New Triumph Sprint ST

[Biff]

Just an excuse for posting some photos of the gorgeous new Sprint ST. It even has three under seat pipes. I think I need a lie down now.

[Sniper]

Hmmm, now thats nice, I got my first ride on a sprint yesterday.

I want one now

[Biff]

Hmmm, now thats nice, I got my first ride on a sprint yesterday.

I want one now


Aren't they superb machines?
Sprint's are beautiful, great handling, great economy, good performance and aguably better than the alledged holder of the "world's best all round bike" crown the VFR800. The only thing I have against the older version is that the front end felt a bit soft at times.

A gripe some people had with the old ST was that it was a 955cc and was possibly underpowered, just. Now it has a 1050CC engine it may just be a world beater.

It's definately down on the shortlist of my next bike.

[Hitcher]

Gorgeous. Absolutely bloody gorgeous. Coming soon to a Triumph store near you?

[White trash]

Gorgeous. Absolutely bloody gorgeous. Coming soon to a Triumph store near you?

Well coming to one near you.

Allready ordered ya one, Hitcher!

[Paul in NZ]

Why does the seat stick up like that? Looks like an 3 year olds attempt at gluing the wings on a plastic hairyplane kit with quick setting cement.

Can't be good for a pillion or us older types to throw a leg over. (the seat - not the pillion)

Apart from that. It's certainly one of the more together designs from Mr Bloors contractors (just another thing he did wrong imho). I'd test one for ya WT and give it an unbiased opinion....

(and what poofta reckons the VFR is the worlds best all around M/C? Obviously never ridden a Mk2 leMans)

Paul N

[Joni]

Mmmmmmm!!!!
Pretty damn nice ay...
:2thumbsup

[Hitcher]

Allready ordered ya one, Hitcher!
Ooh err! What colour is it??

Ahem... How much is it??

[vifferman]

I'd have one. Mebbe.

If I didn't already own the world's best all-round sportsbike... :Pokey:


Actually, it was my intention to test-ride a Sprint before buying another bike, and when the vifferbabe saw one, she said, "Ohhhh! We should've come in here first!" But, she didn't like the colour (VERY IMPORTANT!) as it was British Racing Green. (I thought it was nice though.) Perhaps iffen she'd seen this nice blue one, it would've been a different story.:wacko:

[Biff]

Coming soon to a Triumph store near you?

Quite possibly maybe. I need to win over Ms Biff though as the Bird is still less than six months old. Another 3 months and it'll be the longest I've ever owned any one bike. We'll see. But I'm sure Ms Biff has other ideas - like getting married (at last, nag, nag , nag) , buying a new car, feeding the children and other frivolous expenditures.

[manuboy]

Bollocks to all that Biffy.

Aprilia Futura any day of the week ... the falco looks better still and has my fave engine configuration, but the futura all the way if comparing apples with Triumphs ...

[Hitcher]

Bollocks to all that Biffy.

Aprilia Futura any day of the week ... the falco looks better still and has my fave engine configuration, but the futura all the way if comparing apples with Triumphs ...
You're missing the point here. This isn't just a beauty pageant.

Sports tourer. Luggage. Pillion. Comfort. Performance. Something somebody with haemorrhoids can ride.

[Biff]

Bollocks to all that Biffy.

Aprilia Futura any day of the week ... the falco looks better still and has my fave engine configuration, but the futura all the way if comparing apples with Triumphs ...


Shit dude, you could have someones eye out with the pointy bits on that Futura!! and as for that other thing ...yawn.

[manuboy]

You're missing the point here. This isn't just a beauty pageant.

Sports tourer. Luggage. Pillion. Comfort. Performance. Something somebody with haemorrhoids can ride.

Wonder if the nice wee man who owned the Futura with all the luggage carrying requirements i'd ever need and a bog load of K's on the dial at the very recent woodstock rally had missed the point as well?

In fact, if you'd checked out the aprilia site b4 posting you'd (probably) admit that the bike is positioned as ... guess what... a Sports Tourer.

Produced to give you maximum comfort, maximum aerodynamic protection and optimum stability, with or without panniers fitted

[vifferman]

In fact, if you'd checked out the aprilia site b4 posting you'd (probably) admit that the bike is positioned as ... guess what... a Sports Tourer.
Yeah, I'd have one, being a V-twin and all. If I didn't already own the world's best all-round sportsbike... :Pokey: etc etc. blah blah blah.

Actually, they had one of these in at Motomail when we bought the vifferbabe's helmet. If I recall, she didn't like it. Probably because it was silver (colour's very important, y'know. This is sort of a beauty pageant, y'know.)

