Looking for Bad Influences and Sprint 955 feedback

[Pitts2112]

I'm thinking about acting in a totally irresponsible manner and just need some total strangers to give me the little bit of rationalization I need to push me over the edge.  I'm looking to buy a very second hand bike as a morale boost to an extended period of unemployment (2 years plus).  I've been living like a college student, took a huge hit in a divorce, and am fed up with everything in life working against me.  I'm thinking a bike might help shift my frame of mind more to the positive and put me in a better place to keep going in the job search.  But it feels irresponsible to buy a toy like that while I don't have a job.  

I'm thinking about a second hand bike I can get for about $2K give or take.  I've had my eye on the Sprint ST for a long time and, as soon as I do get a job, I'm going to get a recent model.  But, in the meantime, I'm looking at 99-01 or so 955s as just something to get me out on two wheels and put the smile back on my face.   I like the Sprint because it's got good cornering performance but I can put some clothes in the bags and bugger off somewhere for the weekend.

So, two questions:

1.  How are Sprints of that age?  Decent performance?  Likely to be in good shape or come with known design defects?  
2.  What other bikes might meet the requirements of being cheap but reliable with good performance?

Any advice, lectures, etc are welcome.  

[GerryPetrecca]

I'm thinking about acting in a totally irresponsible manner and just need some total strangers to give me the little bit of rationalization I need to push me over the edge.  I'm looking to buy a very second hand bike as a morale boost to an extended period of unemployment (2 years plus).  I've been living like a college student, took a huge hit in a divorce, and am fed up with everything in life working against me.  I'm thinking a bike might help shift my frame of mind more to the positive and put me in a better place to keep going in the job search.  But it feels irresponsible to buy a toy like that while I don't have a job.  

I'm thinking about a second hand bike I can get for about $2K give or take.  I've had my eye on the Sprint ST for a long time and, as soon as I do get a job, I'm going to get a recent model.  But, in the meantime, I'm looking at 99-01 or so 955s as just something to get me out on two wheels and put the smile back on my face.   I like the Sprint because it's got good cornering performance but I can put some clothes in the bags and bugger off somewhere for the weekend.

So, two questions:

1.  How are Sprints of that age?  Decent performance?  Likely to be in good shape or come with known design defects?  
2.  What other bikes might meet the requirements of being cheap but reliable with good performance?

Any advice, lectures, etc are welcome.  

Greetings.  Where are you located?

I'm the happy owner of a 2001 Sprint ST and I totally love the bike.  I'm currently 63 yrs old and I'm not a stunter, or ricky racer wanna be.  It's a perfect fit for the type of riding I do....commutes to work. charity rides, day trips, extended weekend trips, week long trips.

More than enough power/torque.  Love the 6th gear for highway riding.

How many miles on the bike you're looking at?

There was a fuel fitting recall and hopefully the Previous Owner took care of that.


99 -01's can sound a bit noisy at idle but once you're  running through  the gears that  triple has such a seductive sound, especially if the stock can has been replaced.

Additionally you can find a lot of info on www.triumphrat.net.  Go to the Sport Touring forum.

Other bikes you can look at are older Yammy FZ 1's, kawi ZR-7S (my previous bike), Honda Nighthawk 750, Ninja 500, pre '05 ZZR 600, Katana 600 or 750, etc, etc.

I'm sure other members will have other suggestions for you.

Best of luck to you.

Regards,

Gerry

[garry]

Sprints were upgraded a bit in 2002, so the 2002 - 2004 generation is a little more desirable. That said, there's nothing wrong with the gen before that either. Aside from the Triumph-wide fuel quick-disconnect replacement, there were a few recalls (clutch cable? swingarm bearings?). I put 43K+ on my 2002 Sprint RS over 3 years. Fun, solid bike. It's still going strong (see in the parking lot at work).

Similar (to the RS, semi-naked) inexpensive bikes would include first-gen FZ1s and the Suzuki Bandit 1200.

[Mr.Black]

Not the bike you mentioned, but........

Look here.

As for bad influence, stand by.



You deserve a bike.

No matter what you decide, life is to short not to ride if that's what you want.

Use your sick time.

Use your vacation time.

When you die, die in debt.

Eat more bacon.

[coolie569]

I just acquired my 2000 Sprint ST at the end of last season. I've only gotten to ride it about 5 or six times since getting it. But every time I do I have a grin that last long after I get off the bike. Not sure what your previous experience is but my only complaint is that it can be a little heavy and cumbersome at slow speeds.

It is extremely comfortable, with plenty of power thru all gears. Whatever year you get inquire with the previous owner about scheduled maintenance. I just took my bike to the dealer to get the 12,000 mile service I got a good deal at $350.00 but i've heard of some people paying as much as $500 to $700. But hey if you do your own service then that is null and void.

