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Re: [ST] Riding the new T5s



Mike,

Thanks for your evaluation of the '02s.  Shameless plug or not,
it IS appreciated!

- -Rick in Oregon
'01 Sprint ST
"NO Dawg"


- ----- Original Message -----
From: "Mike Ciebien, Rocky Mountain Motorcycle Holidays"
<mike@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <ST@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Sunday, May 19, 2002 8:11 AM
Subject: [ST] Riding the new T5s


> Hi Gang,
>
> I've just spent a few days riding our new T5s. Here are my
thoughts if
> you're interested:
>
> 2002 Speed Triple (black)
> - lighter steering than previous model for sure, also lighter
than the 2002
> Daytona I just rode (more leverage & upright riding position),
still super
> stable as long as you don't work too hard on the bars.
> - more power all the way up. Really strong starting at 5K. No
need to tug on
> the bars for a throttle wheelie in 1st gear, 3.5 to 5k, just
whack the
> throttle and voila: unicycle. Could also be the lighter front
wheel.
> - motor is smoother, more electric, same sound at exhaust, but
no more rock
> crusher at idle (nice)!
> - transmission feels a little smoother
> - suspension is better on rough roads, just as good on smooth
ones,
> compression damping much better sorted.
> - the seat seems worse even though it initially feels softer, I
found my
> butt getting tired sooner. There is more room to move around
though. The
> passenger seat is better (flat & higher up).
> - Brakes, Front: same, Rear: now it has one and it is just
right!
> - Looks? I like it now that I've spent some time with it. That
plastic panel
> between the tank and the rear section is great because my
leathers don't
> scuff the paintwork anymore. Also the new flyscreen (same as
the Speed 4) is
> really clean from the cockpit, looks like it belongs. The
optional seat cowl
> actually makes the rear end look cool.
> - Negatives? Seat and maybe the lack of clocks for the speedo &
temp, but I
> actually like the digital speedo now.
> - Positives? If you get used to the looks, it is just a better
bike all
> around. And guess what, like the original T509, the looks grow
on you. From
> the saddle it is an instant blast!!!
>
> 2002 Sprint ST (blue)
> Only the motor has changed so there's less of a reason to trade
in a
> pre-2002 model.
> - Weight. Moving the bike around the garage, it doesn't feel
any lighter,
> but out on the road it does feel a little different. The
suspension feels a
> little stiffer (in a good way) but that could just be that the
bike is a
> little lighter due to the pressure cast cases.
> - Motor (same as the 2002 Speed Triple) does feel more
electric. Maybe not
> as much power at 2-3K same at 4K and definitively more at 5K
and beyond.
> Revs more freely, sounds the same (except again, less
mechanical noise at
> idle). Transmission feels smoother, no false neutrals.
> - Fit & Finish are the same. I really like the use of the
silver rims on the
> 2001 & 2002 models, it just makes the bike look cleaner.
> Negatives? None, I would not trade the slight advantage
off-idle for the
> extra juice in the rest of the rev range. New stickers are a
little cheezy
> but hardly worth mentioning.
> Positives? They may have stiffened up the suspension or maybe
the Sprint is
> wearing the TT600 wheel also (although I haven't read that
anywhere), but it
> does seem more responsive at the bars. I like the bike, but I
would not take
> a big loss on a pre-2002 ST for the upgrade.
>
> 2002 Sprint RS (black with carbon pipe)
> This bike looks good in Black and the pipe sounds GREAT. It
does add some HP
> and isn't too loud. Everything else is the same as mentioned
about the ST.
> One thing I forgot to mention about the Speed 3 that applies
here also is
> that the new motor does look worse on the left side than the
pre-2002s. It
> was never the good looking side of the motor, but the round
cover on the
> crank mounted alternator seems to jump out a bit.
>
> Now the for the shameless plug:
>
> If you want to ride the new T5s, there are two spots left on
our May 26th
> RAT Ride in the Rockies (7days, 8nights) We'll have extra demo
bikes for
> everyone to try and Robert Smith is bringing along one of his
classic bikes.
> Ride one of our bikes or bring your own (less expensive),
either way
> everyone will get a chance to try the different machines. Email
for a Last
> Minute Prices. Its a great way to spend some serious time on
the new
> Triumphs on some of the best and most scenic roads anywhwere.
>
> My 2 cents
>
> All the Best,
>
> Mike Ciebien
> Rocky Mountain Motorcycle Holidays
> www.rockymtnmoto.com
> mike@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>
>
>
>
>
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