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hello everyone



It's the new guy.  Just joined the list and thought I would say hello.
I am trying to decide between the Triumph Sprint ST and the Ducati ST2/4
and am part of both mailing lists.  I'm interested to hear anyone's
opinions on the two.  Anything you've got to say.

A little about myself:
I live in Greenville, SC and work for Michelin designing truck retread
molds.  Fun stuff, really - a somewhat new market for us.  I've been
through a few bikes since I started riding at 19 years old.  First was a
1989 Ninja 250 (but I don't really call it my first, I kept it for less
than a month).  Then realizing that a 200+ 6'3" guy like myself didn't
fit well on it I found a 1986 Yamaha FZ750, put quite a few miles on it
(great first bike), then got a VFR750, comfy but BORING.  Then my 'then'
dream bike, a 1994 YZF750.  Great bike, still miss it but I sold it to a
buddy who would really use it for what it was meant i.e. hard riding,
track days and some racing maybe.  I was then moving from the
mountainous area of Virginia Tech and thought I would make a move
towards something I could ride longer distances on.  So I bought a 1997
YZF1000, the ergos were a bit better, and helped on the long rides to
the good roads around here.  That one got wrecked when a lady pulled out
in front of me, and so I bought another one, two years ago.
    So here I am, I've got a yzf1000 and new I'd like to make a change.
I want to tour with the wife but still get some hard riding in here and
there.  I know I'm definitely not racer material but I'd like to think I
know a thing or two about having fun in the curves.  Plus I've come to
realize that things may be changing a bit and a yzf1000 may be a bit
overkill for what I like, not to mention it just doesn't tour well.  I
mean sport tour.
    So...  I had a long list, R1100S, VFR800, ST2/ST4, Sprint ST.  Now
it's down to the Sprint and the Ducs.  I will be test riding the latter
this weekend, and maybe a friend will let me try out his Sprint.  Until
then I don't have saddle time to form an opinion.

    To tell you the truth, the Sprint really has grown on me, at first I
was sold on the Duc but thinking about constantly watching the bike
(maintenance-wise) has me skeptical.  Plus I'm starting to feel like the
Sprint ST just plain looks better than the Duc.  Especially in the
British Racing Green!  Got to have that color if I get one at all.

    As if this letter isn't long enough, these are my 'hangups' as to
why I haven't completely gone for the Triumph....

- - thought that I'd always wanted a Duc.
- - Does Triumph have a racing heritage (I don't mean to pick a fight,
just asking)
- - Limited suspension adjustments
- - Really was looking for a v-twin.

Of course the numbers say the Sprint has the better motor, it costs less
too, and it probably sport tours better.  Maybe I should buy both?  (fat
chance).

Okay lets narrow it down to two questions:

- - What can I do to make the suspension more sporting?  I've read a
little about the Race tech fork mod.  What about the shock?  From what
I've read the rates are a bit soft, making me think that heavy me + wife
+ bags may required a different spring.  Thoughts?

- - What has the history been for reliability?  Also, what are the
maintenance intervals (valve adjustment in particular).

Any information and feedback is welcome.  This is going to be a tough
decision for me, I don't plan on buying until next year, but I go
between the two every day and just can't make up my mind.  Agh!

By the way, I don't know if anyone on this list knew Troy Blood, I had
met him awhile ago before he got his Sprint.  Apparently he was killed a
few weeks ago by a US mail truck while riding.  Sad story, left a
pregnant wife behind.  I did hear that his family is receiving a good
amount of support from church and friends.

Take care everyone,
    Mark Collett

- --
= = = = = = = = = = = = = =

Mark Collett
Michelin Engineer
Unigraphics CAD/CAM user!
1997 YZF1000R
2000 Audi A4 1.8T Quattro

= = = = = = = = = = = = = =



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