Triumphrat

slowcharles · 07-20-2008

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?

KaHOnas · 07-21-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by slowcharles

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?

I got mine from the "lemon lot" on an U.S. Army installation. I didn't get a warranty, but that didn't bother me nice I got a shop manual. I am a helicopter mechanic and I've been working on cars since I was a kid. Warranty? Meh. It's been a very reliable bike and I've not had any issues with the lack of warranty.

In regard to the ABS, I can't really give much of an opinion. What I will say is that if you plan on doing a lot of long distance riding where you may find yourself in the rain, I'd consider it. If you plan on doing very well planned long trips, or shorter trips, I wouldn't really worry about it. I don't have ABS (in fact, I have never had ABS in any of my cages, either, save for my wife's Honda), and I don't desire it, either.

I think it's more a matter of preference. Glad you're looking at a Sprint! You will NOT be disappointed. I love mine.

DZinAZ · 07-21-2008

I bought a 2005 and got the extended 2 year warranty with a 3 year maint package. Ask and see what your dealer can do.

I really enjoy my bike. Throttle control will improve with wrist control. It's a big bike so you will have to respect it.

KitNYC · 07-21-2008

Wow, you were really disappointed in the Bonnie's performance coming off a 50cc scooter?!?! That truly does shock me. I love my Sprint, but it's my 3rd bike! How about a Kawi Versys or a Ninja 650? Suzuki GSX650F? Ducati Monster 620/695? I strongly suggest taking an intermediate step before dropping $7k on something as big, heavy, & fast as a Sprint.

Just my $.02,
-Kit

pacman57 · 07-21-2008

I can only suggest that you take Kit's advice and do an intermediate step.
50cc to 1050cc seems a very large step unless you have excellent control over your right wrist

slowcharles · 07-21-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by pacman57

I can only suggest that you take Kit's advice and do an intermediate step.
50cc to 1050cc seems a very large step unless you have excellent control over your right wrist

Well part of the reason the bonny seemed slow is because I have a car that does 0-60 in about 3 seconds so I am used to speed to some extent. But I too am surprised at how much I didn't like the bonny as that was my bike of choice.

Part of the reason I am getting 2nd hand is because I agree that the Sprint is quite a handful and is liable to be dropped by me at some point. But then again I could see the same thing happening with the bonny.

As for control over my right risk- I think I have it. But in all honesty I really feal a lot more exposed on my 35mph scooter with cars breathing down my neck all the time. I really would like to know which is statistically more dangerous- my scooter or a sprint. I am pretty sure its the scooter.

Smoothlennie · 07-21-2008

I respect the fact that you have a hot car, but really, do the wise thing and get a great bike of the genre that Kit mentions. Amongst those is the Suzuki SV650 V-twin and the Hyosung Korean copy. There are lots of the Korean examples over here and unlike Koraen cars (IMHO) the Hyosung holds its own quite well.

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'

just my 2c

Good luck and SAFE RIDING with whatever you get.

NotSoFast · 07-21-2008

Welcome slowcharles-First I'm going to agree with you about a "motorcycle" being safer than a small scooter. Generally, the small wheels and less suspension travel on sccoters make them more unstable and the lack of speed as you cited can be a safety issue.

I'm going to agree with the others about a smaller bike to transition. It's not about buying a cheaper bike because you'll have less invested, it's about learning to control the bike safely and not be overwhelmed by the power. I appreciate that you have a fast car, but car dynamics and bike dynamics are two very different things.

Regarding ABS-do a search on the site for the for and against arguments. I have ABS and I think that it is a great feature for street riding, I've been riding for 45 years. My 2c

slowcharles · 07-21-2008

I took the Sprint on a 5 mile test ride through curvy mountain roads and I felt very comfortable.

So while I appreciate the cautionary advice and I believe it makes sense to have a healthy dose of fear regarding the ability of the bike- I really feel that sensible use of the throttle should ameliorate most of the danger of a big bike.

And I also feel that I have learnt a lot about the dynamics of bikes with the scooter. The car I have, the ariel atom, is really more like a bike in many ways and I think that gives me useable experience in keeping safe.

In any case I am super excited about getting the Sprint- if you know of any 2006 good deals around let me know

Croak · 07-21-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by slowcharles

I took the Sprint on a 5 mile test ride through curvy mountain roads and I felt very comfortable.

So while I appreciate the cautionary advice and I believe it makes sense to have a healthy dose of fear regarding the ability of the bike- I really feel that sensible use of the throttle should ameliorate most of the danger of a big bike.

And I also feel that I have learnt a lot about the dynamics of bikes with the scooter. The car I have, the ariel atom, is really more like a bike in many ways and I think that gives me useable experience in keeping safe.

In any case I am super excited about getting the Sprint- if you know of any 2006 good deals around let me know

Sensible throttle control can keep you out of a lot of trouble.

But there's a whole new world of physics you're going to be dealing with on a 550 pound motorcycle besides accelleration.

Keep that in mind, always. And it'd be money well spent if you took some classes as well.

I'm a better than average performance driver in my BMW (420rwhp supercharged E36 M3, trimmed down to 2800 pounds), based on lap times at the track compared to other drivers.

Nearly everything I learned about going fast and safe behind the wheel of that and many other cars is worthless once I climb on my Sprint. I reckon I've got a few more years o' learning before I'd even consider myself an average sport rider.