[Biff]

A twin!! I didn't realise it was a twin. Come on, who wants half an engine in a modern bike? You need a minimum of three cylinders in order to qualify as a motorbike don't you? Particularly if you want to be a credible sports tourer. :shake:

Seriously though - I've heard nothing but negative things about using twins in anything designed for serious touring. All that vibration and such like for hours on end. But I love the low down torque on twins. But not for touring surely?

Can someone please convince me otherwise and tell me why twins are ok for touring and not just great fun for blasting the back roads.

[Big Dave]

Just an excuse for posting some photos of the gorgeous new Sprint ST. It even has three under seat pipes. I think I need a lie down now.

Unless they are here in time for the South Island RAT raid, and are released in nelson, I'll probably get to run the press bike/s in and do the KR test on the Sprint.

No doubt the Aprilia is a good bike. The only thing I found I didn't like was the droop dawg indicator/mirrors, but the ST has them as well. Otherwise I find them both pleasing to the eye, european and desirable.

The Triple is a gloriously tractable motor in an extremely versatile package. It's been bumped to 1050cc for more grunt.
If you only had one bike for all applications it's a gem.
Only thing they don't do particularly well is hold their resale, but that's partly because they are so popular and there is plenty around.

Much prefer the ST in Silver.
http://www.triumphnz.co.nz/05/pages/SPRINTST_04.htm

BTW The full O5 triumph range is here
http://www.triumphnz.co.nz/05

can't wait to get my mits on that new S3 either

bd

[Biff]

Unless they are here in time for the South Island RAT raid, and are released in nelson, I'll probably get to run the press bike/s in and do the KR test on the Sprint.


Lets have a game of re-arrange the popular phrase - a bastard are you lucky.

If you're headed through this way Dave it'd be good to see the bike in the flesh. Providing that is that the RAT guys n gals could live with a Honda being around them for a short while.

....any jobs going?

[MD]

Thanks for the link to the pics Big Dave. The blue Speedtriple does it for me. Looking forward to seeing one when they arrive ??

[Big Dave]

Lets have a game of re-arrange the popular phrase - bastard are you lucky.

If you're headed through this way Dave it'd be good to see the bike in the flesh. Providing that is that the RAT guys n gals could live with a Honda being around them for a short while.

....any jobs going?

Yeah - I know. Unbelievably lucky.
They are due in March (Sprint and Speed triple) and the Raid is set for the 11th - out of Thunderbike.
I'm just guessing, but that would be where I'd launch them if they are available. I can't make the Raid, but if they roll them out in Auckland, I'll probably get the gig. Will know more tomorrow.

Most RAT rides and events have a variety of other bikes tagging along. Sunday rides are 'all welcome', (but the pace is usually pretty :rolleyes: brisk).
The official part of a Raid (dinner, photos etc) is 'Triumph Only' - sponsored by the Factory and the Dealers and is meant to 'reward' brand loyalty, there's pretty good prizes etc.

But as far as I know only mr plod can stop you riding anywhere you like in this country? And I'm sure they would all be happy to tell you what a 'hoot' the RAT thing is anyway.

you'd only have to deal with me takin' the piss

chz
bd

[White trash]

Dave. You're too tall for the ST, you know that! Stop kidding yourself and give me the keys, there's no "i" in team, mate.

[White trash]

(but the pace is usually pretty :rolleyes: brisk).



:doobey: :killingme :killingme :killingme :doobey:

[Big Dave]

Dave. You're too tall for the ST, you know that! Stop kidding yourself and give me the keys, there's no "i" in team, mate.

WT....WT....WT....how many times must I tell you - it's ALWAYS all about ME.
:yes:
bd

[Big Dave]

:doobey: :killingme :killingme :killingme :doobey:

Nah, that's the right word for it. It's not 'sick' like the R1-Gixxer brigade, but the boys 'push' breathed on 955i's. Nada wrong with that. I do notice that 'backroads bernie' is the only wellingtonian regularly up front, and I thought that indicated a general 'slowness' of you blokes from down there anyway.

bd

[White trash]

Nah, that's the right word for it. It's not 'sick' like the R1-Gixxer brigade, but the boys 'push' breathed on 955i's. Nada wrong with that. I do notice that 'backroads bernie' is the only wellingtonian regularly up front, and I thought that indicated a general 'slowness' of you blokes from down there anyway.

bd

Oooooooohhh, it's ahhn now Bee-arch!

Nah, any group Mr Never-got-a-licence-Nutbag on the custom painted Triple rides with (he's still allowed, right?), is A-OhKay with me. :not:

[White trash]

You do know Bernie lurks here eh?

[Big Dave]

Oooooooohhh, it's ahhn now Bee-arch!

