It’s been a long time since touring motorcycles with big fairings and clip-ons were popular. Adventure bikes have well and truly urinated on their bonfire, largely taking over the market for those wanting to clock big miles.
Back in the noughties, though, when the bike that arguably kicked it all off - the Ducati Multistrada - was still young, there were loads of ‘traditional’ tourers still around. One we looked at not so long ago - the Honda VFR 800. It’s one of the best-value bikes out there for around £3,000, but if you do have that much cash burning a hole in your back pocket, there is another option worth a shout: the Triumph Sprint ST 1050.
Like its ST 955 predecessor, the 1050 uses an inline-three shared with the Speed Triple of the time. As the name suggests, capacity grew slightly, as did power, to around 120bhp, while torque sits at a handy 77lb ft. Perhaps not the most explosive figures by modern standards, but in reality, that’s plenty.
You do, of course, get that three-cylinder thrum we now associate with Triumph, belted out via a triple-exit, under-seat exhaust that looks far naughtier than it ought too, considering the relatively straight-laced nature of the rest of the bike.
The triple is fed by a decent-sized fuel tank at 20 litres. Factor in reasonable fuel economy if ridden sympathetically, and you’ll probably be stopping to rest a numb bum long before you need to peel off the motorway for fuel.
The ST’s reliability is generally thought to be pretty good, with a composite fuel tank prone to expanding being one of the few serious things to look out for.
The engine is backed up by a fine chassis, so you’ll be able to arrive somewhere like the Alps in comfort and have plenty of fun when you get there. Or perhaps you’re just after a bike that can be ridden all year round that you don’t need to feel too precious about. Either way, the ST 1050 has you covered.
The bike you see here is currently up for £2,885 and has covered just under 17,000 miles. It’s listed as having a part service history, but this wouldn’t worry us too much.
If you fancy one with lower mileage, or perhaps some of the official luggage accessories, there are always a decent number for sale.
Tempted?
