Triumphrat

Inspector Vijay · 04-03-2008

This is for anybody who has ridden both the Tiger 1050 and the Sprint 1050 ST. Can you tell that the Sprint as ten more horses, just by riding? And how does the handling compare?

ruscook · 04-04-2008

I haven't ridden both Vijay, but be aware the Tiger is geared significantly lower than the Sprint - 10%. Therefore the acceleration will be much greater than just the engine specs would have you think. Obviously lower gearing affects top speed, but in general we're talking about 20-30kph off the absolute max so it doesn't have a huge bearing on the real world.

Given the S3 was geared 5% lower than the Sprint, I can say that lower gearing gives a greater rush and didn't affect fuel economy.

Here's a comparison of ratios between the 3 incarnations of the 1050 motor: http://bikes.no-ip.info/S3/Triumph-1...ketRatios.html (will be up on line shortly).

It shows front/rear sprocket size, final ratio, variation to the Sprint and the speed in 6th for each bike from 2500-10000 RPM.

Russ

Rincewind · 04-04-2008

Yeah I have ridden both, as well as the 1050 Speed Triple, though they were just short test rides. I found I traveled faster on the Sprint. I'm not sure if this was due to different gearing, or the more aggressive ergos taunting me to go faster. In terms of acceleration, I don't recall a huge difference. The Sprint is lower and more compact, so it does handle slightly different than the taller Tiger, though I preferred the open riding position of the Tiger in the end.

Nigeh · 04-04-2008

I test rode both these bikes back to back last October.

They are completly different bikes in repect of the riding positions so I would not really compare them. The Sprint was cramped, uncomfy, etc, and the Tiger was superbly comfy in comparison. IMO. There again I am not a 12 stone lightweight so require something with a bit of space.

I also had a hayabusa at the same time I test rode these bikes and in order of being comfy the Tiger was first, then Busa!!

The engines were great though and I would say I would have ridden the Sprint much faster than the Tiger. However if I was off to the S of France it would be the Tiger everytime.

As far as telling the difference in performance it was pretty similar to me, the Sprint feeling a touch faster but probably due to the riding position, noise, etc.

tubby885 · 04-04-2008

I had a Tiger1050 courtesy bike when I took my Sprint for it's first service.
The upright position and wide bars made me feel strangely agoraphobic.
Nice bike though,but I longed for the comfort zone of the compact Sprint position.Weird.

nehpetsthegrey · 04-04-2008

Yes I have owned both bikes.
The Sprint is a superb bike and goes like stink. The engine may be a bit more powerful but the steamlining is the biggest advantage. The bike seems to have a lot of extra performance at high speed when its slippery shape counts. BUT. even though its quicker, it is smaller. And for a big bugger like me it was a serious point. The sprint was a real pain in town as it kicks out so much heat and is a pain on the wrists. In the end I sold it for the more relaxed tiger riding position. You can corner the same on both, it just seems more extreme on the tiger (wahoooo), and the tiger is more comfortable. BUT the sprint has much better lights.

Inspector Vijay · 04-04-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by nehpetsthegrey

BUT the sprint has much better lights.

The Sprint has better lights?! That's very interesting, since nearly all Sprint owners (me included) complain about the headlights. I didn't know this is an issue for Tigers also.

Many thanks for your comments, guys.

I just rode down from NY to Atlanta, GA, with crappy weather all the way. Tomorrow I'm supposed to continue south to Gainesville FL, and the rain is supposed to get worse. My fault entirely for getting impatient with the riding season and mixing motorcycling with business. But on weeks like this, I thank my stars for the Sprint's little "heat problem"!

choclabguy · 04-04-2008

I have an 07 tiger 1050 ABS that I picked up last fall and I have been toying with the idea of trading it for an 08 Sprint mostly for a sexier look.

I got a chance to ride an 06 Sprint yesterday and found the ridding position to be way to cramped. The Sprint handles very well but I felt my Tiger has better acceleration. I have A Remus Powercone exhaust, TOR Tune,and a
K & N air filter so my guess is that I have added a few ponies and a few foot lbs of torque.

Next upon the test list is a Ducati ST 3.