Nah, any group Mr Never-got-a-licence-Nutbag on the custom painted Triple rides with (he's still allowed, right?), is A-OhKay with me. :not:

He's still fine with me and da hippy. They luff beer.
mebe not so welcome in yon coridors of power.

bd

[White trash]

He's still fine with me and da hippy. They luff beer.
mebe not so welcome in yon coridors of power.

bd

Ahhhh. What a shame.

Think I might move to Orcland soon, cheer all the grumpy cunts up......

[Riff Raff]

:disapint:
WT....WT....WT....how many times must I tell you - it's ALWAYS all about ME.
:yes:
bd
Sigh.... how many times do I have to tell people - It's not about you, it's ALL about me! :disapint:

[Paul in NZ]

The official part of a Raid (dinner, photos etc) is 'Triumph Only' - sponsored by the Factory and the Dealers and is meant to 'reward' brand loyalty, there's pretty good prizes etc.
chz
bd

What? Just like Bloors crowd rewarded us old life time brand loyal types for keeping the dream alive... :ar15:

Paul N

[Big Dave]

What? Just like Bloors crowd rewarded us old life time brand loyal types for keeping the dream alive... :ar15:

Paul N

Errr, not quite with you - but i should have said 'encourage brand loyalty'.
but whatever - we have a pretty good time.
bd

[dangerous]

A) twin!! I didn't realise it was a twin. Come on, who wants half an engine in a modern bike? You need a minimum of three cylinders in order to qualify as a motorbike don't you? Particularly if you want to be a credible sports tourer. :shake:

B) Seriously though - I've heard nothing but negative things about using twins in anything designed for serious touring. All that vibration and such like for hours on end. But I love the low down torque on twins. But not for touring surely?

C) Can someone please convince me otherwise and tell me why twins are ok for touring and not just great fun for blasting the back roads.
A) OK........ ok, I have to step in at this point and say....... Biffy.... muilties (4cyl's) belong in cars mate a real bike has one or two cyl's perfurably in a vee configeration, the Futura would be my pick (after a V11 Le Mans) I have ridden the Futura and it was smooth and way to quite.

B) Honestly thats the 1st time I have heard that about twins, Beit 2 of 4 pods a engine has a vibration eg: I find 4's to have a high and fast vib a tingling type a thing were as a twin is more of a low slow vib more of a pulse.

C) I'm not about to covince you on anything....... but heres a thought you convince me.... lets say the XX for a week end :ride:
I have mostle had twins and my main interest in riding has been touring, and I have never had a problem with that in fact I find the avarage 4 cyl a tad on the boring side..... but back to the twin thing, the CX turbo was wicked for touring, the Guzzi dito but the postion was a killer after 600k or so, more to do with the style of bike not cyl's.
The Storm is great being a series 2 its bars are set up more for topuring and the V2 bit is no differant to a 4.... apart from the fact that with a twin it isent always nesasery to knock it down a gear.
The pan pasific is a 800cc V2 and is a full on tourer..... I'd like to know what someones thoughts are on them.
I have covered the most milage in a day on a VFR750 (the last of them) 1100k and felt like I could do it again.... but thats cos the rds were kinda straighter than NZ rds.... maybe a V2 is the ultermit in touring engines..... oh crap that would be a STX

[Paul in NZ]

Errr, not quite with you - but i should have said 'encourage brand loyalty'.
but whatever - we have a pretty good time.
bd

Loooonnngg story but when they first started making the new ones they changed the Logo and started getting all harley legal with people that were using the old logo to advertise parts to keep the old bikes going and putting it on mugs, caps and shit. Law suits were threatened etc etc

They went to great lengths to stress the new bikes were completely disconnected from the old oil leaking, un reliable junkers that typified the old triumph and then started re using all the old names.

A lot of folks that kept the faith were feeling a bit miffed with it all! (lets not mention the heavy handed styling)

But what ever....

A few years back I was speaking to Jack Wilson at Big D Cycles and while they were well pissed off they took so long to get bikes to them they were still pleased the name was back. If it was good enough for him, how can I complain!

Paul N

[manuboy]

Comfort? Okay. So you want a bike you can ride the length of the South Island on in one morning and still feel fresh. Great. Do that often do you? Every weekend is it?

I rode to the coast this weekend. And when i got there i could have ridden straight back. 100% fact that a silky smooth tourer would have delivered me in better condition, but i associate the odd ache and pain with riding motorcycles.

I'd have a "tourer" one day. I've considered it. But for now i'm happy with a bike that will get me where i need it to, vibration or no, aches or no. They all serve to remind me i'm on a bike, and focus me more on my surroundings. A lumpy assed twin serves me fine. I don't want a bike with a reverse gear or a stereo or a thousand litre tank. I don't want a couch yet!

