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Re: [ST] want to like an ST
- Subject: Re: [ST] want to like an ST
- From: "Brian D ." <brd@xxxxxxx>
- Date: Wed, 12 Feb 2003 08:03:14 -0600
On Tue, Feb 11, 2003 at 01:58:14PM -0500, Michael Abraham wrote:
>
> I've been thinking for some time about trading my T-595 Daytona for
> something a bit "calmer," and more of the sport-touring
> variety. Obviously, the Sprint ST is a likely candidate. My nearest
> dealer (90 miles away) has two new left-overs on the floor, a 2001 and a
> 2002, both priced in the low $9000 range. I test rode the 2001 a few weeks
> ago.
There are some great deals on leftover Sprints out there. The 02 has a
little more power and sounds a little less like a tractor at idle.
> My positive impressions were: excellent power at all rev ranges,
> particularly down low. Smooth engine, nice and quiet but very
> muscular. Good handling (although on a test ride, I didn't push it).
> Nice appearance.
> The first was the placement of the handlebars, which were too far forward
> and angled downward too much. I'm short (five feet, five inches), so the
> bars are a real stretch for me. I'm under the impression that GenMar
> risers will help some, but I'm concerned they won't help enough to take the
> pressure off my wrists on longer rides. So I'd be interested in anyone's
> impressions of them. Also, are there any aftermarket bars with
> adjustments, like the BMW bars?
Riding position is a very subjective thing. I've always heard to give a
new bike 1000 or so miles for your body to adapt to it before modding
the seat or bars.
I find it curious that you now ride a daytona, but find the sprint's
riding position a stretch.
> Second, the instrumentation was difficult to see and use. The speedometer,
> if my memory serves me, registered to 180 in ten mph increments. This
> seems silly to me, as the bike won't go that fast.
No, but it might *read* that fast if you got a true 160mph out of it, it
would read 175-180mph. Also, the speedo is great for poseur points. :b
> Also, from my limited experience at triple-digit speeds, the last
> thing I was looking at was my speedometer! The problem, though, is
> that the digits are too small and close together to read with any
> accuracy.
They are small and close together. The Sprint RS has a digital speedo,
fyi.
> The digital clock is too small and dimly lit, and the warning lights
> are also too dim. These things appear not to have remedies, but
> merely need to be adjusted to. Any thoughts?
The warning lights are fine, IMHO. If anything, I wish the Eye of God
fuel warning light was less bright and distracting.
The clock can be hard to read in low-light, but at least the bike has
one. The speedo reads 10% high and is not easily fixable (if at all).
However, I have a fix for all your speedo/clock issues: a Sigma BC800
bicycle computer. Accurate, digital with large numbers, and has a
clock, as well as serving as another trip odo and keeping track of
avg/max speeds, etc. It's $25. It isn't backlit but there is an
accessory light you can buy for it.
Some will say that you shouldn't have to buy the bc800 to fix something
the sprint lacks, and I can see that PoV. But actually, I would
recommend the bc800 for any bike.
Good luck.
Laters,
Brian
- --
Euless, TX
'97 VFR 750
'99 Sprint ST(black, RIP)
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