Sprint GT two up opinions

[Migolito]

I'm currently riding a T100, and usually 2 up. The boss likes riding so I'm looking for another bike that we can do multi-day rides with a lot more comfort. I was originally looking at the ST1300, however, the weight is just crazy imo. I've read a bunch on the various Sport Tourers and am leaning towards the Sprint GT. Unfortunately, most of the posts that review the GT (and most ST for that matter) neglect any extensive review of 2 up riding, other than maybe a short comment. I'd like to hear from owners of a GT that ride a lot of 2 up. Likes, dislikes,what would you change, add, etc.

[peacemaker24]

The Sprint's riding position is pretty thoroughly on the sporting side of the equation.  That sort of thing is tiring when riding one up, but moreso two up, IMO.  You may feel differently about it, but I'd be looking for a bit more upright as a two-up mount.  If the Triumph trips your trigger, then compare the Sprint to the Tiger.  Comfier ergos, smoother ride, similar performance, less plastic, same bags.  

Do ride one, though.  I was all set to love the Sprint when I test rode one.  Ergos weren't quite to my taste, but what really surprised me was how much I failed to dig the 1050 motor.  Nothing wrong with it, it makes numbers that would have been within shouting distance of the open-classers 15 years ago.  But the thing was so smooth, and the torque curve so flat that it didn't feel exciting.  Sounds strange, but was true.

~~~Jesse

[jpaul]

I've started looking for a bike for two up riding since my wife is interested in getting back on the bike after a 25 year break. When I took the Sprint GT for a test ride, I had her sit on the back to see if it was comfortable. There wasn't enough legroom for her, so the Sprint is unfortunately off my list. The most comfortable for her so far has been an ST1300, followed by the Futura, then the FJR. The BMW R1200RT had less room than any of them, which should save me several thousand bucks minimum. I haven't had her try a Goldwing, simply because I don't want a full boat tourer. Whatever you get is going to be a compromise; the extra weight of the ST1300 isn't going to mean as much, except at low speeds, or pushing it around the garage. I would be thinking about a Bandit if my next bike were just for one up, but I know the rear seat wouldn't be OK for her.

[danketchpel]

I really wish there was MUCH more attention paid to passenger accommodations in bike reviews. It can make or break the deal for many. I am in the market for a replacement for my airhead BMW and the passenger seating etc. is very important to me as I very much plan to be riding it two up a good portion of the time.

I spent a bit of time sitting in the passenger position on a few bikes in the showroom and I was rather surprised at how many of them are not that comfy just from a footpeg position or seat shape point of view.

Thanks for the feedback on the Sprint GT as it is one of the bikes I am considering.

It's important that my lady is happy back there as I want her to keep riding with me. But there is NO way it will be on a 2 wheeled couch, ie full boat touring rig like a Gold Wing or similar.

[ConPilot1]

One of my good friends I ride with all the time has a Sprint GT. He says it's NOT a 2 up bike.

I've ridden it once and it's an amazing motorcycle, a tad too sport-bikey for me, I'm more of a sit up and beg
rider. It would probably be good to go with bar risers for me.

I was amazed at the power and the lightweight feeling of the bike, it felt very planted and rock-solid.

[Rincewind]

That's really too bad to hear the negative press for the GT as a 2-up machine.  Triumph would certainly want you to think otherwise, per their marketing.  This review posted earlier noted a lack of foot space between the rider, passenger, and sidecases.  

[K2D2]

Honestly, I didn't notice much of a difference from the GT and my ST.  The passenger is lower which I'm sure handles nice (I rode one 1 up).

My wife likes the ST, we just need to stop ever hour or so for a leg stretch.

May end up with BMW at some point though.  My Dads RT is soooooooo nice.

[NoDak]

You should check out the new Trophy.  It looks promising.

[DFH]

That's really too bad to hear the negative press for the GT as a 2-up machine.  Triumph would certainly want you to think otherwise, per their marketing.  This review posted earlier noted a lack of foot space between the rider, passenger, and sidecases.  