The bottom line for me is i'll ride as far as anybody on a tourer, i'll just arrive in worse nick, and with a few more fuel stops. But i'm okay with that. Then this weekend i'll get to Akaroa for a quiet beer long before the first tourer turns up. I think Aaron will back me up on that....

[Big Dave]

Thank you paul now I understand.

Most of the 'distancing' of the early Hinckley Triumphs from the Meriden machines was done so as not to be tarred with the brush of unreliability and leaks that had been so effectivey loaded by messers Lucas et al.

I think it was also about not having new dealers swamped with 197X Bonneville repairs, trade ins and ongoing headaches.

As the bikes have established themselves as reliable and hardy as any other euro, then the past has been embraced and acknowledged in the form of Thruxton, T100 etc.

Bloor has done it smart commercially, at the expence of some traditional values perhaps, but it's now a pretty good product and you only have to look at the amout of Rocket III's and T'birds and Americas that are out with the Meridens at the TOMCC and see there is generally wide acceptance.

chz
bd

[Paul in NZ]

About all I get miffed about these days (from a true anorack wearing train spotters mind) is the mis use of the names and the BSA type styling which is in general, far too heavy for a Triumph which were always lithe, sensual beasts (well ok maybe thats a stretch for a bathtup thunderbird).

To my mind the current Tiger should be a Trophy (as that was the off road model)

The Daytona should be a Bonneville

The T600 should be a Daytona

The Trophy should be a Tiger

The Bonneville should be crushed for exceptional ugliness and the Thruxton cleaned up a bit and renamed the Ace.

Paul N

[Biff]

you'd only have to deal with me takin' the piss

Hang on, surely you don’t mean taking the piss at my Bird? After your mag sung its praises in a recent review I simply cannot believe that you journo types aren't all part of a greater clone "collective", incapable of independent thought. It must be because I'm a pom. It can't be the bike.

Would love to see a 6'5" ladder of a man like you riding a Trophy. Now that would be funny. As a matter of interest if you ride the trophy for more than 10 minutes, with your size and all, do turn into a pupa and then re-emerge days later as a butterfly?

[White trash]

The Daytona should be a Bonneville

The T600 should be a Daytona

The Trophy should be a Tiger

The Bonneville should be crushed for exceptional ugliness and the Thruxton cleaned up a bit and renamed the Ace.

Paul N

Good job you've got no clout at Triumph then, they'd have been broke in the first two years trying to fit motors in sideways and shit.....

[Juan]

Ah yes, tis the only bike I think I would change the Fazer for..... will be trying one when our dealer gets one, if I like I will change.... maybe :thud:

[Big Dave]

About all I get miffed about these days (from a true anorack wearing train spotters mind) is the mis use of the names and the BSA type styling which is in general, far too heavy for a Triumph which were always lithe, sensual beasts (well ok maybe thats a stretch for a bathtup thunderbird).

To my mind the current Tiger should be a Trophy (as that was the off road model)

The Daytona should be a Bonneville

The T600 should be a Daytona

The Trophy should be a Tiger

The Bonneville should be crushed for exceptional ugliness and the Thruxton cleaned up a bit and renamed the Ace.

Paul N

The Quadrant?

Anyway I like the way the bonne looks and the Tiger should have been called the Adventurer.

They haven't re-released the 'Tiger Cub Woods' (1950's) model yet either. it would be a big hit! :sick:

bd

[Paul in NZ]

The Quadrant?

Anyway I like the way the bonne looks and the Tiger should have been called the Adventurer.

They haven't re-released the 'Tiger Cub Woods' (1950's) model yet either. it would be a big hit! :sick:

bd

Yes... Quite right The Quadrant would have beena stroke of brilliance... And while I kinda agree on the adventurer name (more appropriate) the Trophy name goes way way back for the off roaders and half the original Adventurers (a muchly mis understood and forward thinking bike btw) were actually badged Trophy Trails and the model designation was TR5T (T for trophy)..

Now! A Tiger Cub? Good idea as Triumph are still making the same error IMHO by not having a decent entry level machine. There is definately a place for a really cool 250 of non Japanese origin.

As for the looks of the new std Bonneville.... Bleaugh! Looks like it fell out of the ugly tree and hit every branch on the way down to a very heavy landing in a used septic tank.

Go look at a Kawasaki W650 (ignore the fugly engine) and see the difference. Kawasaki understood the lightness of line that messers Turner and Wickes crafted into the Triumph twins. Bloor and co don't have a designer in house, everything is contracted out (a la the first T150 to Ogle) and I think it shows. Yes, the engineering is fine but it's UGLY because there was no one to love the bike and unify the whole thing. It's as bland as a labeless can of cold tapioca served in a railways cup on a deserted platorm on a cold winters night in Taihape. Yes, it didn't offend anyone but it's not going to inspire either!

