[NikosR]

I'm considering getting a '06 Sprint ST. At least the dealer says it's a '06. How can I tell if it's a '06 or '05? From the VIN?

Also, could somebody guide me as to how I can tell if the bike has the extra heatshield installed? What do I have to look for?

 

[AaronB]

Should have 5 letters, then the 3rd number will be the last digit of the year made.


example:

SHHEP335('05 year)14U501785



As for the heat shield foam...

Look for the foam that sticks up from the inside of the fairing. Not the stuff that's all glued down. If the fairings are on the bike, look at them from the rear, and you should see gray foam blocking the space from the fairing to the engine.

Hope that helped









[ This message was edited by: triumphite on 2006-11-07 09:55 ]

 

[NikosR]

triumphite thanks for the reply.

About the year made, would the digit indicate the actual year made or the 'model' year? I understand that a year's models are not all made during that calendar year. For example, a '06 model might have been made late 2005, but it would still be considered a '06 model?

I'm still a bit confused about how to tell the model year.

Regarding the heat shield, I'm sure the bike I'm eyeing does not have the foam installed, but the dealer maintains it's a '06 and I quato 'recently imported'. I thought all '06s had the heat shield installed?

 

[AaronB]

It is the year it came out of the factory. Late made bike OCT/NOV/DEC can be next model years


Don't let the dealer screw you on the foam. If you don't see it, it's not there.


Look on the right neck of the bike, it has a manufactures info plate. It will say the month and year built.

Later months, OCT/NOV/DEC could be considered an '06. However, if you make him knock off $2000, then I'd consider.

Be a jerk, and make him sell you the bike cheap. If there is no deal, WALK AWAY!!!!

Pleanty of Sprints in Greece!!!

Unless you have a red Sprint, there is no difference between '05-'06. Other than VIN

'07 made some cosmetic modifications, enough to tell.




Good Luck

 

[NikosR]

Update: The supposedly '06 ABS model at my dealer is manufactured 4/05. It has the 14mm MC installed. The dealer, actually they are the main importers for Greece, had never heard of the 5/8" MC issue nor had he heard of any issue with Sprint brakes!.

It took me some time, and a printout of the brake thread to convince them to call T in the UK. It took another couple of minutes to get authorisation to exchange the MC for a 5/8" under warranty should I decide to buy it. That was quick!

So indeed Triumph HQ do approve the MC exchange under warranty at least for the ABS bikes. No clue what happens if the bike is not under warranty.

Regarding the heatshields, I cannot tell for sure by visual inspection whether they are installed or not without taking the fairing off. It seems not. The dealer punched the bike's VIN in the computer and the heatshield part no. came up as supposedly there. He got no authorisation from T to install them for free in case they are not present!

I guess now I have to decide whether I by the bike (about Euro 1500 off list price) or I should wait for the '07 models (or get a Beemer).

I'm really worried about the reported rear suspension drag link bolt problem.

 

[AaronB]

Niko,

That is not an '06 model. My bike was manufactured the same month. April 2005!!!!!!

What kind of dealership is that? You tell him 3,000 euros off the sale price!!!!!

He is trying to sell you a two year old model!!!!!

 

[NikosR]

I'm totally confused about model years vs. manufacture years. My dealer has another ABS bike, manufactured 5/05, red colour. I thought red coloured ones are supposed to be '06 models? (the one I'm eyeing is a blue).

I'm sure that one model's years start being manufactured the year before, but in case where there are no obvious / published differences between two year's models how is one supposed to know?

Can anybody help with positive info about which manufacture dates are considered to be '06 models?

I hate to start asking for more discount based on the model year, only for the dealer to somehow prove to me the bike is really a '06 model.

Of course, as the manufacture date is well documented, I can always make a fuss about buying a bike that has been sitting in the showroom God knows how long regardless of the model year.

 

[AaronB]

The 10th digit of the VIN will be the model year....


Sorry I messed that up earlier
What's the VIN????

 

[NikosR]

The VIN has a '6' after a 'J' as the 10th or 11th digit if I recall. The dealer swears that this is the model year ('06). Nevertheless the stamp just above the VIN plate states April '05. The dealer says that is not the bike manufacture date but the frame manufacture date, but he's not sure.

He maintains the bike was imported in Greece directly from T UK in spring '06.

Regarding the price, the bike is (with side panniers included), 1K Euro cheaper than what it was middle of the year without the panniers. I'm trying to persuade him to throw in the TOR can for free as well. That's another 420 Euro over here.

(BTW. The stock screen on the bike has already bubbled up!. I guess this makes it a 'multi-bubble'? Does this tell us anything about the bike's vintage?)



[ This message was edited by: NikosR on 2006-11-09 23:34 ]

 

[playinthestreet]

Here in the US the dealer will have a "Manufacturers Statement of Origin" which is the document needed to make the initial title registration. It would show transfer of ownership from Triumph to the dealer but not be "title". I would think every country has a similar process. Simply have the dealer show you the MSO or its' equivelant and, regardless of manufacture date, it will indicate the model year. Early 06's do not have the factory heat kit.