Another best ST thread....

[Dan K]

OK, I've now become fairly good friends with my '06 Sprint, having put on about 2800 miles since March with a few 400 mile+ round trips to  MIchigan.  I've also ridden good miles on an '09 FJR and Connie, FZ1's, 1200GS's, K1300S's, what else fits ST's....Benelli Tre-K's...short miles on a VFR and a 1300ST, a parking lot on a V-Strom 1000...

And I have come to the conclusion that the Sprint, with limited issues in the feature department, is the best overall production fully faired SPORT-touring bike.  

Is there anyone out there with significant miles on the Sprint and experience with the competition that disagrees?

I love the K1300S and the adjustable suspension on the fly (that is an AWESOME feature) but it's a big, heavy bike, and for plain old handling and comfort for touring on twisty roads at high speed, I think the Sprint wins.  Not sure what the new Sprint GT will bring to the table, but I can say that the Connies and FJR's (which I really enjoyed) are just too big to be truly SPORT-tourers - they are more aptly sport-tourers with no emphasis either way (in my humble opinion).  Took much more work to speed through twistier bits of Colorado than the Sprint would have.  I've never taken the Sprint out of the midwest, but I have taken it to the track, and it would mop the floor with the FJR/Connie crowd.

Only objective issue with the Sprint is that the ergos are clearly more sporty than the other bikes listed above (except for maybe the VFR)

I'm thinking the Sprint (assuming I can account for the heat issues - hot shins, but I need a heat kit installed) is going to keep its place in my garage for a long time for my everyday commuting / touring bike.

If you have significant miles on the Sprint and experience with multiple bikes in the ST genre, let me know your opinons.  I'm wondering why the Sprint isn't more popular in the ST crowd.

- Dan

[Sport-Touring]

[scottzilla]

Well, the the caveot "Fully faired" eliminates the Multistrada which I believe is in fact the "Best" sport tourer.
The recent ride reports on the improved Sprint seem to tout it as the best sport bike amongst the large bagged sport-tourers available.  

[Powder Addict]

I had an 01 Sprint that I put about 20K on.  I LOVED that bike.  

I'm 200+ miles from the nearest dealer, and it just wasn't cost effective for the riding I was doing on it (I had a kid so my dreams of more than a weekend ride were no longer in my short term plans and it was just used for commuting), so I downsized to my current bike, a Ninja 650r.

If/When I'm back in the market for a bike in that "genre", I'd buy a Sprint again in a heartbeat.  I loved the triple engine, the ergos, everything about it.

[Dan K]

Haven't heard or read anything bad about Sprint's at all.

SPRINT 1050 ST's with ABS ARE THE BEST ST MADE.   PERIOD.  BAR NONE.

Disagree?  You're wrong.

- Dan










maybe that will get some discussion rolling....

[wibornz]

I believe it is the rider 1st the bike 2nd.  I believe that your floor could be mopped by many on an fjr or the c14.  The ST is down on power.  Just because it feels fast does not mean it is fast.  The fjr and the c14 is faster and with competent rider.  Your ST will just watch the fjr the c14 and the vfr roll off into the distance.  You see the problem with your arguement is there is just not sufficient real world curvy roads for you to take advantage of your handling. Let alone if you have to ride 500 miles to get to them first.  IE that is why you do not see the your bike ridden in the iron butt rallies.  

[Smoker]

having put on about 2800 miles since March with a few 400 mile+ round trips to  MIchigan.  

First of all, you're a troll.  

Second, do 4, 5, 600 miles a day for 3 weeks straight with a pillion on your Sprint and then tell me how good it is. (For you and your pillion.)

Third, give me your Tuono.

[Mastros2]

Third, give me your Tuono.

Haha!

[Dan K]

Now we're getting somewhere.  Yes, FJR and Connie faster in straights and yes there are not sufficient twisties ay least anywhere near me for the Sprint to utilize its handling advantage. And all comparisons (at least made by me) are assuming riders of equal skill.  

My wife won't ride at all, and I only give guys rides in timw of need, so not often do I have a pillion.

I'm just reallu enjoying this bike and after taking it to the track, it really has huge advantages in major twisties.

Seems under represented is all. Want to hear how people with experience on the Sprint compare it to other bikes they know well.

I'm no JustCallMeChris, but I'm always looking for the next bike.

-Dan

[HipGnosis]

I'm really happy for you that you found a bike you're really happy with for the kind of riding you really do.  I really am.