Paul N

[Biff]

Shoot - I've heard it said loads over the years by twin owners, as an owner of several twins and by reading biking mags that twins aren't the best for long journeys. In fact I read an article last night in a Ride road test where the guy who was road testing a Suki twin said his fingers went numb after about 100 miles due to the engine vibrations and it took him days to recover.

Now I know I'm comparing apples with possums, but I've definitely heard it said a number of times and based upon my experience, that "in general" twins aren't "ideally" suited for touring due to the vibrations, relatively poor fuel economy, noise etc etc. The key words here being "ideal" and "in general". Would love to try one on a hike one day. Maybe you and I should swap bikes on one of our outings DD? I don't know about a whole weekend though!!

As for 4 cylinders lacking the poke of twins, that's one hell of a generalisation. Although I know where you’re coming from because loads of 4 cylinder bikes feel lazy. But have a poke at my bike mate and then tell me it isn't quicker than yours all the way through the range and with equal consistency, all the way through the range, and will carry on going once any road going twin had either run out of steam or motion lotion .

Don’t get me wrong here guys, I’m a big fan of twins and have owned a fair few myself (XRV 750, DT's, TZR,GPZ etc) and may very well own one again. So don’t feel that you need to defend them. They’re a hoot and have served me very well over the years. But at the moment I've choosen ball breaking speed & acceleration combined with with the ability to tour, economically, without a sore arse, two up in comfort on a silky smooth motor.

[Paul in NZ]

Sounds like you are getting SOFT... Your bike is one step away from a car! (scrathc that, your bike is a better car than my 89' Starlet)

I'd defend the economy of touring on a Guzzi compared to your monster any day... (mainly because I sleep under bridges and in ditches and eat old fag ends and road kill)

Paul N

Moto Guzzi LeMans (It's a mans bike son - says so on the side)

[vifferman]

Shoot - I've heard it said loads over the years by twin owners, as an owner of several twins and by reading biking mags that twins aren't the best for long journeys. In fact I read an article last night in a Ride road test where the guy who was road testing a Suki twin said his fingers went numb after about 100 miles due to the engine vibrations and it took him days to recover.

Now I know I'm comparing apples with possums, but I've definitely heard it said a number of times and based upon my experience, that "in general" twins aren't "ideally" suited for touring due to the vibrations, relatively poor fuel economy, noise etc etc. The key words here being "ideal" and "in general". Would love to try one on a hike one day. Maybe you and I should swap bikes on one of our outings DD? I don't know about a whole weekend though!!
The Firestorm is not the smoothest twin out there (in fact, I believe Honda may have deliberately engineered in some vibes for 'character'), but I had no problems with vibes on it. It only had noticeable vibes at around 4k rpm, and even then, they didn't numb my hands or feet.

My two big problems with touring on it were the seating position and fuel mileage. My knees were too bent, which cut off circulation and made my right foot go numb. The short range of the tank was a good excuse to stop and unkink my arthritic limbs.

Noise? Always wear earplugs on the open road, so that was no problem.


As for 4 cylinders lacking the poke of twins, that's one hell of a generalisation. Although I know where you’re coming from because loads of 4 cylinder bikes feel lazy. But have a poke at my bike mate and then tell me it isn't quicker than yours all the way through the range and with equal consistency, all the way through the range, and will carry on going once any road going twin had either run out of steam or motion lotion .
On the contrary - it's the twins that feel (and sound) lazy. Due to developing maximum torque lower in the rev range than an IL4, they feel like they're hardly working. This also means there's less need to change down a gear to overtake. The facts probably say otherwise and agree with "tell me it isn't quicker than yours all the way through the range and with equal consistency, all the way through the range, and will carry on going once any road going twin had either run out of steam or motion lotion" but it's just a perception thing: a twin seems like a more lazy, relaxed ride.


Don’t get me wrong here guys, I’m a big fan of twins and have owned a fair few myself (XRV 750, DT's, TZR,GPZ etc) and may very well own one again. So don’t feel that you need to defend them. They’re a hoot and have served me very well over the years. But at the moment I've choosen ball breaking speed & acceleration combined with with the ability to tour, economically, without a sore arse, two up in comfort on a silky smooth motor.
Yeah, for long-distance touring, smoother is definitely more comfy. Don't forget though that riding a bike is a very visceral thing - it's all about the sensations, whether a particular bike "does it for you", and for many people (me included), ultimate smoothness and quietness take something away from that. I've never ridden a Blackbird, although I came close to doing so the day I bought the VFR, but I have a very good idea what it'd be like. Years ago (before the Blackbird was released), I test rode a whole lot of new bikes back-to-back, and rode a CBR1000. It was a lovely, smooth, comfortable bike - the nicest I'd ever ridden. But I knew that if I owned one I'd pine for summat with more character after a while.

