Any Sprint ST 955 owners out there ?

[cdm]

I'm going to bite the bullet and commit to a cross country jaunt next July or Sept 2012.

Just wondering if there are any other Sprint ST 955 owners out there who can give me advice on bike prep and set up to make the trip easier.

Any mechanical issues to take care of before leaving?

I have a 1999, 48K miles.  Bar risers, TOR tune, carbon can, Race Tech Front suspension, K and N air filter, all hard bags.
I have done 1800 mile trips with mostly camping and hotels.  Loaded up with the Helen 2wheels bags to carry the stuff.

Thanks, the prep part and dreaming will be half the fun.

Start point: Sacramento, CA  end  Washington DC

[stk0308]

After 143k miles between a 99 and an 02 Sprint ST I can't recall there being anything special to look after that wouldn't be regular on any other bike.  Make sure your on maint schedule.  Don't start a long tour like that 500 miles before an oil change and/or valve check interval    Maybe start out with fresh tires.  Bring chain lube and maybe a pint of oil, just in case.  But otherwise, enjoy the ride.

I guess if you expect to change tires you might have to pack a 46mm or 1 13/16", socket, and breaker bar, to take off the rear wheel.  If you end up not close a Triumph or Ducati dealer when needing a new rear tire.  Everything else is pretty strait forward, no special tools needed.  

[Croak]

MRA Vario windscreen, a throttle lock, and heated grips (even for a summer trip) come to mind.  And something to keep you sane when crossing the Plains.

Also pack the 46mm socket you need to remove the rear wheel because you will be doing at least one rear tire change on the trip and can't count on a Triumph shop being around when you need new shoes, it's not something a lot of non-Triumph shops have, nor is it something commonly stocked at Sears, etc.

Mechanically, besides the obvious oil/coolant/ignition stuff, check your bearings (wheels and steering head).  Give your chain daily love, and don't start with a worn one.

Other than that, it's a 1st-gen 955, pretty bulletproof if you don't count the tendency to use oil.

[Papa Lazarou]

check the fork seals.

[Playinthestreet]

Testicles, spectacles, wallet, watch.

[phaze5]

they do loose oil? mine seems to leak it? hard to say about it burning as it is usually on the frame and floor lol

[playinatwork]

Upgrade the lights.  The stock lighting is horrible for running at night.  Running roads that you don't know at night is an adventure with the stock lighting to say the least.
The bike has enough juice to power some sweet LED driving lights.  

[Brad1445]

I owned one. My only advice is buy the best helmet you can afford.  I tried three different windshields on that bike and never could get the wind away from my head. And wear earplugs.

[Flyer]

Testicles, spectacles, wallet, watch.

 
All a man really needs

+1 Rep point for my vicarious thrill at your attempt.  
Make sure you have current maps and info (updated software inna GPS) as the ring roads arounds DC are "fun".

[clyde]

Great bike that will go all day without breaking a sweat. Unless you get stuck in traffic when its 100 degrees, you'll see the temp gage rise accordingly and the fan will go on. So, make sure your coolant is squared away.

[cdm]

thanks for all the great advice.

Any idea why these bikes start to burn oil?

I can nurse mine for 750 to 1000 miles per quart.  

Thinking to look at valve guide seals when I check the valve clearances inthe near future.

[stk0308]

thanks for all the great advice.

Any idea why these bikes start to burn oil?

I can nurse mine for 750 to 1000 miles per quart.  

Thinking to look at valve guide seals when I check the valve clearances inthe near future.

On 1999-2001 Sprint STs, '99s in particular, there was some conjecture that the valve guide seals did harden up some.  I was particularly hard on my '99 but never had that much consumption.  YMMV of course.

[Papa Lazarou]

thanks for all the great advice.

Any idea why these bikes start to burn oil?

I can nurse mine for 750 to 1000 miles per quart.  

Thinking to look at valve guide seals when I check the valve clearances inthe near future.

some do, some don't.

[BBB]

Mine started to burn oil at 15000 miles and it was fixed under warranty.

Have you checked the rear hub to ensure the chain adjuster assembly is not seized up?

[bluedogok]

they do loose oil? mine seems to leak it? hard to say about it burning as it is usually on the frame and floor lol

I haven't had oil burning issues. I used to get oil on the bottom of the kickstand after it was parked, I had the chain adjusted too tight and it pinches the front sprocket seal allowing some to drip out. Re-adjusted the chain and it quit doing that.