02-21-2018, 11:22 PM
Well, a year after acquiring my CB1100 the urge came to find something a little better suited to long trips. So I started looking for a Sport Touring bike. Looked at used Ducatis as I had a yellow ST in 2000 and loved it. But they are hard to find and complete service records are rarely kept. Next I took a look at Honda ST1300s as I had one of those in 2003. Again upon reflection I looked at why I sold it. It was beautiful but without soul. As well it weighed as much as a barge.
Okay the search continued and included a number of Yamaha FJRs and Kawasakis but none of them really attracted me. I decided to take a look at the Triumph Sprint ST. A bonus was I had never owned a Triumph. I wanted a post 2004 model as they used the 1050 engine. I saw a couple but they are not that numerous. I was on the verge of buying one from a dealer in Ohio. It was a nice blue 2006 with the usual scuffs and bumps of a 12 year old bike. It had 52,000 miles on it. I was slated to go see it this week when I got a notice from a forum member, on a Triumph forum that I joined, that there was a nice one for sale privately about 60 miles from me.
On Tuesday I went to look at it and "nice" didn't even come close. It was a 2008 in what I can only describe as showroom condition. Over and above that the owner had sprinkled the bike with at least $10,000 in tasteful upgrades. Things such as Ohlins suspension, Carrozzeria forged wheels with wave rotors, Carbon Fiber everywhere, Trident exhaust from England and so much more including brand new Michelin Pilot 4 tires. It also comes with Triumph tank and tail bags as well as the top box and pit stands for both ends.
Needless to say I bought it as the sale price was less than the NADA price for a stock bike. Looking forward to getting it home and riding it along with my CB.
Okay the search continued and included a number of Yamaha FJRs and Kawasakis but none of them really attracted me. I decided to take a look at the Triumph Sprint ST. A bonus was I had never owned a Triumph. I wanted a post 2004 model as they used the 1050 engine. I saw a couple but they are not that numerous. I was on the verge of buying one from a dealer in Ohio. It was a nice blue 2006 with the usual scuffs and bumps of a 12 year old bike. It had 52,000 miles on it. I was slated to go see it this week when I got a notice from a forum member, on a Triumph forum that I joined, that there was a nice one for sale privately about 60 miles from me.
On Tuesday I went to look at it and "nice" didn't even come close. It was a 2008 in what I can only describe as showroom condition. Over and above that the owner had sprinkled the bike with at least $10,000 in tasteful upgrades. Things such as Ohlins suspension, Carrozzeria forged wheels with wave rotors, Carbon Fiber everywhere, Trident exhaust from England and so much more including brand new Michelin Pilot 4 tires. It also comes with Triumph tank and tail bags as well as the top box and pit stands for both ends.
Needless to say I bought it as the sale price was less than the NADA price for a stock bike. Looking forward to getting it home and riding it along with my CB.