[Biff]

Sounds like you are getting SOFT... Your bike is one step away from a car! (scrathc that, your bike is a better car than my 89' Starlet)

I'd defend the economy of touring on a Guzzi compared to your monster any day... (mainly because I sleep under bridges and in ditches and eat old fag ends and road kill)

Paul N

Moto Guzzi LeMans (It's a mans bike son - says so on the side)


:lol:
Ok Paul - I'll give you that one. The Bird is certainly softer than many of the twins, in terms of ride comfort and the silky smooth available power. As for me getting soft. Nope, not me. I like riding all sorts of bikes and as I'd never had a 4 cylinder rocket before I though I'd give it ago.

Buying an old fashioned southern European machine is on my list somewhere, just after sleeping with Helen Clark. Thinking about it, she's probably more attractive than 98.7% of all Guzzi'z anyway :Pokey:

[Paul in NZ]

:lol:
Ok Paul - I'll give you that one. The Bird is certainly softer than many of the twins, in terms of ride comfort and the silky smooth available power. As for me getting soft. Nope, not me. I like riding all sorts of bikes and as I'd never had a 4 cylinder rocket before I though I'd give it ago.

Buying an old fashioned southern European machine is on my list somewhere, just after sleeping with Helen Clark. Thinking about it, she's probably more attractive than 98.7% of all Guzzi'z anyway :Pokey:

Probably a harsher ride as well... :ride:

[Skunk]

On the contrary - it's the twins that feel (and sound) lazy. Due to developing maximum torque lower in the rev range than an IL4, they feel like they're hardly working. This also means there's less need to change down a gear to overtake. The facts probably say otherwise and agree with "tell me it isn't quicker than yours all the way through the range and with equal consistency, all the way through the range, and will carry on going once any road going twin had either run out of steam or motion lotion" but it's just a perception thing: a twin seems like a more lazy, relaxed ride.My IL4 is lazy, built around the ZZR1100 engine but redone for low and mid range torque. Lazy and smooth. Like me. Well, the lazy bit is.

[Biff]

On the contrary - it's the twins that feel (and sound) lazy. Due to developing maximum torque lower in the rev range than an IL4, they feel like they're hardly working.

I always get the feeling that twins feel as though they were working their nuts off, basically anywhere throughout the range, as oppossed to a 4 cylinder engine which are generally smother, and as such feel and sound like they're not working as hard.



Don't forget though that riding a bike is a very visceral thing - it's all about the sensations

I couldn't agree more. What I've found is now that I ride a bike so much smoother than my previous twins I've opened up a whole new dimension to my riding pleasure. No longer do I sub conciously listen to the engine so much as concentrate on my riding skills, the speedo and my surroundings.
Don;t get me wrong, while the Bird is smoother than a VFR it's not so smooth that you don't get a kick out of the engine noice, higher frequency vibrations and such like. It's just not the thumping, pulsating (engine noise that it) experience of a twin.

If you're ever down this way Viffer feel free to borrow my Bird for a test ride anytime you like.

[vifferman]

I couldn't agree more. What I've found is now that I ride a bike so much smoother than my previous twins I've opened up a whole new dimension to my riding pleasure. No longer do I sub conciously listen to the engine so much as concentrate on my riding skills, the speedo and my surroundings.
I know exactly what you mean. I found that with switching from the FahrtSturm to the VifFerraRi. Also, I found that if I 'de-stealth' the Satantune, I tend to ride harder and more aggressively, due to the demonic music from the zorst. :devil2:


If you're ever down this way Viffer feel free to borrow my Bird for a test ride anytime you like.
Thanx, Dude - that's very kind of you. :niceone:
I regret not test-riding the Blackbird when I was offered the chance, as I'd intended to test-ride a whole bunch of bikes when looking for a replacement for the VTR. But as it was a last-minute, spur-of-the-moment thing anyway, as I hadn't meant to go out and buy a bike, there wasn't really time to. :confused2

And then the VifFerraRi felt so right, that there didn't seem to be any point in riding anything else (apart from the VTEC, just in case it was better, and because the vifferbabe liked the looks of it more).

[Biff]

felt so right, that there didn't seem to be any point in riding anything else (apart from the VTEC, just in case it was better, and because the vifferbabe liked the looks of it more).

I can understand that, when I rode my mates hired Viffer (VTEC) from Nelson to Westport a few weeks ago I admit to being very, very impressed with it. That vroooooooom at 7K (?) when the rest of the valves get off their arses and lend a hand is pretty impressive, and what a sweet song she sings.

