Hey Y'all (yeah, I live in the Southern US),
I'm really interested in upgrading from my "starter" bike, a Suzuki GS500e. In particular, I'd like a less fatiguing ride (i.e. less vibration and better wind protection) and the ability to carry luggage. After a brief love affair with 5th gen Honda VFR's, spoiled by the lack of factory luggage, I'm now smitten with the '99-'04 Sprint ST. In particular, I like the '02 in BRG and I've found one. So here's my first post.
Today I drove the '02 Sprint. It's my first ever experience with a bike that's more substantial than my GS500. I have a couple concerns about the Sprint I would love your opinion on:
1. The Sprint feels totally ponderous. It felt very unstable at low speeds and too stable at high speeds. In contrast, my GS500 feels like a bicycle, which feels great. Will I get used to the Sprint quickly? I presume it felt so weird because of both the weight and a radically different steering geometry.
2. The GS500 is narrow and air-cooled. Today it was about 80 degrees here, and driving the GS500 was a dream (well, except for the lack of thrust and killer vibrations). In contrast, the damn Sprint dumped all kinds of hot air on my knees to the point that my legs were sweating mightily after only a 20 minute ride. Is it normal for these bigger, fully-faired bikes with water-cooled engines to generate so much heat (the engine temperature was normal on the gauge)?
I'm torn because the Sprint is beautiful and the price is almost too good to be true. But, I typically use my GS500 to bomb around back roads for an hour or so on the weekend when it's nice out. It's no good at any kind of distance, particularly on the freeway. Obviously the Sprint is, but the Sprint also seems less suited to the kind of riding I do most. I guess I'm wondering if the Sprint could change my habits--the beach and the mountains are only 3 hours away in opposite directions. Any thoughts?
Thanks,
S
P.S. Does anyone know if a Yoshimura exhaust for a Speed Triple of the same year will fit the Sprint?
I'm really interested in upgrading from my "starter" bike, a Suzuki GS500e. In particular, I'd like a less fatiguing ride (i.e. less vibration and better wind protection) and the ability to carry luggage. After a brief love affair with 5th gen Honda VFR's, spoiled by the lack of factory luggage, I'm now smitten with the '99-'04 Sprint ST. In particular, I like the '02 in BRG and I've found one. So here's my first post.
Today I drove the '02 Sprint. It's my first ever experience with a bike that's more substantial than my GS500. I have a couple concerns about the Sprint I would love your opinion on:
1. The Sprint feels totally ponderous. It felt very unstable at low speeds and too stable at high speeds. In contrast, my GS500 feels like a bicycle, which feels great. Will I get used to the Sprint quickly? I presume it felt so weird because of both the weight and a radically different steering geometry.
2. The GS500 is narrow and air-cooled. Today it was about 80 degrees here, and driving the GS500 was a dream (well, except for the lack of thrust and killer vibrations). In contrast, the damn Sprint dumped all kinds of hot air on my knees to the point that my legs were sweating mightily after only a 20 minute ride. Is it normal for these bigger, fully-faired bikes with water-cooled engines to generate so much heat (the engine temperature was normal on the gauge)?
I'm torn because the Sprint is beautiful and the price is almost too good to be true. But, I typically use my GS500 to bomb around back roads for an hour or so on the weekend when it's nice out. It's no good at any kind of distance, particularly on the freeway. Obviously the Sprint is, but the Sprint also seems less suited to the kind of riding I do most. I guess I'm wondering if the Sprint could change my habits--the beach and the mountains are only 3 hours away in opposite directions. Any thoughts?
Thanks,
S
P.S. Does anyone know if a Yoshimura exhaust for a Speed Triple of the same year will fit the Sprint?