[MrBeautiful]

I just picked up a slightly used (500 mile) 06 Sprint St at a great price and was thrilled.
Now I am starting to loose the thrill. While searching through thread archives for accessory information, I ran across threads covering the following quality issues.
1. Paint chipping, rubbing off fairing, tank, etc.
2. Paint bubbling on Aero windscreen.
2. Corrosion of metal parts
3. Rubber dry rot
4. Major Brake problems (Only read they were soft)
5. Fairing poor fit/mount bolts coming off.
6. Many others
Are these material/design quality problems endemic to Triumph/Sprint or are these isolated incidents?

Is there anything I can due to preserve/protect the paint, metal and rubber parts?

Got to be honest, thought I'd thoroughly researched the Sprint short-comings (excessive heat , poor panniers) but never came across these issues.
I did notice a rust stain on the coolant hose (could not find metal part that caused this).
Dealer threw in touch-up paint with the bike purchase which was a little odd. Are these signs of what's coming?

I've have a Yamaha and never had any of these issues.

Please let me know what your experience has been and what has worked to minimize these issues.
Hope I'm over-reacting, appreciate any feedback.

 

[DaveM]

Mrbeautiful,
you are over reacting.

Ride it!

There are problems with all mass produced vehicles.

Your Sprint is no different and not perfect, but overall you have an excellent machine for the purpose it was designed for.

There are far, far more Sprint owners out riding their machines and very happy with them than there are those who unload them because of a minor gripe.

These bikes have a very solid following.

My advice is stop worrying and start riding

DaveM

 

[BazzaST]

Sounds like a BB King song ditto what Dave said, just ride the sucker like you stole it.

 

[Dusty]

DaveM is on the money! That's the problem with forum chat. A huge pool of owners, a few of whom have problems; there may be some real issues surfacing but there's also a lot of noise which only amounts to small %ages. I've repeated forum concerns to non-forum Sprint owners (yes, they do exist!) and they think I'm talking nonsense! Sprints are among the best bikes available on the new and used markets. Enjoy!

 

[iceman]

ditto here.

Out of the problems that you have listed - I have only had the bubbling paint on the screen which has been replaced under warranty - no problem.

For the tank I put on a clear plastic film from www.thetankslapper.com Easy to put on and works very well.Scuffing of the sides of the tank isnt a 'Triumph specific' problem.

One drawback with forums like this is that rare problems can get a disproportionate amount of attention.

As Dave says there are a lot of very happy owners out there getting a lot of miles on - hope you also found a few 'happy threads' :-D

Grant

 

[Tankman]

Mate,
I have owned and ridden my 05 Sprint for over 12 months and I reckon it is the "ducks guts". Everything is fixable and a lot of the problems people are talking about are small ones. I love the Sprint and for me it does it all. Take the bike for a ride and you see what you think not what others think. I believe you will see that its good points far out way the bad ones. Give it a chance and you will find what a great bike the Sprint is.

Cya The Tankman

:upthumb: :upthumb: :upthumb:

 

[MrBeautiful]

Glad to hear the postive replies. I did ride the bike home from the dealer (60 miles) and was very impressed.

Would appreciate any other recommendations specifically to keep the metal parts from corroding and preserve the paint finish.
I want to keep this baby looking good for a long time.

Does anyone recommend/tried the Boshield metal corrosion protection stuff? Where can you get it?

What polish/wax is best to preserve paint?

Almost forget, it's now 2007, Happy New year to all !!! :hammer:

 

[Longpath]

Your real problem is not the bike at all...it's that you live in Chicago.


If you lived in a place you could actually RIDE the bike rather than look at in in the garage and pick it apart, you'd be too damned busy smiling to complain. I have one of the "oldest" late models here (an 05) with more miles than almost anyone (over 20k miles) and I dare you to search this place looking for my complaints. Yes the front brakes are lacking and yes the rubber mounts aren't very good and the metal oxidizes some, but it's not made of unobtanium, what did I expect? I can upgrade the brakes, and probably will, and will probably put a shiny new Ohlins suspension on it too one day, but geez!

If people would just RIDE them they would stop worrying about all these niggling bits entirely. I ride year-round...I put over 300 miles on just this past Thursday alone, and usually at least 400 every weekend lately if the weather's been good.

I'm not bitching because someone would have to peel the smile off my face first. The only real complaint I have is that it is raining today and I wanted to go out and hit the ton on New Year's and maybe a few twisties.

[ This message was edited by: Longpath on 2007-01-01 07:55 ]

 

[Thefallenone]

On 2007-01-01 07:54, Longpath wrote: The only real complaint I have is that it is raining today and I wanted to go out and hit the ton on New Year's and maybe a few twisties.

Is that all... Its been pissing it down and hail stoning in Plymouth this afternoon. I've been out and cleaned it but I can go out in this poor weather :???:

Kev

 

[Alsworld]

Man that bike is awesome!. But name any mass produced product and put it out there internationally, and then dedicate a forum for owners to talk about it. We will nitpick it to death, but defend a good product as easily if it's all worth it.

