RE: [ST] 2005 ST, First Thoughts

["Heyer, Matthew A." <mheyer@xxxxxxxxx>]

As for the generational thing, I'll only be 29 next month, and I hate
the digital speedo's.  Give me the classic analog gages anytime.  To me,
it's one of the deciding factors of bikes, even back when I was
originally looking at the Sprint (ST/RS) years ago.

Matt Heyer

- -----Original Message-----
From: owner-st@xxxxxxxxxx [mailto:owner-st@xxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of
Andrew F. Kay, Jr. 
Sent: Monday, January 17, 2005 9:02 PM
To: ST@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: RE: [ST] 2005 ST, First Thoughts

Well written, Mike, thank you.  But I must disagree about the speedo,
both from an aesthetic standpoint and a technical one.  My Bonneville
(Pontiac SSEi) switches it's analog speedo from MPH to KPH at the push
of a button.

I suppose it to some extent a generational thing, but digital gauges on
both bikes and cages are off-putting, at least as far as speedometers
and tachs are concerned.

Perhaps Doggydo, even older than I but an RS fan, will disagree.

Andrew F. Kay, Jr.
Riders of the Lost Empire, LC,  13355 79th Street, Fellsmere, FL 32948
www.lostempire.com   andy@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx 
"Eternal law has arranged nothing better than this, that it has given us
one way in to life, but many ways out."  Seneca 4 B.C./A.D. 65,
Epistulae Morales



- -----Original Message-----
From: owner-st@xxxxxxxxxx [mailto:owner-st@xxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of
Rocky Mountain Motorcycle Holidays
Sent: Monday, January 17, 2005 7:19 PM
To: ST@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [ST] 2005 ST, First Thoughts


I went to the Vancouver Bike Show yesterday and saw the new ST in
person. It 
was the Silver model w/o bags. It is even more attractive in person than
in 
the photos.

The dash/cockpit area is clean and there's a little glove box on the
right 
side with a key lock which should handle a radar detector/speeding
ticket 
stubs. This was a prototype only, but the fairing & front lights looked
very 
aerodynamic and fit well. The turn signals in the mirrors are also crisp
and 
there are no more rubber boots around the mirrors. The clutch had an 
adjustable lever and good shape, I hope that remains a stock item. The
rear 
of the bike is very clean with the underseat exhaust and an easily
modified 
licence plate bracket. The new swing arm looks better and the rims are 
gorgeous. It also looks like there's plenty of heat shielding around the

exhaust which is important on those hot sunny days.

Luckily since I spend a few $$ on Triumphs each year, so they let me sit
on 
the bike. The seat is a big improvement. Thicker yet firmer foam and a
more 
textured seat cover, good shape too. The passenger seat looks less
sloped 
than the photos (which is a good thing) and there is decent passenger 
legroom. It might just be my imagination, but the bars feel slightly
taller 
although the bar/stem unit seems to be the same as our current models.
Also 
a big improvement for taller riders was the shape of the fairing around
the 
knees. Gone is the tendancy to have your knee/shin hit the lower
fairing. 
The tank has a nice flat top area which will be excellent for tank bags.

Obviously I'm a Triumph fan, but the new ST makes some other models look

bulky and dated. It makes the FJR1300 look positively porky and the
Ducati 
STs look tired, even though it has just been updated. The ST looks
sleeker 
and more refined than the VFR, especially when you see the VFR with the
bags 
and I know the valve adjustment will be a lot cheaper. All in all a
solid 
effort. My only dissapointment was the fact that they stuck with an
analog 
speedo. I've grown used to the digital ones and I like the quick change
from 
MPH to KPH.

The new Speed 3 looks awesome, but that is another weblist. Either way,
I 
can't wait until spring...

All the Best,

Mike Ciebien
Rocky Mountain Motorcycle Holidays
www.rockymtnmoto.com 



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     *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *
*   *
      The ST/RS Mailing list is sponsored by Jack Lilley Ltd.
          http://www.TriumphNet.com/st/lilley for more info
   http://www.TriumphNet.com/st for ST, RS and Mailing List info



     *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *   *
      The ST/RS Mailing list is sponsored by Jack Lilley Ltd.
          http://www.TriumphNet.com/st/lilley for more info
   http://www.TriumphNet.com/st for ST, RS and Mailing List info

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