Re: [ST] still wishy-washy

[Mark Collett <yzf1k@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Brian,
	Sounds like what I went through awhile ago.  Except I was looking at
the BMW R1100S, VFR800, Ducati ST4 and the Sprint ST.  The Triumph has
that 'character' I was looking for without the high cost of the BMW and
the Duc.  
	Maybe I said this before, but I owned a VFR750 once, and I knew that I
needed more 'oomph' than what it had, especially for 2 people and hard
bags.  The Sprint has done nothing but satisfy.  My wife and I took a
trip for a few days with the saddlebags and top case.  Then yesterday I
took it all off, moved the muffler to the higher position and went to my
favorite road to work on grinding hard parts on the pavement.  I really
do like the broad powerband of the triple, manageable torque
everywhere.  But let's get to answers to some of your questions....


> Availability of luggage.  I read it can be hard to get or might take
> months, or was that just an issue when the bike first came out?

I ordered a brand new BRG Sprint in January and the bags were there on
time (took about a week).  

> The boxes tend to leak and/or rust?  Or bang around, break the side
> brackets, and come off?

I've got all three (top case and saddlebags) and I haven't been in rain
yet, but they are very solid.  I will say the assembly instructions are
crap, like they went from English to German to Italian to English... 
but the quality in construction is there.

> Parts can take weeks to arrive at the dealer?

I asked my dealer about that and he said they are quick if the
distributor has them; if not they come from overseas.  This was put to
the test awhile ago, I had some problems with a 'freak' top case kit, it
was missing alot of parts (I think it was a 'Friday' kit).  After
talking with me and the dealer, the Triumph rep said he would just send
me another entire kit and I could cannibalize it for what I need, then
send back whenever.  It took a few days to get to my door.  In that
situation I was VERY pleased with Triumph, they did what they needed to
make me happy. 

> There's not a large dealer network, maybe higher chance of getting
> stranded on the road in a city where you can't get the bike fixed?

I guess this depends on where you live.  I have at least 3 Triumph
dealers within an hour's drive (one in town and two about an hour out). 
I don't go to my local one because I don't like their salespeople and
business habits.  But they are there if I REALLY have to get something
local ( that's another story ).  

> Finally, is there any evidence yet about long-term reliability?  Does
> anyone really have any idea how long the bike will last?  Is this engine
> new as of 99, or were there previous triumphs with it that would give
> more of an indication of lifetime?

I was worried about that too, and was comforted knowing people have gone
well beyond 20,000 miles on their bikes.  I plan on doing the same. 
There's a few things about the bike people will complain about (the fuel
gauge for example) but it is a solid bike from what I've gathered.

Mark Collett

- -- 
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Mark Collett
Michelin Engineer
Unigraphics CAD/CAM user!
2001 Triumph Sprint ST (BRG)
2000 Audi A4 1.8T Quattro

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