Bubbling paint windscreen will be replaced under warranty, as well as the rubber parts currently being complained about.

Corrosion really depends on the environments you ride through, or what the bike has been exposed to. I live in NW Florida near the ocean, and have yet to see any corrosion forming, nor paint chipping. Here, the heat and humidity are pretty harsh for anything metal. I hear up north in your area where the roads get salted are much worse on vehicles, hence my "environments you ride through" comment.

Brakes - some have been affected, some have not. Mine is a non ABS model and I have no problems. Others have provided solutions throughout this site. Better maintenance and cleaning around the brake calipers/pistons seems to be ticket generally.

I think you have formed a list based on every complaint listed against this bike (except the drag link bolt recall). Good research, but I think you can relax a bit. It really is a darn fine motorcycle, and you will easily enjoy it for many many miles.

Oh, and as for that rust stain on the coolant hose? That may be a residue of the preservative new Triumphs are shipped with. My dealer warned me not to freak out if when washing, I could see what appeared to be stains or leaking "oil" everywhere. Might be your stain cause.

Also, go easy on whatver you wash it with. Harsh soaps can streak the powder coat on the frame and wheels. My dealer recommended just dish soap and water, with a spray on type wax.

Enjoy that bike!

 

[SaddleTramp]

If you read the forums you'll come across every problem. You'll even come across rants about things that aren't problems. It's not YOUR problem unless you experience it with YOUR bike.

Imagine if a doctor became convinced he would eventually get every disease and condition he reads about in the journals and sees in his practice!

Relax, ride it, and enjoy it ... don't worry about other peoples' problems.

 

[mikey]

Mine a 01 RS is by far the best bike I've own so far. I got in to the Sprint from a friend who wanted another bike that was easier to sell. I traded my 97 Thunder Ace (YZF1000R)
and it was a hard decision for me.Since me and the Ace had a nice relation ship.I got her for a measly US$1200 since she'd been down.The bike shop owner gave me a one of deal since I've been going there for the past 11 years spending my $$
All in all the Ace was done up with R1 forks and my total was a sweet $1600 :-D
Jetted and piped with a full D/D it was bloody fast and LOUD.
Financially it was a sound deal my buddy proposed a 4 year newer bike with no cash and some nice parts for the Triumph.
It took me a while to get used to the complete difference in riding style,here with the Sprint I have buckets full of torque and it will go fast without revving it to the moon.
Now and then i still go for a ride with the Yamaha since my buddy still has it.I still get big smiles 3rd gear wheelies :lgh:
The other day i was offered a new trade from my buddy again but this time I will not trade again.
He's offered a ZX12 (2003) in boxes with a ZX10 engine and a beat up 86 gixxer 750.
Give your bike a chance buddy you'll be surprised how well it will do.The bike is a lot bigger than the FZ6 but once going it's not an issue.
I know the Triumph will make you a believer my oder one converted me :-D
Have an Awesome Happy New year
mikey

 

[ventur4th]

Boeshield is available at West Marine. Check their website for a location. You''l find them near the boating areas on the lakes.

 

[bakwheeltango]

I felt the same as you after I first got my bike ... I thought I bought into a safe haven.
but I agree with the fellas. visit any forum to do with any bike and you'll witness much of the same "noise"
take it all in but with a grain of salt... and then hope for the best.

Just ride it and hell... be happy you bought a bike that rips and looks like a million bucks.



[ This message was edited by: bakwheeltango on 2007-01-01 15:16 ]

 

[test-reg]

Dood you live in chicago, your bike is gonna decay waay faster than a bike here in california.. your weather is horrible. maybe you should move to a better climate if you aren't happy with how your bike is "aging"

--Kory

 

[VeedonFleece]

Dude... your going to have a long winter if these are the only thoughts you have about owning a ST. My bike is older but I must say, once you ride it and ride it a lot any minor hassels you have aren't as significant as sitting around worrying about them. Wait for a calm day up there in the windy city area, bundle up ( or get an electric vest) and ride baby ride. I'm in NY state and ride as long as there isn't ice on the road. Go for it and don't sweat the small stuff.

Congrats on your bike and good luck

 

[steventhechef]

FWIW they are forecasting possible rain here today.

Take heart, you have a great bike. My RS has given me more smiles than most things that I have been involved in.

My only complaint is that I don't get to ride it enough. That's with a RAT ride on Friday and a 2 hr jaunt on Monday.

:-D

 

[MrBeautiful]

Thanks for all the positive responses. Looking forward to the riding season.

 

[AaronB]

15k on mine and a few nickel and dime things, but very strong overall.

Have fun. Awesome choice

 

[Thefallenone]

On 2007-01-01 20:33, MrBeautiful wrote:
Thanks for all the positive responses. Looking forward to the riding season.

Sh#t dude, no bike is perfect. Take everything you read with a pinch of salt. Just get out and ride it, and enjoy!

Kev