While I've really had my fill of 'My bike is best...' posts, I find it interesting that everyone that musters up a challenge has to use a contingency to do so.

[Lawn Dart]

SPRINT 1050 ST's with ABS ARE THE BEST ST MADE.   PERIOD.  BAR NONE.

- Dan

Front forks are soft as all f*ck off.

And it doesn't have an overpriced roundel on it.

There, I said it.  It's not the best.  Talk about that.  

 

[Dan K]

I know it's not the best. I bought it because I couldn't afford a K1200S (after riding a K1300S - I love that bike). I want to know what's comparable to decide if I should keep it. It cooks my legs and isn't quite fast enough. It is missing all kinds of features and has soft front forks (which springs and different fork oil should fix....). If the available heat kit reduces the hotlegs, I may keep it simply based on bang for the $$$.

Not the best, but  it is a great bike.

-Dan

[birdrunner]

a Sprint was my second choice in rides,   I got my first choice.

If I wanted a touring bike, I'd get a Road King or a FJR.  

[JonS]

Haven't heard or read anything bad about Sprint's at all.

SPRINT 1050 ST's with ABS ARE THE BEST ST MADE.   PERIOD.  BAR NONE.

Disagree?  You're wrong.

- Dan












maybe that will get some discussion rolling....

When I bought the old Multistrada, the Sprint was my second choice. I've never regretted my decision. I saw a Sprint pull out of a gas station last week, all loaded down STN style. It looked and sounded great!
Still, if I was shopping, it would be another MTS. They are close to perfect sport tourers.

[sammyseaman]

First of all, you're a troll.  

Second, do 4, 5, 600 miles a day for 3 weeks straight with a pillion on your Sprint and then tell me how good it is. (For you and your pillion.)

Third, give me your Tuono.

That's what surprised me. Me and my wife (ex now) took a number of these trips and she loved the pillion. I loved the fact she could look over me with the tall tail section.
I really like my Sprint. Is it the best? Very subjective but with the exception of the suspension and front brakes it's very sporty, comfy, has character, and looks really purty.

[Rincewind]

I have ridden a Sprint 955 (used model that I tested) and 1050 (dealer demo that I brought home).   Nice bikes, love the engines, but I'm not a huge fan of them.  My preference for a fully-faired sport-tourer is the Ducati ST3S.  Getting off the Duc was like dismounting a Ferrari.

[sammyseaman]

I have ridden a Sprint 955 (used model that I tested) and 1050 (dealer demo that I brought home).   Nice bikes, love the engines, but I'm not a huge fan of them.  My preference for a fully-faired sport-tourer is the Ducati ST3S.  Getting off the Duc was like dismounting a Ferrari.

  That bike pushed all my buttons  

[akahige]

I love my 955 Sprint ST. Sure, it's not very powerful and it's heavy and the suspension is soft, but it's quite comfortable and sporty enough for street riding.

[Smoker]

SPRINT 1050 ST's with ABS ARE THE BEST ST MADE.   PERIOD.  BAR NONE.
- Dan

 Not the best, but  it is a great bike.
-Dan

Geez, make up your mind already.  

[Mastros2]

I will agree with you on one point, my next bike is out there somewhere.  

There are too many variables for me to choose "the best" bike.  This year I like sport riding, last year I was into the adventure bikes and a few years ago I had a cruiser.  Scottzilla's threads regarding his klr has me thinking of a dual sport now.  

I believe that there isn't the "best bike", not even "best bike for me".  There is just what I like now, what I can compare it to in the past and what are my current riding interests.  Tomorrow, some manufacturer will release a bike that will have me thinking, "hmmm, that will fit me."  

Motorcycling is evil but I'm trying my hardest to keep this economy rolling!

[scottzilla]

I will agree with you on one point, my next bike is out there somewhere.  

There are too many variables for me to choose "the best" bike.  This year I like sport riding, last year I was into the adventure bikes and a few years ago I had a cruiser.  Scottzilla's threads regarding his klr has me thinking of a dual sport now.  

I believe that there isn't the "best bike", not even "best bike for me".  There is just what I like now, what I can compare it to in the past and what are my current riding interests.  Tomorrow, some manufacturer will release a bike that will have me thinking, "hmmm, that will fit me."  

Motorcycling is evil but I'm trying my hardest to keep this economy rolling!

Careful with a KLR bud.  35HP will get you in to all sorts of trouble.
I'm actually taking a trip to Vermont this weekend; should be aprox 600 mi or so.  I'll let you know if my head falls off from all the excess buffeting.