RE: [ST] What are the non-cosmetic differences between RS and ST?

["Ken Mitchell" <kp.mitchell@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

The RS from 2000 (first year) to 2003 all had the double-sided swingarm, but
'04 RS is closer to a Sprint ST because they're built with the same
single-sided swingarm as an ST. Other than that, the RS bars (assuming they
were the stock ones) are 25mm lower and 25mm further forward than an ST.

All models use the same centerstand, but the ST has a "lift handle" that the
RS doesn't, and it's an option you buy for an RS as opposed to standard
equipment on an ST.

More...the ST comes with a 6" wide rear wheel, the RS is 5.5", though both
are fitted with a 180/55-17. The ST's rear is the same as a Speed Triple
(methinks), though Triumph fits a 190/50-17 to those.

Because of the swingarm difference, the exhausts are routed slightly
different too, so the DSSA RS does NOT have the capability of rotating down
to accommodate hard bags. I can only assume the '04 RS would be able to
mount those bags. 

Also, I know for the earlier models the RS had different handlebar
switchgear than the ST. Depending upon which side of the pond the bike was
built for, ST's have a switch for 4-way hazard indicators, no RS I know
does. I think the later ST's adopted the RS switchgear. I do know that an RS
from GB has an on/off slide switch for the headlights (though only one is
lit), the US models have no such switch. Some owners of the RS here have
bought the Brit version to have that, though many use that new switch to
control the (optional) heated grips rather than cutting a hole in the
upper-left fairing.

It has been said that the RS has a 1" higher rear ride height than the ST to
afford a 1/2 degree sharper steering angle and decrease in trail, also
slightly stiffer springs. The cockpit of the ST is mounted quite different
than the RS, but the side panels that mate to them are all the same.

Early years, the RS had black frames and silver wheels, while the ST was the
opposite. Later on, I believe that changed and the bikes all got silver
frames and black wheels. True?

Other than that, the bikes are the same. ;)

Ken M.
'00 RS




- -----Original Message-----
From: Gavin Lawrie
Subject: [ST] What are the non-cosmetic differences between RS and ST?

Hi

Partly in the hope of dragging focus of list back to bikes... the question
about differences between RS and ST.  I had my ST get its 12K service from
Jack Lilley today (came back feeling like a 'new' bike - not sure what they
did but it really made a positive difference - but glad it did as service
was very expensive!) and they loaned me an '04 RS.  I've not been on an RS
for a while, and so it was good to be able to do a back-to-back comparsion
of the two bikes: I got to do basically the same 30 mile mixed road route
four times today - out and back on ST and back and out on RS.  What
surprised me was that they feel so different to ride - but I can't work out
how or why.  The RS felt lighter, and narrower, I rode it lower in the
corners and found myself riding it one gear lower on the same roads.  It
also had the stock seat
- - which I found much less comfortable than the Triumph gel seat on my ST.
But I had forgotten how good the instruments on the RS are compared to the
ST.  Anyhow - hence the question: I had assumed until now that they were
mechanically identical, varying only in the faring / centre stand etc.  Are
there other differences - or am I just hallucinating?

Best regards

Gavin Lawrie
ST'03


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