[vifferman]

I can understand that, when I rode my mates hired Viffer (VTEC) from Nelson to Westport a few weeks ago I admit to being very, very impressed with it. That vroooooooom at 7K (?) when the rest of the valves get off their arses and lend a hand is pretty impressive, and what a sweet song she sings.
Hmmmm.....
After riding non-VTEC VFRs quite a lot, I hated the VTEC sound. And as far as I could tell, riding back and forth through 7K rpm, it made no difference whatsoever to the performance just a "WAAAAAAAAHHHH!!!!!" when it cut it in (and several times, a stumble as well.)
The rest of the package was very nice though, great suspension and handling, 'interesting' looks (love them or hate them), but that engine sucked, IMHO.

On the other hand, when I get hard on the throttle of the VifFerraRi, it has a lot of intake roar (very nice), and the sound changes a lot - much more hard-edged. It's kind of like the Dr Jekyll / Mr Hyde thing that the VTEC is promoted as having, but never quite achieves.

[avgas]

ofta reckons the VFR is the worlds best all around M/C? Obviously never ridden a Mk2 leMans)
Paul N
I rode 2 LeMans (one was MK2), while they are nice bikes.....best all round :lol: yeh if you take your own tool kit.
Best all rounder to date would have to be a super reliable single, with a turb to keep up with the big boys :yes:
Gimmie a Daytona (Guzzi or trump) over a LeMans anyday

[Biff]

Hmmmm.....
After riding non-VTEC VFRs quite a lot, I hated the VTEC sound. And as far as I could tell, riding back and forth through 7K rpm, it made no difference

Oh yeah - definately just a noise without any grunt.
As my wife would say," She's all fur coat and no knickers".

[MD]

Paul- well done mate you are a walking/riding encyclopaedia (had to check the dictionary for that one!) on the ole Triumphs. I agree the standard new bonnie lacks the beauty of the 70s ones it was supposed to emulate (OK I'll put the dictionary down now). Lucky for me the America isn't trying to imitate a specific model and therefore has a unique look all to itself. Its works for me anyway. But what with the crap name. You wont find that in the British MC history books and for good reason.
Vibes- twins vs 4s. I've owned 4 parallel twins and a VTR. The parallels don't vibrate one bit. The America would be the smoothest bike I've owned, full marks to Mr Bloor.
He also did the right thing distancing the Hinkley bikes from the Meriden. The brand name might be the same but it was still a new company, new factory with new styles and ideas for a different era.

[Kickaha]

A twin!! I didn't realise it was a twin. Come on, who wants half an engine in a modern bike? You need a minimum of three cylinders in order to qualify as a motorbike don't you? Particularly if you want to be a credible sports tourer. :shake:

Seriously though - I've heard nothing but negative things about using twins in anything designed for serious touring. All that vibration and such like for hours on end. But I love the low down torque on twins. But not for touring surely?

Can someone please convince me otherwise and tell me why twins are ok for touring and not just great fun for blasting the back roads.


Bloody good job you're not the marketing manager for BMW then, you better ring them and tell them that twins make crap tourers

Ok it wasn't a "new" bike but I did around 50'000km on my Darmah which was apparently a sports tourer way back in 82, and there wasn't ever a problem with vibration not even when the big end was shitting it self,I did two thousand milers and the Southern Cross and the only issue as a tourer was the crap fuel range due to the small 15L tank


A) OK........ ok, I have to step in at this point and say....... Biffy.... muilties (4cyl's) belong in cars mate a real bike has one or two cyl's perfurably in a vee configeration

What he said,spelling mistakes and all.

[dangerous]

As for 4 cylinders lacking the poke of twins, that's one hell of a generalisation. Although I know where you’re coming from because loads of 4 cylinder bikes feel lazy. But have a poke at my bike mate and then tell me it isn't quicker than yours all the way through the range and with equal consistency, all the way through the range, and will carry on going once any road going twin had either run out of steam or motion lotion
To whom are you refering this statment too? not me I expect as I never said such a thing.


The key words here being "ideal" and "in general". Would love to try one on a hike one day. Maybe you and I should swap bikes on one of our outings DD?
I dont have a prob with that and I might be able to get Glen out on the Busa so you could try that out too, I am thinking that they are two compleatly differant bikes (asuming that you havent ridden one yet)


Buying an old fashioned southern European machine is on my list somewhere, just after sleeping with Helen Clark. Thinking about it, she's probably more attractive than 98.7% of all Guzzi'z anyway :Pokey:
LMFAO.......... :Oi:

[dangerous]

