New baby

[seumas]

Well the RS showed up yesterday. I snuck out of work early so I could get it inspected and registered, then went for a little ride. First impressions are; lighter and quicker with better low speed handling--not nearly as top heavy as the T3. But so far I think FrankenSprint has better high speed stability and more character overall. There's just something about the sound of the 885 mill with the D&D cans. It's awfully addictive, but I'm not sure the neighbors share my appreciation for the sound--especially when I'm pulling out of the driveway at 0530.

Here's a pic of the two of them. FrankenSprint meets Beowulf.

Yes, it has a name already. The name just jumped out at me the first time I saw it with the Wolf exhaust.

[MotT3]

Cool stuff.....

I'd be interested if you were to add to this post as you settle in with the.... new bike V the old bike...experience.

[shemp]

T3's are top-heavy?

That RS is a nice looking bike seumas. well done.

[ This message was edited by: shemp on 2007-04-28 10:06 ]

[seumas]

A few more impressions of the differences between the two bikes.
The old 900 seems to have more low-end grunt. Combine that with lower gearing and I think the 900 would win the stoplight-to-stoplight grand prix. To give you an idea of the difference in gearing, at an indicated 80 mph the 900 is turning about 5200 rpm in 6th gear. At the same speed the RS is showing 4500 rpm.
In a top speed run it would be no contest. I have no doubt the 955 would run away from the 900 on the top end. Where the 900 seems to be running out of breath at 7K rpms the 955 pulls strong to 9K (an indicated 83 mph in second gear--don't ask me about 4th gear :-D ) I'm still working with the jetting after installing the D&D cans, so this may change. Don't believe D&D's claims about no rejetting required.
The RS has a more aggressive riding posture; lower, narrower bars and higher, more rear-set pegs. I like the superbike bars fitted to the 900. They are slightly wider and I like the bend better.
While it has a nice tone, the Wolf exhaust is much quieter than the D&D. The boys have already mentioned that the new bike doesn't wake them up when I fire it up in the morning.
I miss my Corbin saddle.
If I was going for a run up the canyon, I would definitely take the RS. If I was taking another 2000 mile trip, I would probably take the 900. It's going to make for an interesting decision when I go to the Rat raid in British Columbia this July.

Forgot to add; if I'm gonna cruise around town and impress the Harley boys with the size of my... er... um... pipes, I'll take the 900 with the D&D's.

Edited to add the mileage. FrankenSprint has always gotten about 34 mpg unless I'm on a long trip. The best mileage I've seen was 39 on my trip to California last summer. The first tankful in the RS netted 47 mpg. I definitely wasn't babying it. I've been playing a lot to see what it will do.

[ This message was edited by: seumas on 2007-05-01 17:14 ]

[Droz]

Beautiful bikes. It was seeing the RS's that got me thinking about buying a Triumph in the first place.

Seeing your picture, I would have normally assumed that the RS would wear the loud pipes. It's got a much more aggresive look to it.

Nice to hear the Sprint considered top heavy. I'm a bit embarrassed over a couple of clumsy stops I've made on the Sprint. Its certainly top heavy compared to my RZ350!

Droz

[seumas]

Thanks Droz. I had to catch the Sprint a couple times too when I first got it. You get used to it.
BTW I saw your thread about rejetting for the altitude in Edmonton. Although some people say the CV carbs are supposed to compensate for altitude, mine definitely ran rich before I started playing with it.