Triumph Sprint ST 1050 (2004 - present)

Posted: 20/04/2010 at 18:51

I think you've been unlucky - it happens.  FWIW if I'd had the same experience, I'd be just as mad ( & disappointed).  You really look fwd to a new bike, especially a new model that the journos have liked.

BUT: I put 26k on one the same as yours with absolutely no probs; OK, I had the recall for the drag link - and something else which I forget....so what? Done promptly, no hassles.  OK, headlight was useless....we all know that.  Did the job v well, though; absolutely no reliability issues, finish was great after 3 years.  I bought it after 2 VFRs, which were fine but not in the same class as regards performance & character, and I replaced it with another Sprint 6 months ago, which is just as good.....and has a (sort of) headlight.

 As I say..I think you were unlucky - better luck next time, whatever you buy!

Posted: 20/04/2010 at 19:31

Posted: 05/05/2010 at 22:41

I think he was unlucky...see my post.  I'm not aware of any real reliability probs with the Sprint, or Triumphs in general, come to that, any more than with any other bike.  You'll love the power, the noise especially on the overrun, the practicality.  You'll be glad to forget about the 16 valve "step" on the VFR that you've prolly forgotten about if you've done a decent mileage on it ie you won't have to avoid going into a concentratey-type bend at around 7000 revs.  Just get on & enjoy.

 If you do a lot of riding in the dark, you WILL miss the VFR's lights, especially if it's an early 1050 you're buying.  They're appallingly, horrendously BAD and Triumph should be ashamed etc etc - but that's been said before.

If it's any comfort to you, the first VTEC VFR my local dealer sold blew up before it had done 500 miles.  That wasn't typical, & I don't think Regulator's experience is either!

Posted: 06/05/2010 at 13:57

Really sorry to hear about your bike, Regulator. You've got every right to be pissed off after that lot. New VFR 12 on order yet?

Fwiw picasso my experience is exactly the opposite. My Sprint is easily the best 'cycle I've ever owned. It's flawlessly reliable, lighter and better finished than my old VETEC. It's packed with character, it's really gotten under my skin. I adore the blue beauty like a favorite pet. It's no sports bike but it's faster and more agile than I'll ever need. It's even sweet two-up. From fire breaks in the Highlands to 800 mile motorway stints, she does it all, you won't be dissapointed p.

Posted: 09/05/2010 at 12:31

Not so sure that it is bad luck I had my regulator replaced on my 06 Sprint last May, And guess what happed today ? yep that one has gone to so not to sure what to make of it

Posted: 23/05/2010 at 18:47

I have also had to have my discs replaced which is not good on a bike with less than 18000 miles on the clock. Will see if I can get the regulator changed under warranty

Posted: 24/05/2010 at 17:53

Posted: 26/05/2010 at 21:18

Lodonmun wrote (see)

I think the definition of 'reliable' has changed...modern vehicles of all kinds are expected to start every time until they're very, very old. 'Reliability' these days is more about how much money needs constantly spending on them and how likely it is for things that shouldn't need replacing at any given point do need replacing. In my own experience (admittedly I have never owned a 

 MOTORCYCLE?

. Don't buy one just out of warranty if you can't afford to take the risk...go for a much older one or one in warranty.

Do you ride or are you just a "KeyBoard Wanker?"

Posted: 27/05/2010 at 07:39

Lodonmun wrote (see)

Don't buy one just out of warranty if you can't afford to take the risk...go for a much older one or one in warranty.

Posted: 27/05/2010 at 08:53

sheila wrote (see)

Lodonmun wrote (see)

I think the definition of 'reliable' has changed...modern vehicles of all kinds are expected to start every time until they're very, very old. 'Reliability' these days is more about how much money needs constantly spending on them and how likely it is for things that shouldn't need replacing at any given point do need replacing. In my own experience (admittedly I have never owned a 

 MOTORCYCLE?

. Don't buy one just out of warranty if you can't afford to take the risk...go for a much older one or one in warranty.

Do you ride or are you just a "KeyBoard Wanker?"