I rode 2 LeMans (one was MK2), while they are nice bikes.....best all round :lol: yeh if you take your own tool kit.
WTF is it with people thinking Guzzi crap out all the time....... off hand the mates that I can think of who own Guzzi are:
2x Mk3
3x Mk4
1x Mk5
3x 1000s
2x 1000sp (round fin) 1 rebuilt due to age
2x 850t3 (round fin)
1x 850t5
2x 1100sport (carb)
2x 1100sport (inj) 1 being mine that did need the relays replaced twice
1x 1100sport corsa

Thats 19 bikes that I know of and non of them have ever shit them selves my bike being up to 80,000k.... so go figger :bleh:

ps: Paul, what have you done to the Mk2 and at what milage?

pps: sorry for turning this into a Guzzi thread...... at least it isent about whisky :pinch:

[Hitcher]

at least it isn't about whisky
Whisky? Who said whisky? I think I can smell Lagavulin. Wafting from Upper Hutt. Maybe Wallaceville. From a gargre. 16-years old. 700ml bottle. Emptying. Steadily.

[Paul in NZ]

WTF is it with people thinking Guzzi crap out all the time....... off hand the mates that I can think of who own Guzzi are:
2x Mk3
3x Mk4
1x Mk5
3x 1000s
2x 1000sp (round fin) 1 rebuilt due to age
2x 850t3 (round fin)
1x 850t5
2x 1100sport (carb)
2x 1100sport (inj) 1 being mine that did need the relays replaced twice
1x 1100sport corsa

Thats 19 bikes that I know of and non of them have ever shit them selves my bike being up to 80,000k.... so go figger :bleh:

ps: Paul, what have you done to the Mk2 and at what milage?

pps: sorry for turning this into a Guzzi thread...... at least it isent about whisky :pinch:

It was an old bike when we got it and it had sat unused for ages which did it no good at all.

We have 50,000km on it in modern conditions and lots of little niggles and a few leaks but never (ever) stopped on the road or let us down.

I know people with 400,000 MILEs on Calis and never missed a beat. Once sorted, those things run and run!

Most of the problems are caused by poofter owners that don't want to learn the bike and co-operate with it. All Nigel no it alls that would be far better off owning a Honda where they would doubtless meet the nicest people - HA!

;)

Oh they have a few quirks and require some pain but people, these things are the real deal, living folk art. Believe this. You will never see their like again, they and Royal Enfields are the last of the pre computer designed bikes. Some guy DREW this with a bloody pencil and the same sweaty over unionised marios have been churning them out in the same poxy little village in the mountains by a beautiful lake since ww1. The same love went into these bikes as went into my beloved old pommy shitters.

You can't buy that at Country Road and despite the ads, you can't buy it at your local HD megga store.

Paul N

[dangerous]

Whisky? Who said whisky? I think I can smell Lagavulin. Wafting from Upper Hutt. Maybe Wallaceville. From a gargre. 16-years old. 700ml bottle. Emptying. Steadily.
Lagavulin..... Of all the distilleries on Islay, Lagav....... na sorry Hitch ya not going to get me this time I'll wait till a bullshit thread, but I will attach a pic of my bottle of Lagavulin it apaires to be a tad bigger than your 700ml tiz taller than a BMW side car.... I think :msn-wink:

ps: and unopened

[dangerous]

Oh they have a few quirks and require some pain but people, these things are the real deal, living folk art. Believe this. You will never see their like again, they and Royal Enfields are the last of the pre computer designed bikes. Some guy DREW this with a bloody pencil and the same sweaty over unionised marios have been churning them out in the same poxy little village in the mountains by a beautiful lake since ww1. The same love went into these bikes as went into my beloved old pommy shitters.
Paul N
Yet again Paul......Guzzi poetry in bloody motion :2thumbsup

[Biff]

Bloody good job you're not the marketing manager for BMW then, you better ring them and tell them that twins make crap tourers
.

Who said they were crap? I never said anything of the sort. Have another read of my thread, particularly my use of the words, ""in general" twins aren't "ideally" suited for touring".

We could both sit here for ages throwing around names of really good twin tourers, and I openly admit to be generalising when I specificaly said - In general 4 cylinders are better than 2 for touring. Although to have passed some tongue in cheek comments after my original post re' twins being half an engine, hence the wobbly arse smilie.

Beemer' make great twins, and not so great ones. But you pay a premium for them. I rode a F650 for over 2000 miles on a tour last year, it was good fun, but not my idea of an "ideal" tourer for several reasons, but it did the job. However in "general" I wouldn't say that this kind of bike makes for an "ideal" tourer.

[Kickaha]

Who said they were crap? I never said anything of the sort. Have another read of my thread, particularly my use of the words, ""in general" twins aren't "ideally" suited for touring".
.

There's no point in me completely misinterpreting what you said if I can't use it to take the piss :rolleyes: