[Gpzguy]

Hello,
I just signed up to learn more about a bike that's come (back) to my attention, the Sprint RS. I've always been an inline 4 fan but have dabbled with 6's (CBX), twins (SV1000) and singles (XR650l). Currently the main ride is my GPz 1100. Never tried a triple, so here I am. The RS looks like a nice all-a-rounder and they seem to be priced under the used ST's by a significant margin. I like being able to see the motor but appreciate some wind protection, so again, here I am. As I begin the search for a decent example, some questions.

It looks like the RS grew a single sided swingarm as it evolved, true? When?

Any real advantage to this in anyone's experience?

Were there any significant changes to the engine through time?

What year(s) was the Lucifer Orange color available (in the US).

Bottom line, the single biggest question is what year bike should I be going for? Any input appreciated.

Thanks,
Mark R

 

[Thefallenone]

Mark

I had a Lucifer Orange RS year 2000. Didn't realise how good it was till I sold it. 3 bikes later, and I am back on a black RS 2002. Like the 2002 better. The black engine looks better and produces 120 bhp as apposed to 110bph. I went looking for an ST but didn't like knocking my knees on the fairing. The RS feels much narrower like a twin. Great wind protection BTW. The RS was about £1000 cheaper. Don't know why but they are much better value. Nothing wrong with the conventional swinging arm. Single sider introduced for 1 year - 2004.

Kev

My 2000

My 2002

 

[vdlcinc]

On 2007-01-16 13:04, Gpzguy wrote:
It looks like the RS grew a single sided swingarm as it evolved, true? When?

Any real advantage to this in anyone's experience?

Were there any significant changes to the engine through time?

What year(s) was the Lucifer Orange color available (in the US).

Bottom line, the single biggest question is what year bike should I be going for? Any input appreciated.

1) True. 2004 only.

2) Mostly just the asthetics. But if you want to install an underseat exhaust you must have the SSSA.

3) 2002 - 2004 had the improved engine... I have a 2001 and have 84K happy miles on the old style engine.

4) As far as I can tell 2000 was the ONLY year that Lucifer Orange was available... http://www.hermys.com/triumph/

Good luck...

 

[steventhechef]

Welcome Gpzguy,

The RS is one of the best kept secrets.. why? I am not really sure.

I bought my 03 RS because of the value, perfomance and handling.

I wanted a sportier bike - clip ons etc and the RS fitted all of the catagories.

The 02 onwards is the better engine (HP and noise) and the DSSA (Double sided swing arm) "apparently" have a slightly better handling characteristic!! I am told. Is that right guys?

You can still do two up easily and it doesn't effect the handling. The Carbon off road can gives it another few ponies too.

IMO You won't be disappointed. They are really a fantastic allround bike.

Yellow is the fastest colour BTW :-D

[ This message was edited by: steventhechef on 2007-01-16 20:13 ]

 

[remlin1]

Is the riding position more aggressive than my 06 sprint st? There really good lookin bikes.

 

[thefly]

i haven't ridden an RS but the my 03 sprint is less aggressive (peg position) then my 07 imho (though i don't think i will need the seat or bar risers on the 07)

 

[rs_tt]

On 2007-01-16 20:29, remlin1 wrote:
Is the riding position more aggressive than my 06 sprint st? There really good lookin bikes.

yes the bars are further forward and about 2 inches lower than the pre 2005 St

[ This message was edited by: rs_tt on 2007-01-16 21:04 ]

 

[Milo]

Here's my '00 in Lucifer Orange. For a week every other year my brother and I do a tour. This picture was in front of Napoleon Dynamite's house in Preston, Idaho.

I love the thing. It's fast, economical (50mpg if I'm nice), comfortable with the added Genmar risers and unique. I do all of the mainainance myself except for the F.I. setting which I had done once and won't worry about it again until it obviously needs some attention.

There are some huge deals around, I love my '00 but the '02s are supposed to be nicer. I have no desire to "trade up".

Matt
I love my RS

 

[cbeddows]

On 2007-01-16 14:43, Thefallenone wrote:

I had a Lucifer Orange RS year 2000. Didn't realise how good it was till I sold it.


TheFallen One! I think I might have your Lucifer Orange bike now, going by your pic. At least it's the same rack, topbox & screen anyway. Was your reg Y388***? If not you can ignore me.....

Carl.

 

[jefftarlton]

I am really glad I bought my RS.
The SSSA was on the very limited production run '04 only.
'02-'04 bikes have a different head, larger airbox, more torque and hp, slightly improved shifting, but a smaller fuel tank.
'02-'04 bikes have shim under bucket valve adjustment which requires cam removal to change clearance.
There are several ways to raise the RS bars.
The ST had a centerstand. The RS did not.
Lucifer Orange is stunning in sunlight. It changes colors as you walk around the bike. It is the best color on the RS.
The dark yellow on stephenthechef's bike was available in the states on '00/'01 as "racing yellow'. After that the yellow was lighter and brighter and called "acidic yellow".
I get 51-54mpg on my stock exhaust '01.