doesn't look too bad to me... (btw the way that 2wf report was an amateur hour job...)

[Bryan217]

That picture makes it look pretty good for 2up. It definitely looks better than the ST with the stepped seat. I don't understand the stepped seat. They say it's due to the under-seat exhaust, but the seat on my VFR is about as flat as the GT, and the VFR has an under-seat exhaust.  

But back on topic, if I were looking for a decent sized (not Wing sized) bike for 2 up, I'd seriously consider the GT.

[Rincewind]

While the footspace looks good in that pic, it doesn't show the bike with the panniers.  If you look at the one official GT photo of the bike 2-up, the rider and passenger boots are touching.  I don't know how much this would bother me, but I'm sure it would be noticeable.

http://www.gtmotorcycles.com/graphics/cms/original/Sprint-GT_680.jpg

[Bryan217]

In that pic with the bags, it looks like the rider has the balls of his feet on the pegs (nothing wrong with that) and the passenger looks like she has her heels on the pegs. But it looks like there's plenty of room for her to move her feet back before hitting the bags.

On the VFR, my wife complains the bags push her feet more forward on the pegs, like in the GT picture. Without the bags on, she can move her feet around and change position if she so desires.

[ride200mi]

Ok so last weekend my GF and I were at the dealer, to pick up the Futura, and they had a Sprint GT. So the owner of the shop asked if I would like to ride it. But of course, its a very nice looking bike. And so off we go for about a half hour, not to many twisties but some good ones none the less. It's a really nice bike. Feels light and the power is very smooth. The Futura is getting pretty long in the tooth, and I'm feeling this will be the next replacement. The pass foot pegs are not an issue with us. She didn't touch any part of my leg and she didn't feel cramped. I just hope it will be as bullet proof as the Aprilia is... Any one actually own one of these? I'm 5'10" and she's 5'5".

[Croak]

Since the '99 955, these bikes have been very reliable overall, and this continues into the 1050.  Valves need to be checked but rarely need to be adjusted once out of the break-in period.  No "brown wire" types of issues.  Gearbox is solid.  The GT has all those years of Daytona/Sprint/Speed Triple/Tiger development and incremental improvements to benefit from.  

About the only issue that can be called chronic is a tendency for the motor to burn a bit of oil, and that seems to vary, based on location, use, and particular bike.  

[ride200mi]

Since the '99 955, these bikes have been very reliable overall, and this continues into the 1050.  Valves need to be checked but rarely need to be adjusted once out of the break-in period.  No "brown wire" types of issues.  Gearbox is solid.  The GT has all those years of Daytona/Sprint/Speed Triple/Tiger development and incremental improvements to benefit from.  

About the only issue that can be called chronic is a tendency for the motor to burn a bit of oil, and that seems to vary, based on location, use, and particular bike.  

Thanks, this bike is looking better all the time....

[Rincewind]

Any one actually own one of these?

Like Croak said, they are very reliable.  This bike is basically the same as the Sprint 1050's, which have been made since 2005 and are owned by MANY on this site.  They have a grey GT at the dealer that I have been leg-humping myself.

[ride200mi]

Like Croak said, they are very reliable.  This bike is basically the same as the Sprint 1050's, which have been made since 2005 and are owned by MANY on this site.  They have a grey GT at the dealer that I have been leg-humping myself.

Have you ridden it yet? And the silver color is the one I want also....

[Rincewind]

Have you ridden it yet? And the silver color is the one I want also....

Not the GT, but I have ridden the 1050 Sprint ST quite a few times.  My dealer lets me use his demo bikes for service loaners and I have selected the Sprint before, as well as using other Sprints for demo riding.  I like them quite a bit!

[Dan K]

I own an '06 Sprint with the bars from an '07 (higher) and I have ridden the GT.

They are VERY similar - the bigger GT feels more refined, not noticeably bigger or heavier, maybe even more responsive.  Brakes were better, handling may have been sharper, comfort and ergos seemed exactly the same.

Can't go wrong - very reliable bikes.

- Dan

[ride200mi]

The GT sure looks awesome too.... I just hope I can get it under $14K OTD.....