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RE: [ST] Improvements for Sprint ST



On Tue, 17 Dec 2002 peter.chittum@xxxxxxxxxxxx wrote:

> I'd be curious to know what kind of improvements to any of the 
> bikes (including the ST) were held up by the fire in Hinkley. 
> Seems like in a crisis like that, I would want to retrench, and 
> redirect my resources to maintain a steady supply of new 
> machines to customers, even if I couldn't follow through with 
> some of the R&D improvements that might be on the table. 
> Thoughts? Rumors?
>
> I must admit it annoys me a bit to hear of people griping of 
> minor issues with a very nice bike. Then I remember I still 
> have a s**tload of fun on mine, so what do I care?

Yup, but it is going to start loosing them customers, well 
actually has. I guess you could say their test ride policy has 
its good and bad, when I compared the Sprint vs. a duc ST4, the 
Sprint ST came home with me, much nicer mill on the ST, yeah, the 
handling is a bit nicer on the duc, but, I loved the tripple. I also
felt the maintance required by the duc would get expensive, and of
course the ST was a bit more comfortable.

But the latest round was not so favourable, rode a new ST, then 
a Daytona, the Daytona was not only handles the twisites better, 
it gave a better ride over bumpier tarmac. Add in the fact that 
there where other nits, I decided that the price difference 
between an '02 ST with 3 case luggage VS. '03 FJR with 3 case 
luggage not not large enough not to get the FJR.

Yes, I could have got a better price, hell, the california 
dealers are selling ST luggage at cost, and the bike for $500 to 
$1000 less than here. But, getting a bike in California and 
transporting back here would have eaten up the savings with both  
my time and mileage on the truck. And of course, the FJR should
hold its value better than the ST as well, but that is not why
I got it..

Don't get me wrong, I very much enjoyed the ST, and if

- - the '03 ST had the Daytona engine, slightly re-tuned for less 
top and more bottem end

- - the '03 ST had the Daytona suspension.

- - the '03 ST had a redesigned rear subframe, the current one 
with luggage is poorly designed, between the thin add-on gusset 
for the luggage and the poor placement of the seat lock.

- - (optional) slightly wider mirrors

- - (optional) anti-rock device :-)

I would be wait for delviery of the first '03 ST in Dallas, 
sadly, for Triumph, the only concerns I now have are

- - I wonder how much the black FJR body work will cost.
- - I wish Yamaha did a better job with the heated grips.
- - Damn, just 200 more miles before I can open it up :-)

I know it taky to talk of other brands so favorably on this list,
but I hope that Triumph is listening, and I hope they do improve
the ST. Chances are I will be in the market for another Sport Tourer
in about 3 to 5 years.

Tom


/*************************************************************
 Thomas Emberson, Dallas, TX
 '00 Yamaha WR400F (self abuse in style)
 '01 Suzuki TL1000s
 '03 Yamaha FJR1300

 sold: '98 ZX6e, '99 ZX9r, '95 EX500
 killed by rocks: '01 BRG Sprint ST (18 months old, 25,152 miles)
*************************************************************/


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