 

[Thefallenone]

On 2007-01-17 05:58, cbeddows wrote:

On 2007-01-16 14:43, Thefallenone wrote:

I had a Lucifer Orange RS year 2000. Didn't realise how good it was till I sold it.


TheFallen One! I think I might have your Lucifer Orange bike now, going by your pic. At least it's the same rack, topbox & screen anyway. Was your reg Y388***? If not you can ignore me.....

Carl.

Close. but no cigar. My RS was W109JVV. Anybody on here have it?

Kev

 

[steventhechef]

On 2007-01-17 11:04, jefftarlton wrote:
I am really glad I bought my RS.
The dark yellow on stephenthechef's bike was available in the states on '00/'01 as "racing yellow'. After that the yellow was lighter and brighter and called "acidic yellow".

jeff, I thought that mine was the acidic yellow TBH. It is an 03 model?? Am I wrong?

Is there a paint code somewhere?

I am sooo pleased with mine (whatever the colour). My main concern is that once this RS gets too long in the tooth, what am I going to buy that would compare to the performance and value!!!

 

[Guest]

this is my first street bike
but I can tell you...I have had it for less than 6 months, and have already been offered to make all my money back on atleast 2 occasions.

 

[Thefallenone]

They are not too popular in the UK especially since Triumph stopped making them. The stealers off rubbish trade in values which makes it bad when you sell but cheap when you buy :-D

I thought I was bored with my Lucifer orange but having tried many bikes I am back on one again. This is a bike for the real world. Its fast enough, very comfy and will scratch, tour, trackday, or whatever. Do we really need the 146 different suspension settings like the very latest R1/6 as I never adjust mine anyway?

Its just a solid, grunty bike with plenty of character.

Kev

 

[jefftarlton]

Steven, it might just be my monitor. BananaRS looks about the same color as mine here and it's a stateside bike.

One of the few gripes I have about the RS is the mirrors. I have to pull an elbow in to see anything behind me.
I got tired of messing with the front calipers and swapped some six pistons tokicos on.
I'd like GSXR suspension on mine.
Thousand mile days, track days, commuting-the sprint does it all. It also handles pretty well two up.

[ This message was edited by: jefftarlton on 2007-01-18 01:48 ]

 

[Haggis]

I have the 2000RS in lucifer orange too.
Fell in love the moment I saw her. The colour is gorgeous.
I swapped out the suspension - fork internals and new penske rear shock - it made a huge difference.
I've never had a problem with the front brake.
With the smaller front sprocket and triumph ss race can she's pretty quick too - and rock solid at highly illegal speeds!
I'm never far behind my buddy on his 04 Daytona. :-D
I was thinking of the new Tiger - but spec wise and ride wise I don't think it would offer anything much different that the RS, except for maybe a more upright seating position.

I am looking at a Voctory 8ball as a second bike to ride with the herd though!

 

[Guest]

On 2007-01-18 01:37, jefftarlton wrote:
Steven, it might just be my monitor. BananaRS looks about the same color as mine here and it's a stateside bike.

One of the few gripes I have about the RS is the mirrors. I have to pull an elbow in to see anything behind me.
I got tired of messing with the front calipers and swapped some six pistons tokicos on.
I'd like GSXR suspension on mine.
Thousand mile days, track days, commuting-the sprint does it all. It also handles pretty well two up.

I find the mirrors very hard as well.
I am 6ft 6in and 350 lbs (yea...I look like a gorilla ***** a banana going down the road)
but I still have a hard time seing myself on anything other than the RS
maybe a RIII or switching to something like a FJR1300?

 

[mdgore]

The newer engine is better, but the black frame of the older RS's looks nicer, IMHO. I couldn't get rid of my RS, it just does everything and I would never get for it what it's worth to me. The problem is that after being on the D650, and then riding the RS, I tend to scrape the pegs. I have a center stand on mine which doesn't help the situation. I also put a top box (you'll need the back rack), along with the genmar risers. Other than that, it's stock and I don't think it needs anything else. You won't be disappointed.

 

[DaveM]

As the regulars here already know I ride a caspian blue Sprint ST.

I have a model of an RS on my Tv in the Orange colour though.

As much as I love my Sprint and I really do, I have always had a soft spot for the RS, I think they are a very handsome machine, I like the half fairingand the black mill looks cool.

I have had my Sprint for 2 years since it was new and I have also not had a front brake problem apart from slight spongeyness at times, but they have always worked very well.

Gpzguy, since the bike is essentially the same in most respects to a Sprint, I can highly recommend them as a very reliable and extremely competant all rounder with heaps of charcter that can be pushed very hard if you so desire.

These machines can do most things very well and are a heap of fun.

DaveM

 

[silvoor]

Watch ebay. It is one of the best looking bikes ever made but apparaently did not sell at all well. A couple of years ago you could get new leftovers for +/- $7000.