot air blowing on my leg. Nevertheless I fell in love the bike.

I would worry less about the advice these guys are giving (intermediate bike, etc.) and more about whether it's a Sprint you truly want. If you read through many of the posts on this forum you'll see there are some issues with ride comfort. Make sure the Sprint is really the bike for you before you dump 7k on it.

Aside from that the Sprint is a fairly lightweight bike and very well balanced. In many ways I would consider it a intermediate bike.

[slowcharles]

Originally Posted by KitNYC

Sensible throttle control can keep you out of a lot of trouble, right up until you hit a pothole that sends your wrist down & your revs up. Anybody wanna ask if I was happy to be on a 40 horse machine when I learned that one?

-Kit

I learnt the pothole lesson on my 5hp scooter- but I essentially agree with you that a smaller bike would make a lot more sense -

In my 20s I had a few small capacity very crappy bikes so I have a little experience- mostly with crashing them actually.

In all honesty I would have preferred to get the Bonnie as I liked the looks and the price but I just felt the dynamics of it, the build quality, the engine , the gear box were all really lacking for me. It is not the power of the Sprint I liked - it was the stability and general all around quality that impressed me.

Anyway you have convinced me to give the SV650 a test ride at some point.

[redonblack]

Originally Posted by Smoothlennie

Since this is a Triumph forum and you speak of one of the old and new Triumph company classics, I have to say that it's 'Bonnie', not 'bonny'

It could be a bonny Bonnie couldn't it?

Hey Slowcharles, you don't say where on the planet you are. Once we know that, I'm sure whoever is in a position to look out for a good bike for you will do so.

[ricster]

Originally Posted by slowcharles

I was over at my Triumph dealer with a friend helping him buy a scooter-they also sell cheap chinese scooters. I also have a 50cc scooter but have been thinking about upgrading.

They let me test drive the Bonneville. I was extremely disappointed in it in almost every respect and I told the dealer so. I found it underpowered, badly handling and just very basic.

They then let me drive the sprint. I was very nervous because my previous experience was with a 50cc automatic scooter. But the Sprint just blew me away. I felt safer on it then on my scooter. I had a few caveats- the power delivery was a little oversensitive and my wrist hurt quite a bit, also I felt uncomfortable with the hot air blowing on my leg. Nevertheless I fell in love the bike.


I am think of spending around $7k on a 2006 model- not sure if I should get abs-any thoughts on that. Also should I be concerned with lack of a warranty?

Basically what should I look out for when buying a second hand sprint and where is the best place to find one?

Where are you located?

[whoosh]

Originally Posted by ricster

Where are you located?

Especially as quoting $ could mean you are in America, Canada, Australia, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Singapore, Barbados, Bermuda, Fiji, Jamaica, Taiwan, Trinidad or Zimbabwe.

I think there may be others too

[TattooedRedHead]

Originally Posted by slowcharles

Thinking about a Sprint...

I'm thinking about a sprint too! Every minute I'm not out riding mine I'm thinking about a Sprint

7K for a '06 is GOOD!

My '06 was bought new in late '07 and I'm paying 12k! Make sure you get your hard bags! Mine was delivered with the free hard bags, even though I bought it AFTER the special promotion the bike was delivered with the hard side bags for free.

I have a set of soft panniers for sale still if you're interested in the soft luggage.

I never use them.

--Kory

[slowcharles]

Originally Posted by ricster

Where are you located?

Westchester, New York