chipset
Well-known member
On my trip this week to Deal's Gap, I got the chance to ride a 2006 Triumph Sprint ST ABS model. I must say, I was a bit impressed. To most people, I describe my bike as being the child of a Goldwing and an R1. Some of the comfort, a lot of the power. The FJR is very much a true sport touring motorcycle. The Triumph, simply put, is a sport bike with touring duties.
When I was looking at Sport Touring motorcycles, I had looked at nearly everything, but somehow neglected the Triumph.
Here's what I thought after about 400 miles on it. This included the Cherohala Skyway, the Dragon, and various other roads in the area.
First, the Sprint sits up higher than the FJR. The bags are smaller, but because the Sprint is thinner, it makes it look like it has a fat ass. The ergonomics are definately more sportbike than sport touring. You lean into the cockpit, and it definately feel like a cockpit. But, it is a heavy lean, and I like the longer ride feel of the FJR.
The transmission is much smoother and a shorter throw than the stock FJR. I know the R1 shifter can be put on the FJR. I really liked the feel of the transmission over my FJR (or any Yamaha I've owned, R1 included).
It is also much easier to throw into a corner. Again, it is very flickable and much more sportbike like than the FJR. It feels much lighter. It is easy to manuever on foot, as it doesn't have as much weight. That, and it has a single sided swingarm and undertail exhaust (oh, so sexy).
The seat is much smaller and all one piece. It is a pain to remove (I didn't, but was told). It is thinner up front, which was very comfortable. It still wore on me and I had to make adjustments on it, but I would have to get a custom seat for it.
The cluster was nice, easy to read. Had lots of options including a top speed indicator.
The powerplant is definately different than the FJR. The FJR blows it away in torque. While the Sprint engine winds up quickly and will get you moving, it is nothing like the shear force the FJR's engine gives you. The torque on the FJR is a huge advantage.
The pre-2006 FJRs get some complaints about heat. Well, it turns out the Sprint does as well. The heat source is a little higher and not quite as intense. I didn't get it too hot, but I did feel some. It's not noticable while wearing gear, I am told.
According to the Hard Numbers in Motorcyclist (I believe), the Triumph actually has a lower 1/4 mile time.
So, while riding the machines, I can say I definately prefered the FJR in many of the situations we rode in. However, on the Dragon, it was much easier to sling the Triumph around than the FJR. The FJR just felt heavy and you had to work it more than the Triumph. I wouldn't have believed it, until I rode them back to back.
In all, I am glad I have my FJR. I think it is a better Sport Touring motorcycle than the Triumph. If I was looking for a commuting machine with bags for holding stuff (but not helmets, as the bags aren't big enough), I might consider the Sprint ST. For more serious long distance, I don't think it would work well for me. However, John has put over 3000 miles on his this week. So, YMMV.
When I was looking at Sport Touring motorcycles, I had looked at nearly everything, but somehow neglected the Triumph.
Here's what I thought after about 400 miles on it. This included the Cherohala Skyway, the Dragon, and various other roads in the area.
First, the Sprint sits up higher than the FJR. The bags are smaller, but because the Sprint is thinner, it makes it look like it has a fat ass. The ergonomics are definately more sportbike than sport touring. You lean into the cockpit, and it definately feel like a cockpit. But, it is a heavy lean, and I like the longer ride feel of the FJR.
The transmission is much smoother and a shorter throw than the stock FJR. I know the R1 shifter can be put on the FJR. I really liked the feel of the transmission over my FJR (or any Yamaha I've owned, R1 included).
It is also much easier to throw into a corner. Again, it is very flickable and much more sportbike like than the FJR. It feels much lighter. It is easy to manuever on foot, as it doesn't have as much weight. That, and it has a single sided swingarm and undertail exhaust (oh, so sexy).
The seat is much smaller and all one piece. It is a pain to remove (I didn't, but was told). It is thinner up front, which was very comfortable. It still wore on me and I had to make adjustments on it, but I would have to get a custom seat for it.
The cluster was nice, easy to read. Had lots of options including a top speed indicator.
The powerplant is definately different than the FJR. The FJR blows it away in torque. While the Sprint engine winds up quickly and will get you moving, it is nothing like the shear force the FJR's engine gives you. The torque on the FJR is a huge advantage.
The pre-2006 FJRs get some complaints about heat. Well, it turns out the Sprint does as well. The heat source is a little higher and not quite as intense. I didn't get it too hot, but I did feel some. It's not noticable while wearing gear, I am told.
According to the Hard Numbers in Motorcyclist (I believe), the Triumph actually has a lower 1/4 mile time.
So, while riding the machines, I can say I definately prefered the FJR in many of the situations we rode in. However, on the Dragon, it was much easier to sling the Triumph around than the FJR. The FJR just felt heavy and you had to work it more than the Triumph. I wouldn't have believed it, until I rode them back to back.
In all, I am glad I have my FJR. I think it is a better Sport Touring motorcycle than the Triumph. If I was looking for a commuting machine with bags for holding stuff (but not helmets, as the bags aren't big enough), I might consider the Sprint ST. For more serious long distance, I don't think it would work well for me. However, John has put over 3000 miles on his this week. So, YMMV.