Let me turn the question around before I answer...all I've seen come out of you in the very few posts you've made are insults and the occasional joke which you've managed to copy and paste in with a few bits changed...are you not guilty of the exact thing you accuse me of?

I haven't ever seen you post anything motorbike related. Only brief attempts at trying to have a go at other people.

Why have you used speech marks? Why has 'KeyBoard' got two capital letters? Just wondering.

Whether you ride or not, you definitely need help with the keyboard bit.

But yes, I've been riding motorcycles for many years.

Posted: 27/05/2010 at 09:42

MaxBarger wrote (see)

Lodonmun wrote (see)

Don't buy one just out of warranty if you can't afford to take the risk...go for a much older one or one in warranty.

With that statement, am I to assume, your experience with  much older Triumphs is that they are trouble free?      I think it’s you that is dripping oil. 

No, not trouble free, but much less of a risk than a just out of warranty Triumph.

I know three people who have had major problems with Triumphs (as in new engine/new gearbox type issues) within the 1-3 year old period...fortunately all were within warranty but a few months later in one case and there would have been big problems. All of these problems occured very suddenly and without much prior warning...OK, a skilled and experienced mechanic may be able to spot them early but in all three cases the bikes went through at least two Triumph services with nothing being spotted. Then suddenly...pop.

I think that this propensity to go as a relatively new bike makes buying one just out of warranty a big risk.

Buying a much older Triumph; OK it will almost certainly have a few little things, but any major problems will probably have made themselves known by then. Anyway, the point is it's not such a financial risk.

That was my point, not that older Triumphs are more reliable.

Posted: 27/05/2010 at 09:51

Triumphs aren't built like they used to be I had a ST 1050 my 7th Triumph since 97 and my last new one.

I had disc problems warping, from 12000 miles onwards it was burning 2 litres of oil between services and the build quality was way down on my previous Triumphs.

The final starw came when the bike need £600 worth of work to get it through its first MOT after only 17000 miles serviced on the nail and garaged its whole life.

I now run a BMW after 12 years of Triumph ownership, I do have a 98 Thunderbird Sport that I've turned into a flat tracker/cafe racer cross and that flys through MOT's with no trouble 12 years old and was in better shape than my 3 year old ST.

Posted: 15/06/2010 at 21:28

I'm no expert as i only passd my test two weeks ago and collect my 05 caspian blue 1050 sprint two days ago. but I must say I love to bits. I've done over 200 miles already. I know that's only small fry to most on here but after an hour or so of riding there's no wrist soreness or discomfort of any sort.

I bought it because I love the look of it and being tall (6 ft 2) it's far comfier than your usual "1st big bike" ie sv 650s or er6-f. I'm sure they're great bikes but just they are just too small for me.

At the moment I'm completely in love with it and find myself looking forwad to going to work tomorrow, or should I say looking forward to the 30 mile cross country blast to work.

I hope my love for this bike continous as it's started......................

Posted: 30/06/2010 at 20:51

Last 5 bikes have been Trumpers, the last 2 being Sprint STs from new. Held the bikes for 5 years each and covered between 17thou and 25thou.

No problems at al apart from punctures. Although the last one - 1050cc - went through 2 batterries in the last year for some reason.

Super bike, long rides from London - Lakes, S Wales on umpteen occasions. South of France and Monte carlo GP.

I'm a big bloke, and overloaded the panniers, but it would go like a dream and pul all day - sounded great as well especially when coming off the throttle.

New bike is a TBird 1700 - bit of a culture shock!!

Posted: 08/07/2010 at 20:02

My '06 Sprint ST/ABS 1050 was easily the best motorbike I've owned. Not one worry about heading cross country - states away - easy 1000 miles days too.

No oil burning/leaking. Loved the bike.

 Triple mill was the nuts and the handling was over the top...even with OEM suspenders.

Avon Azarro shoes and grip was superb. Wished the panniers held more but - not a deal breaker.