The other thing to consider is plastics for the Sprint cost an arm and a leg. So take that into consideration if you acquire a bike that may need some new plastics.

Otherwise go get that Sprint you won't be disappointed.

[MadOzodi]

I like how Mr. Black thinks, so...DOOO EEEEET!!!

 

[Pitts2112]

Thanks for the input so far, guys.  I'm getting closer to that trigger-pull!!

Mr. Black, that's a pretty nice looking bike and the write-ups seem to say it's a good one.  It's also led me to look at the Suzuki GSX 600 or 750.  Thanks for the tip!

Shawn

[GerryPetrecca]

Not the bike you mentioned, but........

Look here.

That Bandit is a sweet bike and I know that one personally as I have ridden with the owner.

Gerry

[GerryPetrecca]

I just acquired my 2000 Sprint ST at the end of last season. I've only gotten to ride it about 5 or six times since getting it. But every time I do I have a grin that last long after I get off the bike.

Otherwise go get that Sprint you won't be disappointed.

   

Coolie, where are you located?

[Playinthestreet]

I've had 3 955 Sprints and have no complaints.  Actually prefer them to the 1050.  Not the best at any one aspect, but a very good all around bike.  

[Pitts2112]

Had a chance to briefly sit on a Bandit this afternoon.  Strictly from an ergonomics point of view, I could see how that bike could be a good contender.

I also so a used Suzuki GSX 600 and I don't think that's going to be the bike for me.  It's a good looking bike but it looks huge and the riding position is a bit too far forward for me.

I also sat on late model Honda VFR and Interceptor.  Both nice bikes, but I'm not in the market for a new one just yet.  And I hear the VFR is good overall back lacks soul and character.

So, it's still looking like it's between a Bandit or a Sprint 955.  This is, of course, if I do decide to throw away my normal responsible side and do it.  

[pushr0d]

Not that I'm an 'Enabler' or anything, but this site will help you with your search:

www.jaxed.com/cgi-bin/mash.cgi?cat=cpmoto

Tally-ho!


Make sure to budget for proper safety gear!

[Pitts2112]

Thanks, Push.  Been all over that site looking for Sprints and now Bandits, and anything else in the area (Mass) that looks like a good option.

Already have the safety gear.  I rode a Harley for a couple of years.  It's all in transit at the moment, though, and should be with me by the end of April. It's getting loaded on a ship tomorrow, in fact.  

Riding a Sprint may look a little funny in chaps and engineer boots but, while there's a spending freeze in this house, I'm going with what I've already got.  When the job shows up, I'm going for a late model Sprint and a new Triumph leather jacket!!  (and a Union Jack helmet, if I can find one)

[crispiegee1]

As long as you don't owe child support or money to your ex-wife or family, a bike MIGHT be a great motivator to get off your ass and find work. Although, assuming you've been living on unemployment for the past two years, you might get the bike and STILL not get work, so in that case it's pretty dumb.

I will relate a personal story: When I found my vintage bike, I said, "Well, if work slows down, I can always sell it and get the money out of it." (I'm one of those people who works for myself rather than living on the dole.) Instead, I found new inspiration to work hard, because I finally found a Moto Guzzi Eldorado in decent condition and I was determined not to lose it.

So it can work for you or against you, depending on how responsible or irresponsible you are. Then again, you might want to spend $20 for a book on motivation and success (maybe try John Asrath... my one friend recommends him highly), and work toward achieving some goals before you reward yourself.

I once heard a saying that life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you respond to that. Live like a winner, my friend.

[Pitts2112]

Crisp,
You're more than welcome to keep your lecture, and your judgmental assumptions about my financial situation, motivation to work, or ability to find it, to yourself.

[crispiegee1]

You asked in a public forum. Sorry if you disliked it. Maybe someday when you've matured, you'll appreciate that someone put more thought into their post than "Just do it!"

[crispiegee1]

Looking back at it a second time, I was a bit condescending... sorry for that if I misjudged. If you don't owe money to anyone else, feel free to do with your own what you feel like. Having dated a family court lawyer, I know a lot of stories where guys won't man up to their responsibilities but instead spend money on themselves, so I admit its the first thing I think of.

Like I said, my poor decision was a motivator: Once I got the bike, I was going to do anything to hang on to it, so I strived harder. It could have easily gone the other way, though, in which the absence of money needed for basic necessities would have made life miserable. I'm a classic spender-of-money-before-I-have-it, and the resulting heartburn is never worth it.

Just trying to provide food for thought.    

[Pitts2112]

Crisp,
Thanks for the apology.  You did make some pretty negative assumptions about me, none of which, by the way, actually apply.  A bit of good-natured banter I'm all up for.  Your post ventured into character attack territory.

Now, back to the topic.  I'm going to look at a bike tomorrow.  Since running the numbers I realised I can do this pretty cheaply so, if the bike looks and feels good, I will probably go for it.

Stay tuned!