Used bike market: pre-05 vs. post-05 Sprint ST

[MotoYoda]

I'm new to Triumphs and I've done some searches and I haven't seen much info on this:  If you were looking for a used Sprint ST, would you consider a 955i, or save up for a 1050?  It seems to be the consensus that the 1050 engine and other enhancements made in 2005 made for a better bike, maybe even a much better bike, but are the pre-'05's bad bikes?

Are there specific flaws in the 955/pre-2005 models that would be deal-breakers for you?  
How many of you have traded in your pre-05 for a post-05?

Locally there is a low mileage (under 9k) 1999 Sprint ST, and they are asking $4,999.  It's never been down, has all maintenance records etc.   Is this a bike worth considering?  There is also an '05 with about 9,500 miles for $7,895.  Similar mileage, similar condition, obviously one is six years older, but side-by-side, is the 05 model worth that much more?

[servicerifle]

They feel like different bikes completely.  I think the 05+ feels a little more updated, but the pre's have appeal too.  I think if it were me I'd look for a 2004 in the $5k-$6k range so I got the "freshest pre-05" I could get with the latest revisions and maps, or an 05 in the $7k range.  I bought my 05 with 6500 miles for $7500 IN 2005.  

[garry]

You can find a low mileage 2002-2004 (the previous gen) with luggage for under $5K if you shop around. That 1999 is way over priced IMO. The 2002 -2004 gen Sprint is a fine bike. There was a recall on the plastic quick-disconnect fuel fittings, but aside from that they're solid, reliable bikes. Many people put a one tooth smaller sprocket up front for more oomph. Forks are damper rod, not cartridge, but new springs and Race Tech emulators do wonders if you want a sportier ride. I had a Penske shock on mine that really helped.

[Rincewind]

It depends what your budget can allow.  The 955i Sprints are very good bikes and they can be had for a steal.  I would check the bluebook on that 99.  Personally I would cast a wider net and look for the latest Sprint ST that I can afford, 955i or 1050.  

Having ridden both, I would favor the 1050 as it feels lighter and has quicker handling.  The 955i in comparison feels more dense.

[Playinthestreet]

I've had a 99 and an 05.  Similar but many differences.  The 05 was surely quicker and sharper.  I think the 955 motor is stronger on the bottom however.  The 02-04 had some minor engine upgrades but, all in all, not much difference between the 99-01s.  For comparison I think there is a 99 for sale in STN classifieds for $3750 that looks like a good value to me.

[MotoYoda]

Thanks for all of the great information!

You can find a low mileage 2002-2004 (the previous gen) with luggage for under $5K if you shop around.

For me, this would probably mean shopping eBay or CycleTrader and being prepared to ship the bike.  I live in a small city - pop. 150,000.  The only big city in the state (Portland) is 100 miles away, the next city after that would be something like 600 miles away (we'd be talking Seattle to the north, San Francisco to the south)  That makes finding something "locally" that I can relatively easily look at a matter of luck -- it's totally hit or miss.  So, the local bikes are probably over priced, but the sellers know that it's buy these or be willing to travel/ship.  But you have my price range down, its under $5k.

The 2002 -2004 gen Sprint is a fine bike.

The 02-04 had some minor engine upgrades

My Triumph education continues...  so, apparently there were some updates between 01 and 02 models?  What flaws were the engine upgrades fixing and were there any other significant issues?

I'd look for a 2004 ... so ... I could get with the latest revisions and maps

Can the maps be updated on any bike by the dealership, or are you stuck with the program that the bike came with?  How bad were the mapping problems on the earlier bikes?

I've had a 99 and an 05.  Similar but many differences.  The 05 was surely quicker and sharper.  I think the 955 motor is stronger on the bottom however.

This kind of information is also very helpful!  

Were there any other evolutionary changes, like in the ergonomics or seating position?  I know in 07 they added the taller bars, acknowledging that riders were going longer distances -- but did the focus of the bikes comfort level or aggressiveness change anywhere else along the way?

