Triumph Sprint ST 1050 (2005-current)

Had the Sprint just over a year now and I have really gelled with it. The handling with Avon Storms fitted is superb, much better than those old Bridgestones. I have ridden friends bikes recently(CBF 1000 & FJR13) and they felt very wooly on the front end compared to the ST, nowhere near as stable and confidence inspiring, those four cylinder motors were also a bit souless but definately smoother. With 12k on the clock now the gearbox has improved no end nearly up to jap standards and less like BMW! On the downside the discs have warped slightly although they are still within tolerance, a common fault so I'm told. I would still recommend the Sprint as an excellent choice if you do a lot of mixed riding, not tried it on a track day yet tho.

Hi Des, Take that plastic tie off your brake lever and try cleaning your caliper pistons. Believe me, problem solved.

Having owned a new one for over three years I feel qualified to rate the ST. A major improvement was having Ohlin springs and oil put in the front along with a splendid Ohlins unit on the rear. All fitted and set up by a qualified engineer. In addition, the power commander and bespoke exhaust raised the weedy 115hp (from new..dyno tested) to 127hp. However, the largest gain was in torque which went from 76ftlbs to 92ftlbs...great. The throttle is still too jerky for really accurate track day use but along with Bt016's I keep up with most of the big bikes on track although i'm beat on out and out excelleration and braking. All in all a good allrounder let down by poor panel work, too much plastic rattle, pethetic lights and silly panniers you cannot get your helmet in. Iv'e taken all that crap off anyway. I nice hugger helps and having the front brake blead regulary and keeping a plasti tie on the lever for 24hrs has improved the brakes by some considerable margin....wow.

I bought mine new June 2008 & covered 4k miles in 6 months including a trip to Italy & over the Bonnette 2802M into Provence, France. Good bits: Dipped beam lights are Brilliant when adjusted, handles well & feels light once under way, better leg room for pillion. Bad bits: Slower than my 955, much worse on fuel, panniers useless, slung them & fitted Givi's, rider seating feels like sat on camel, replaced seat with a Corbin style, main beam like a torch, terrible gearbox like stirring porridge with a teaspoon & finding lumps in it, not as much fun to ride as a 955, been designed by somebody on his notice. Luckily I kept my 955 ('cos it's done 54k (by me)so I was only offered £1300 in Part ex!) which I keep getting out in preference. Why couldn't Triumph have just refined the 955's handling a tad & put better headlights on it?

I bought the Sprint ST kind of 'by accident' I was offered an 06 plate in excellent condition at just the right money, so I went and bought it. Totally standard bike. I liked the bikes ability to run at speed, yet remained 'softly' comfortable without being spongy. I decided that a few more horses were needed so I bought the Triumph Sports exhaust and had the ECU remapped to suit. This now lets the engine really growl and adds a few mors 'ponies' to the back wheel. It also makes that now famous (especially near where I live) triple growl even more exciting. The ride is great, I can cover many miles without any issue at all. To be honest when i push it quite hard, I find the front brakes a little spongy, maybe time for a fluid change, not sure. It does handle very well, even two up. My girlfriend finds it extremely comfortable as well, although when we have the panniers fitted she says that affects comfort a little in terms of leg position. The build quality is bestter then most of the current crop of Japanese beasts, there are a couple of corroded fastners, but the paintwork all seems to be great. All in all, its fantastic motorcycle, can be more sport focused than most people realise, and suprises a few hyper-sports bike riders when it goes whizzing past them. Yep it gets the Stunty thumbs up!! Now if only they made it in KTM ORANGE !!!!

ticks all the boxes,the virtues of a four,speed,perfomance,smoothness,quick revs,the benifits of a twin,torque out the corners,engine braking,with its own sound,unmistaken triple.in all the miles ive done in all the wearthers never mist a beat.

I have just covered 3000 miles on the Sprint now and she's spent every night outdoors. It is by far, the best all rounder I have ever ridden. I needed a bike that could easily chew the miles up carrying gear for work, yet would allow me to keep a reasonable amount of face on Sundays. This is not an old mans bike. It looks amazing and is totally reliable. Basically everything I think is great with the bike except for these things which I think Triumph and manufacturers could improve on. 1. The Triumph approved Datatool alarm took lots of tinkering over the phone as it wasn't going off when it should and vice versa. 2. The heated grips are poor. 3. I have to mention the crash bungs, they are amazing and probaly saved me a grand last night! 4. The skidmarx aftermrket hugger is rubbish, it can't be fastened down to the right hand side of the swingarm, I can here it rattle when I go over big bumps. Why don't Triumph make an approved one, or fit as standard? 5. I have found false neutral twice. I'd buy one again though!

After a 27 year diet of various Jap bikes I sold my FZS 1000 and I wasn't sure what to get next then along came a Sprint at the right price. Test rode it, loved it and bought it! The star attraction has got to be the engine, lovely torque right where and when you need it for the road. At first it seemed slow compared to the Yamaha but its a deceptively quick bike, the motor never feels strained so you need to keep an eye on the speedo. Wind protection is great, it destroys A roads and motorways. High speed handling is good and it always feels very planted and stable, great in the wet. The downside is it's a bit of a bus on the twisty Welsh B roads and it gets hot round town. Build quality seems a bit below par compared to the Jap or newer Italian bikes, plastic fairing panels are a bit thin and I've had the footplate hangers replaced due to corrosion already. Dealer is spot on though (Performance Triumph in Cheltenham)really helpful. So to sum up a great bike with character and best of all it's British.

Myself and my partner have just upgraded to a 2008 Sprint 1050,and after test riding one,i can honestly say what a fantastic machine.Our previous bikes were a ZZR1100 & a CBR1000F. Ok so the sprint doesn't have the outright horsepower to compete with those two....but it is lighter,and the torque of the 3 cylinder motor is superb in any gear.If you want a great sports tourer with a more sporting bent then test ride one of these!Recommended!

I had an indifferent test ride on my ST spoiled by heavy traffic and what seemed like a lot of heat warming my inner thighs. I walked away from it but went back and found inspiration enough to buy it from the testimonials of others and its good looks. At 18 months old, it seemed expensive and its lifetime value is yet to be proved. The clincher was very low mileage and a continuing manufacturers warranty. I saw several Sprints like this and am suprised that anyone would buy this bike without setting off for the horizon and racking up some miles. Moving from and FZ6 Fazer accentuates the trading up element of the buy. Low down power from idle, mile-eating comfort, loads of carrying power and space and those good looks underpinned by the single sided swingarm. Two Euro tours in six weeks and even German BMW riders find themselves drawn to it. Other benefits with big outcomes for tourers include the power outlet (no more flat mobile phone) and the ability to play sports bike when the whim arises. The engine is the star, just listen to it crackling on over-run. On the downside, minor niggles include poor heat dispersal, brakes that could be a little more sustained from high speed and the petrol guage can be a bit optimistic in the middle of a tankful on long trips. The plastic handrails/pannier rails don't inspire confidence and a few more bungee points are needed. I've supplemented the Scottoiler with a lube tube; I hope I dont still own the bike when it needs re-filling as it only just fits. This bike was a leap of faith that in a very short time has rewarded me with excitement, long distances and a renewed faith in a great British bike name.