Couple Of Sprint ST Aggravations

[Clive]

OK, let me state right off that I really, really like the motor, handling, and general ergonomics of my 2006 Sprint ST 1050.  But (and there's always a but) ... there are a couple things I don't like, and the dislike is more than trivial.  So great, in fact, that I'm contemplating replacing the Sprint with something else.    I thought I'd post here and see what suggestions people might have on the annoyances:

1. Headlight side-illumination.  It's abysmal.  The hard horizontal light cutoff is a great idea for cars, but it's just a terrible idea for bikes that lean.  The road surface in a curve is what I most need to see, yet that's the very place the Sprint provides the least illumination.  It's not a bulb issue, it's a reflector issue, so there's no ready part swap that cures it.  Re-aiming the low beams up and out will solve that problem but also point the low-beams into oncoming traffic.  HID replacement surgery is not an option, either.

2. Throttle snatch off-idle.  After closing the throttle to downshift for a tight corner (e.g. turning onto a side street), the throttle response is far from linear.  A very slight throttle turn gets nothing, but a little more gets power in a jolt.  When leaned over at slow speed, I don't need that crap.  I find myself dragging the rear brake so I can get on the throttle earlier.  Even then, though, I have to modulate the throttle and brake through the turn, which is more work than I should have to do when cornering (and way more work than I ever had to do with a normally carbureted bike).

If these two problems went away, I would be in motorcycle heaven -- the rest of the Sprint ST is everything I could ask for in a handle-whatever-I-ask-of-it bike, and my dealer is top-notch.

[roughcut]

With the motor running adust some of the play out of  cables. You have to leave abit of play, and you need to have the engine running when you do this operation. I have to agree that the sharp cut off on the headlights is not to my liking. I installed a set of PIAA 1100x lights with Martin fabrication mounts, and when they are on the lighting is superb. Hope this helps.

[Dobieman]

Cant help with the headlights but I would get Tuneboy for the throttle issues.
I have a 2006 S3 and in stock trim at small throttle openings it would surge or be "off" -  bothersome in tight twisties. I changed exhaust and downloaded a different tune and the rideability went up along with a noticeable gain in power and grunt.

  

[basco]

OK, let me state right off that I really, really like the motor, handling, and general ergonomics of my 2006 Sprint ST 1050.  But (and there's always a but) ... there are a couple things I don't like, and the dislike is more than trivial.  So great, in fact, that I'm contemplating replacing the Sprint with something else.    I thought I'd post here and see what suggestions people might have on the annoyances:

1. Headlight side-illumination.  It's abysmal.  The hard horizontal light cutoff is a great idea for cars, but it's just a terrible idea for bikes that lean.  The road surface in a curve is what I most need to see, yet that's the very place the Sprint provides the least illumination.  It's not a bulb issue, it's a reflector issue, so there's no ready part swap that cures it.  Re-aiming the low beams up and out will solve that problem but also point the low-beams into oncoming traffic.  HID replacement surgery is not an option, either.

2. Throttle snatch off-idle.  After closing the throttle to downshift for a tight corner (e.g. turning onto a side street), the throttle response is far from linear.  A very slight throttle turn gets nothing, but a little more gets power in a jolt.  When leaned over at slow speed, I don't need that crap.  I find myself dragging the rear brake so I can get on the throttle earlier.  Even then, though, I have to modulate the throttle and brake through the turn, which is more work than I should have to do when cornering (and way more work than I ever had to do with a normally carbureted bike).

If these two problems went away, I would be in motorcycle heaven -- the rest of the Sprint ST is everything I could ask for in a handle-whatever-I-ask-of-it bike, and my dealer is top-notch.

The headlight problem I think will always be there so I can't help you on that one.  I don't usually ride corners hard in the dark.

I don't have problems with the engine / throttle in the corners. Maybe its riding habits. I engine brake before the corner and /or rear brake depending on speed. Sometimes no rear brake at all but I make sure the RPM's are up there. I find I have that problem when I am tired and lazy to shift and be in the right gear before the turn.

[B-rent]

With the motor running adust some of the play out of  cables. You have to leave abit of play, and you need to have the engine running when you do this operation. I have to agree that the sharp cut off on the headlights is not to my liking. I installed a set of PIAA 1100x lights with Martin fabrication mounts, and when they are on the lighting is superb. Hope this helps.

I'd thought of doing just this Roughcut, getting the PIAAs. Glad to hear it worked out so well. I've also been very displeased at the sideways lighting of the +05 STs. It's downright scary in a sweeper at night and you can't see in front of you through the turn beyond 10 feet or so. Other than that, I think the lights are great.

I know what you're talking about with the throttle WellHeeled going into a tight corner. It's tough to get it right. I use a lot of engine braking in my riding and the ST has great engine braking. You might get onto your lower gear sooner and let the engine slow you down then accelerate through and out of the turn. You still have to be constantly thinking about the touchy throttle, but you'll no longer have to modulate between throttle, brake, and clutch if you're downshifting later than earlier.

[B-rent]

The headlight problem I think will always be there so I can't help you on that one.  I don't usually ride corners hard in the dark.

I don't have problems with the engine / throttle in the corners. Maybe its riding habits. I engine brake before the corner and /or rear brake depending on speed. Sometimes no rear brake at all but I make sure the RPM's are up there. I find I have that problem when I am tired and lazy to shift and be in the right gear before the turn.

Just saw your post Basco when I posted. Right on.    

[KSTriple]

Maybe its just me but after the TOR install and remap the on/off throttle transition seems much smoother.

[Alsworld]

synch the throttlebodies.  Helped quite a bit after break in.

[sammyseaman]

I'm also looking for a light fix so can't be of any help there. But the throttle snatchiness (is that even a word?) was just a matter of taking the play out of the throttle. Takes 5 minutes tops and took completely eliminated it. .

[Clive]

Thanks for the input.  Maybe I'm just getting sloppy re: putting the bike in the desired gear in time to be gently into the throttle before/as I lean the bike into the turn.  I had a few years away from motorcycles and have only been back riding for a year.  I'll check out the throttle cables, too.

The lights ... well, that one seems to stump people.  I don't carve at night, but even a rock or opossum in the middle of the road would be invisible until too late with the stock lights at sub-ludicrous speeds.

[Schneegz]

Would a set of wide-beam fog lights help?  

PIAA lights:

[sammyseaman]

Would a set of wide-beam fog lights help?  

PIAA lights:

I may have to look into a set of those.

[roughcut]

That is the set up I have and it is fully adjustable and makes a world of difference. Also hardly noticable on the bike.

[Curves-R-Us]

Roughcut,
Can you post a picture of them.  It looks like a much Cheaper option than motolights.  Also do you have an ABS, as I think the ABS mounting takes so room on the forks.  I don't know cause I won't pick up my Sprint unitl I get back from Afghanistan in a few weeks.  

/Jeff

[TheRedOnesAreFaster]

I don't think the ABS takes any more room, Curves-R-Us.

The only differences I can remember are the sensor, which mounts at the bottom of the fork, and the slotted disc.  And that disc is mounted to the wheel, not the fork.

So the ABS shouldn't present you with any problems no matter what lighting system you use.

[roughcut]

I'm trying to attach pictures.  

[roughcut]

Additional pictures.

[Clive]

I'm trying to attach pictures.

Do you have them mounted using one of the caliper bolts, strapped to the fork, or something else?

[roughcut]

My lights are mouted using the fender bolt location, that is the beauty of the Martin fabrication mounts. They are very discreet and I think would work and about any Triumph sport bike.

[KSTriple]

Does mounting them on the forks make the lights jittery from the forks bouncing up and down?