Posted: 08/09/2010 at 16:45

Every bike is different, even two right next to each other on the same assembly line. There are occasional defects in the parts that make up the bikes. Yes, Sprints have a couple of occassional known quircks such as wheel bearings(especially on the 955's), voltage regulators, and even the front rotors. I have owned an 02 that i changed the wheel bearings around 28000 miles. My 05 ST has been relatively flawless in 36000 miles. in the last few thousand miles i have noticed a slight warp in my front rotors,  put in my first replacement battery, new clutch, and my first chain/sprocket replacement. I am just now replacing my voltage regulator. I would say that is pretty excellent if that's all I have had to do. I ride the crap out of my bikes and yes I have had to add a quart here and there after a few long weekends in the twisties, but that is rare. And can you believe, I have had to put air in the tires from time to time too.  All bike brands have issues even BMW(Bring My Wallet). They are all unique and good in there own way. FYI - Triumph is rated #1 in Customer Service and Satisfaction over all the other brands. There is a bike out there for every rider and if you haven't found it yet just keep looking.

Posted: 10/09/2010 at 03:44

Posted: 10/09/2010 at 17:32

Just come across this thread but if anyone comes back and anyone anew here's my bit.

The reliability issue's on here are a european wide problem,we are simply not as good as the japs.I bought a new FZ6 in 2009 one of the last,it's a budget bike as such and when i went to collect i told the dealer i have'nt had the breakdown cover through yet,the guy said don't worry it won't break down.He was right and would a Triumph,Bmw,Ducati dealer have said the same?That Yamaha was tight,built to a fine tolerance,it still was'nt run in at 1000 miles,extremely well made machine.I don't think you will find that quality build in europe.

Triumph have issue's with reliability and maybe it's with the pruduction line, they build bikes as the orders come in on the same line.This is probably more cost affective but at the cost of reliability.The japs have long runs of the same model,this is obviously a better way to  build in respect of reliability.Of course it goes deeper than that,components.Triumph must have known the issue's with ST discs,bearings etc.The quality control seems none excistent

Triumph seem to be doing better with the later models,not heard of problems with the Sreet,Daytona but a bit early yet though.Love the Tiger and i think Triumph are uping there game and on top of qualitity.Time will tell

Posted: 02/02/2011 at 21:21

Posted: 08/02/2011 at 11:54

Posted: 02/03/2011 at 11:10

Very interesting discussion - even the jokes and insults appear related!

I've owned Triumphs for more than 15 years - I started with a 94' Sprint that I bought when I passed my test.  It was a ex-demonstrator and was great until I noticed that the engine was using oil after 5 years.  Fine until then. 

 Next was a Sprint ST - the 995 model.  That was fantasticly reliable, although I did notice that the battery needed replacing every 3 years or so.

 I updated that with a 05 Sprint ST - the 1050 model that was stolen (reliable, although I did replace the battery every 2 years - and had a bit of a problem with the alarm) and replaced with a 58 Sprint ST - which I still use.

 None of the bikes have been garaged.  I have done about 6,000 miles a year - although I did do much more in 08 and 09.  The problems have largely related to the batteries - which I have now taken to replacing every 2 years - and problems with neighbours' driving skills - a problem arose with the alarm after the bike was knocked over on one occasion last year.

There is a problem with getting spares from Triumph - currently, after the latest neighbour incident, I am told by Triumph that the part I need will be available after 22 December!  Some 3 months after it was ordered.  The bike's fine and works, and the insurers are OK about my riding it so long as the garage is OK about it, but it does appear odd that it is taking so long to get a part for a bike that is still being made.

 The panniers are a waste of time on the 1050 Sprint ST - I am told that they are considerably improved on the current GT - but I use a GIVI topbox, so most of the time the problem with the side panniers is not an issue.

 I was in Manchester this week - and the 1050 ST is not as efficient as its predecessor but I did manage 49.5 mpg for the 1,000 mile trip.  So far, outside incidents that arise from neighbours actions, the problems have been with batteries - which is forgiveable and dealt with by replacing them every 2 years.

Posted: 07/10/2011 at 11:56