Thanks again for sharing your wisdom with me!  

[wiseguy]

I had a 2003 ST (25K in 1 year - 5 months). Demoed the 05 for a few days while the 955 was in for warranty work. Did not feel the 05 was worth switching for. Better bike but not radically different.

On the older bikes there was a engine top end change I believe after 02. They went from shim over bucket to shim under bucket design. I got the wrong manual from the dealer at first so it was strange looking at the cam and valves going where are my buckets  

The new:
Bigger tank, better lights, narrower at the knees, great instrumentation, No passenger ass warmer, not a fan of undertail exhaust or the high mounted and smaller bags, smoother engine, really smooth transmission, spongy brakes, overall a better bike

The old:
Economical engine, lights with Sylvania SilverStars even better than 05, general engine heat but no bum warmers, bigger and better located bags (leaked), smooth engine and ok transmission, spongy brakes, still a great bike.

The one thing Triumph really did well is that you can update the map even on the older ones. Either the dealer can do it or you can get the TuneBoy software which is what I did (though I did not get the part for the maps, just the diagnostic and servicing part bike was stock except Sargent seat, GenMar rise, Double bubble, FuseBox, AutoCom, XM  )

Sadly I traded the Sprint on a Multi  

[roughcut]

The 02-04 sprint is a very good motorcycle, lower seat height, slightly bigger gas tank, better luggage. The 05 to present sprint is a great motorcycle, best triumph 3cyl yet, torque and top end. Sharper styling, more refined fueling. I really enjoyed the 03 I had, but the 05 i think is a better, faster, cooler machine.  

[Montyburns]

I was making a similar decsion about 8 months ago.  I liked the 955i but the 1050 was my dream bike.  Eventually I decided to pay a little more and get the 05.  I've never regretted that decision.  

[spineless]

...My Triumph education continues...  so, apparently there were some updates between 01 and 02 models?  What flaws were the engine upgrades fixing and were there any other significant issues?...

Go here:

http://www.triumphnet.com/

[MotoYoda]

Go here:
http://www.triumphnet.com/

Thanks, found that site recently...  great site and *exactly* what I'm looking for, as far as it goes, but they only have info through the 2004 models, so while they have the kind of info I'm looking for, it doesn't include the newest generation.  I hope they update it, that'd be awesome.

[MotoYoda]

I was making a similar decsion about 8 months ago.  I liked the 955i but the 1050 was my dream bike.  Eventually I decided to pay a little more and get the 05.  I've never regretted that decision.  

I hear you.  For me, saving up a few thousand more dollars would mean waiting until next summer to buy the bike (so far the prices I've been seeing between an '02-'04  vs. '05+ jump from $4-5k to $7-8k respectively).  Not the end of the world...  but... I really miss having a bike.  I'll try to be patient.

[Rincewind]

I'd get the 955i if you can afford it now and need a bike.  Definitely.  Unless you can swallow a small loan to cover the extra cost of the 1050, then I'd get that.

If you're looking for specs and stuff, scroll to the bottom of this page - http://www.hermys.com/triumph/ - and you'll see links to Triumphs of years past, back to 99.  If you're looking for reviews from years past, see http://mysite.mweb.co.za/residents/clasqm/triumph-archive.html

[Gaolee]

Thanks, found that site recently...  great site and *exactly* what I'm looking for, as far as it goes, but they only have info through the 2004 models, so while they have the kind of info I'm looking for, it doesn't include the newest generation.  I hope they update it, that'd be awesome.

The Sprint forum at http://www.triumphrat.net has people who will answer just about every question you can think of, and some you haven't thought of yet.  They have modified exhausts, fuel pressure regulators, experimented with mapping, suspensions, and just about everything else.  If there is a way to improve any year of Sprint, somebody probably knows about it, and if there are any problems, they will know the problem and also how to solve it.

[MotoYoda]

The Sprint forum at http://www.triumphrat.net has people who will answer just about every question you can think of...

Just registered over there, I'm sure I'll learn a lot from those guys.