Good morning, I've joined the forum because I'm loving the look and sound of the Sprint ST1050. I currently ride a lovely 2002 Honda CBR600F4 Sport, having wanted a 600 sports bike when I was first into bikes several decades ago. It has been everything I wanted it to be but I'd love something with a bit more torque and some luggage space. Over the course of the winter, I've also been renovating a 1998 CBR600 F3 that I bought as a non runner that had been sitting around for a few years. It's now running nicely and I'm dealing with cosmetic improvements that will hopefully attract a new owner. Once the F3 is ready, the plan is to sell both bikes and hopefully raise the funds I'll need for an ST1050. In the meantime, I'll look to absorb knowledge here.
Superb bike, only problem now is their age, I guess. Buy a red one. They're the fastest, and I have a Bagster tank jacket that will fit
As the owner of a 2011 Sprint GT 1050, I have really enjoyed the bike (it now has 42k miles on the clock). The longer wheelbase of the GT provides a bit more room for my pillion (my wife rides along more often than not). The power and responsiveness, as well as the ABS have been terrific for my applications. I have added a slightly taller Zero Gravity windscreen, but you are still in the wind, albeit with less pressure on your chest. Came in handy at 115mph (top speed per Triumph is 142). I do find the crouched leg position a bit uncomfortable on longer days, though, as my left knee can be a bit tricky. I added a 25mm riser to the handlebars and modified some Buell drop footpegs to give me another 25 mm of leg room. I find this a better position. And the hard cases are wonderfully useful (I take it grocery shopping). I have had some issues with finding neutral occasionally. And, occassionally, if I rev the engine at takeoff (I have to exit the valley in which I live from a steeply inclined road, onto a perpendicular road that is also at quite an angle), the tranny will resist shifting out of first, requiring that I keep pressure on the shifter while releasing the clutch, and the shift comes at the last moment. The issue completely subsides after 2-3 minutes and fluids warm up a bit more. That said, I have recently purchased a 2013 Trophy SE. Although still a "sport tourer", it is virtually an upright riding position and my footpegs are well ahead of my hips; almost a cruiser riding position. The adjustable windscreen is the best of its era (better than the BMW 1600 GT to which it was compared). I haven't got the feel of it yet to push it in the corners, but it is superb for a long day riding. The Sprint is much more familiar, and therefore, much easier to press into the corners. What kind of performance are you looking for?
The ST1050 is a great bike, whether for touring or just general riding. There's a group test of great value sports tourers in this week's edition of MCN - the ST1050, a VFR800Fi and a Suzuki GSX1250FA. Of the three, MCN reckon the ST1050 is the best, just ahead of the VFR. I've got a 2010 ST1050 at the moment, it's got just 12k on the clock and had just one owner before me. I had intended to keep it for years but my advancing years (I'm now 73) and a back problem are sadly forcing me to sell it so I'll put it up for sale early next month once it's been serviced and got a fresh MoT cert. A relative youngster like yourself should have no problems with it! I'll put an ad in the For Sale section of this forum, if you're interested please contact me.
Sorry to hear of the sale. Perhaps you would consider a convertible car to get a little wind in your hair? ha, ha I'm 62, and two bikes is really more than I need. I'm sure that someone will be delighted to purchase yours. Best of luck!
Not a lot of hair left as well! The problem is my Sprint shares a garage with four other Trumpets - an 865cc T100, a 1200 Speed Twin, a Street Triple 675 and an old Legend TT 885 - so some of them don't get taken out often enough. But the Sprint is the only one that has been exacerbating my back problem so sadly it will have to go. I've had the rear lowered by 40mm to give me a slightly more upright riding position but to no avail, my old back still complains after a few miles. It's a pity, but I don't want to knacker my back to the extent that I can't ride any of my bikes!
Hi Hairsy, welcome to the forum! Pacific Blue ST's are the fastest don't let anyone tell you otherwise!...oh, & there's a very nice one in the classifieds btw John.