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Tell me about a 1995 Sprint

5.5K views 10 replies 8 participants last post by  PeeWee  
G
#1 ·
Greetings, I've been making my rounds on this board for a few weeks now and have yet again added something else to my equation.

Quick background: I'm new to bikes and am looking for my first. I'm a big guy (6' 270pounds) and wish to find something that will carry me comfortably and safely. It's primary mission would be to lug me to work (50 miles one way mostly on highway), then it would have fun time on the back roads during the weekend.

The contenders by price:

I had my heart set on a bonnie T100 - gorgeous bike, looked like a perfect starter bike. But the price is pretty steep.

My next thought was a brand spanking new speed 4. Price isn't that bad, it looks cool, seems to be a great bargain for what you get. May not be exactly comfy (not sat on one yet).

Then I found a few BMW R1100R. They look very comfy. Adjustable seat and ABS a big plus for me. But to get them in the price range they will all be pushing 20-30k miles. Though I've read that they are drop dead reliable. Not exactly a pretty bike, but I can get past that.

Thinking I had it all narrowed down I come across a 1995 Triumph Sprint with 13k miles on it for $4k. But I don't know much about it. Aside from it's 900cc triple engine.

Can you folks help me out? Is this a comfy bike that a big guy can learn to ride on and keep for many years? Reliable? Stable? Fun?

TIA
 
#2 ·
For starters the 1995 sprint will be on the 'Vintage Sprint' discussion forum, as the 955 Sprints (ST/RS) weren't made until 1998 -99 or thereabouts.

However I used to own a 95 sprint, so I can give a brief answer...
The engine is lovely. sounds like mechanical mayhem, but is sweet, and the torque is lower down than on my current 2000 RS, and as such it is a nice 'lazy' bike to ride.
It is tall and heavy, and compared to the newer bike, and current sport/commuter bikes it will have a tendency to 'fall' into corners. i suspect a BMW will have the same, and it is easily controllable. I'm 6'2" andmanouvering it around (walking pace) was not a problem.
It is relatively softly sprung, and two up with luggage I scraped footpegs like I've not done on any other bike. Again controllable, and not a problem, but if you have sporty pretentions you will run out of ground clearance.

Reliability was not an issue for me - though it does benefit from regular carb-synch's - but other than that I did park it in the front of a Toyota before I managed to have any problems. From memory it had then done about 15000 miles, of which I probably did 3 - 4000.

If I were you I'd see if I could get a test ride, and see if the bike feels right for you. It's a great bike, and should serve you well if you enjoy the ride.

As for price I cannot comment on US levels, and will have to direct you to the Vintage site for more info.
 
#3 ·
Allow me to pipe off. With regular maintenance the Sprint 900 is a very reliable bike. I commute daily on mine and I have over 65,000 miles on her. I consider the Sprint 900 a really good looking workhorse.

As a big guy you'll appreciate the upright seating position. As a commuter you'll appreciate the decent wind protection, the super-sized tank (6.6 gals.) and the good gas mileage, around 40mpg, more if you're an easy rider. I get a consistant 38mpg but I consistantly flog the tar out of it.

And the Sprint 900's are a STEAL! I watch used bike prices and I haven't seen a used Sprint 900 get more than $4000. The average seems to be $2500-$3500.

It is true that it is a tall bike with a large tank so be carefull with slow speed turns. I'm 6' 200 lbs. and have no problems with the size of this bike. If you go the Sprint 900 route I'm sure you will have no problem handling it.

Did I mention that the Sprint 900 is fast and can cruise all day at 100mph?

j98sprint
 
#4 ·
The original Hinckley family of triples and fours were overbuilt, reliable, but a little big boned. The last one won't be a problem for you. I'd look at the maintenance records the prior owner has, and look closely at the bike for other clues of how she's been treated.
4 grand does seem a little high, even if it's perfect. That will nearly buy a nice 955 sprint, except for the one in my shop!
 
G
#5 ·
Thanks all for the great respones (sorry I posted in the wrong forum :whoops: ).

Can anyone point me to some internet sites that may have info for this bike? I've run a google search and came up fairly empty handed.

Thanks again!
 
#7 ·
Hi,

The Sprint is a great bike. All the T300 bikes are modular, have a backbone frame, and a great (noisy) 3 cylinder engine. The Triple engine is all about torque, and is very ridable. I think you will have to be a bit careful, as the Sprint is around 97 bhp (the T100 is 61 bhp).

My own opinion is that the T100 and S4 would be a bit lightweight/small for you. The Triples would be a bigger bike, and have the easy cruising power for your long commute. You mentioned "heart set on a bonnie T100", and can I ask if you have looked at the Thunderbird (or Legend)? This would have the look of the classic (aka bonnie), with all the advantages of the Triple, and perhaps is a good choice for you? (The Thunderbird is a slightly de-tuned "Sprint" engine, giving 70-80 bhp with much low down torque).

(For your information, I have both a Sprint and Thunderbird, and love them both. My mate has a new Bonnie, and misses the T-Bird he sold to me!).

Take a look at the Photo Albums, if you have not already. The Thunderbird may be the bike you are looking for?

(Sorry, I don't know much about BMWs to offer any advice).

Ciao, Geoff
 
#8 ·
I bought a 95 Sprint about a month ago. I absolutely love it. It's got all the power I'll ever need. It's extremely stable on the freeway; it doesn't get pushed around by the wind like my old Honda. As mentioned by some of the others it is a tall bike. Although I'm 5'8" with a 30" inseam it hasn't been a problem for me. The only time I notice it when I'm rocking it off the center stand. At six ft. you should have no problems. A couple of other things that may or may not appeal to you. It's relatively rare, you're not going to see the same bike coming at you every block or so. This also means that parts or dealers may not be readily available. You will also get a lot of attention from other drivers/riders. I constantly have people stop me and ask about it.
 
#9 ·
My '95 is an excellent machine for the $3000 price I paid. And I got her with only 9000 miles on the clock, which is just barely broke in in my opinion. I ride the piss out of her and she asks for more. It is a very good bike for windy days and inclement weather as well. The only mods I have done are a taller Zero Gravity Sport Tour windshield and flush mounted signals to replace the ones broken by the DS/PO. It replaced a Harley for me. As far as I am concerned, I will never go back to an HD. They are great bikes, but I couldn't trust them to cross the vast expanses of desert I must cross as a daily ride.

They cruise at 80 mph in 5th gear around 5000 rpm, and are smooth as can be.
 
#10 ·
The early Sprints are great bikes. I've owned two (96 and 98 Exec.) and my son owns a 98 Sport. We adjusted the valves on both at around 26K miles. I had three out of adjustment (just barely) and my son's had four. The later model ones get great mileage. (we get 50mpg most of the time) Suspension is a little soft and they're a little picky on tires. Yhe "fall into corners" thing is probably a mater of fitting another brand of tire. I prefer Avons or for inexpensive tires, the Conti Forces. Very neautral feeling. (the Azaro STs that my son has have gone 9000 miles!) Other than that they're pretty nice. I have a few hints on them at my site www.eurobikemaine.org if you need more info.
Mike
Now, when is Triumph going to give me something to replace my old Sprint with? Something about 80 lbs. lighter, 10 more HP, and styled like a 2003 Daytona with a half fairing.