Triumphrat

soph9 · 09-08-2008, 06:59 PM

New to the forum and would really appreciate some good and honest opinions...we are 2 women who love sport bikes and even love the touring sport bike concept more. We are experienced riders, ride safely but also have fun. We were thinking of trading in our 2008 Suzuki SV650's for 2 2008 ST's. Any input about the weight and size of this bike for 2 5'5" not so heavy females?

Tri-oomph! · 09-08-2008, 07:52 PM

There is a member on here called STChick. She has two sprints. You could do a search on some of her posts, but it might be hit and miss regarding the ergos. However, I believe there is a post titled "ST ergonomics" that she contributed to concerning how she fits the bike.

Calliway · 09-08-2008, 07:56 PM

Soph,

I just sold my Sprint to a lady who was 5'4" 130lbs and she loved it. It was a 2005 so it would be the same as the 2008. The weight is going to be a personal thing for you but I think you would be fine.

Coroja · 09-08-2008, 08:04 PM

Suzuki's Web site lists the SV650 at 363 lbs dry while Triumph lists the Sprint ST at 462 lbs dry. In other words, the Triumph is going to be 100 lbs or almost 30% heavier. The Sprint's seat height is only 0.2 in higher, but it will seem like more because it is wider. It is also effectively twice as powerful!

Women have proportionally longer legs than men of the same height, so it would be easier for you to get your feet on the ground than it would be for a small man. On the other hand, unless you are weightlifters, men tend to have proportionally greater upper body strength, which is what you need if the bike starts to tip over.

The SV-650 is a great entry-level bike, but it was built to meet a pretty low price point, the Sprint is high-end, luxury vehicle. It is basically the same as comparing a Chevrolet to a BMW (auto that is). You will immediately notice the additionally quality and the fact that the Sprint has some "personality quirks" (how about those BMW cupholders) that the SV's didn't have. Most of us think that is a positive thing.

From a practical point of view, any problems you are likely to have will be low-speed-maneuvering related. If you decide to buy the Sprints, get crash bungs installed by the dealer before you ever even attempt to move the bikes. Don't ride with the saddlebags mounted until you really feel completely comfortable moving the bike around in close quarters. Don't do any low-speed maneuvers on inclined surfaces (like most driveways); just try to find a used Sprint for sale that doesn't have a few scratches from being dropped in the driveway. And don't ride alone, you don't have enough height (i.e. leverage) and/or weight (i.e. counterbalance) to pick a dropped Sprint up.

But remember, every bike gets lighter and lower with familiarity. You just have to get over the awkward, unfamiliar period without scratching your baby. Hopefully, there are some shorter riders that can add more specifics, my experience comes from trying to teach my wife and a few other women to ride.

You are also likely to need the dealer to fit dogleg clutch and brake levers to make the clutch easier to work; it is pretty stiff; I'm in the process of converting mine to hydraulic for that reason (coupled with decades of abusing my hands). Fortunately, that is something you can see for yourself at the dealer. Sit on the bike and squeeze the clutch lever once a minute for half and hour. Hold the clutch in for 2 minutes every 4-5 squeezes. That is about like a short ride in traffic.

And, by the way, there won't be any comparison between the Sprint and an SV-650 when you are actually riding.

stinky93071 · 09-08-2008, 08:22 PM

Most of the women I know that ride would have no problem with it.

One woman told me it didn't have enough power for her. She got a 08 gsxr 1000, another got an 07 busa. One woman I have talk to a few times just set a land speed record. http://cbs11tv.com/sports/land.speed....2.807948.html

Don't think women can not ride just cause they are girls..

Go for a test ride and see if you like the bike.

Calliway · 09-08-2008, 08:29 PM

Stinky you are so right.

Last track day there were sixty riders. 25 of them were women on GSXR600s 750's etc. All major lines of gear are producing female specific gear. Very cool.

soph9 · 09-08-2008, 08:37 PM

awesome responses guys...thanks....we are aware of the weight difference between our SV's...actually 372 lbs dry...and the ST...we are also looking at the BMW F800 ST....411 lbs dry weight.

All three bikes are in a league of their own...we hoping to test ride the BMW and ST ASAP...and of course we are waiting on both dealers to give us a trade in value for our Suzuki's and what the actual end of season cost would be for the Triumph and BMW.

Any ideas as to what we should be looking to pay for a 2008 ST? I have an idea just thought I'd ask.

Calliway · 09-08-2008, 08:44 PM

Soph, that depends on where you are. It doesnt tell us in your profile.

stinky93071 · 09-08-2008, 08:48 PM

I don't think you will like the BMW, I have been on one and thought they were under powered. If you are looking for the SPORT-touring bike. To me it felt on par with the SV650, but just not as nibble (just how it felt to me) I know some that love them.

soph9 · 09-08-2008, 08:55 PM

Calliway I updated my info....I live about 45 mins east of Vancouver...I commute each day to Vancouver though and would also be using this bike for commuting as well as trips.

We want to know how this bike would do heading down the Oregon Coast from Vancouver, BC comfort wise? No doubt about the horsepower and speed...what about the seat and overall comfort?