Am I suited for a sports tourer?

**Old Steve** · 9th November 2011, 19:33

I've been stopping off at Bayride, Tauranga, to check out the second hand bikes on the roadside for some time now, and lately there has been a nicely kitted out Triumph Sprint ST 1050 fitted with panniers and a double top box. OK, it's not a cruiser but looked a nice sports/tourer. So Kevin says, "Take it for a ride, this is a special bike it won't be on sale for long."

So I took the bike for a ride at lunchtime. And what a surprise it was. I think it was best that Kevin did take the panniers and top box off before I went for my ride. So what did I find?

I'm too old and lack the inside leg length to ride a sports bike. I had trouble swinging my leg over the seat, don't know how I would have got on the bike if the top box had been fitted. And when seated, I was only able to touch the ground with the tips of my toes and didn't feel confident on the bike at rest or coming up to light controlled intersections or give way signs where I might have to stop and put my feet on the ground. Also I think that the slight lean forward position on the Sprint doesn't exactly suit me.

But, and isn't there always a "but"? What a fantastic riding experience I got once onto Takitimu Drive! I'm used to GLORIA, my 250 cc cruiser, so it was exhilarating to feel the acceleration coming from just a small roll of the throttle. The bike felt lovely and stable as it's speed picked up, though I felt perched up higher than on GLORIA - in fact I was perched up higher than on GLORIA. The narrower bars weren't a problem, though I did find the mirrors gave a reduced view of what was rapidly being left behind. The bike's speed was deceptive. After riding out on the new Lakes bypass road, I turned around at the Pyes Pa roundabout and came back the same way. Looking down at the speedo I was surprised at the speed I was doing, I could easily lose my license in days if I owned this bike. Riding on the open road is fantastic on this bike. And the fuel tank just sits there saying, "Squeeze me with your knees!" The person who designed the fuel tank is a pure sculptor.

But, and isn't there always a "but"? The roads I was riding back on led back to town, give way signs, traffic lights, and my feet barely able to touch the ground. OK, OK, I would be able to reduce the suspension height to improve the placement of my feet on the ground. I don't think reducing the suspension height would make it easier throwing my leg across the seat and I wouldn't be able to mount the bike at all if the top box was fitted. And using this bike as a tourer would be one reason I would consider it.

So I had to take this bike for a ride just to actually find out that it wasn't really the bike for me. The ride was fantastic, but I couldn't accept the suspension height, the easy way I could collect speeding tickets, and the difficulty of actually getting on the bike. I think if I do ever move to a larger bike, it'll have a smaller engine and a lower seat height. A mid-size cruiser in fact. Now there's a nice looking Triumph America at Bayride .....

**JimO** · 9th November 2011, 19:39

you could always get taller??

**Hitcher** · 9th November 2011, 20:16

A suitably qualified expert could also lower the suspension for you, and Mac McDonald could take some height out of the seat as well.

**DR650gary** · 9th November 2011, 20:40

Have a look.

http://cycle-ergo.com/

How tall are you? I found the Sprint a bit cramped for me around the knee area, but I am over 6 ft.

I like the Adventurer but you need to be comfortable getting on/off and riding the bike. Most bikes with a dogbone lower suspension link can be lowered with a bit of work.

Cheers and enjoy the search.

**St_Gabriel** · 9th November 2011, 21:10

I went from a GV250 to a VL250 to an Aprilia Shiver. Having a ball and so far dont regret it. Have fun and try as many different bikes that you can.

And +1 to the cycle ergo web page

**nzspokes** · 9th November 2011, 21:16

I had the same issue getting on and off bikes when I started. Is the reason you cant get on flexibility or your height?

Mine was flexibility. With riding this has passed. I can now hop on and off my motocross bike without issues.

Is its height, just get it lowered.

**shafty** · 9th November 2011, 23:02

Nice post Old Steve, god on you for checing other stuff out - and long may it continue.

You would have almost ridden past McDonalds Mototrimmers to get to Takatimu Drive - they are 300M from Bayride, in Glasgow St and Mac does a good job.

When my top box is on, I have been known to leave the bike on the side stand and put my Left foot on the LHS foot peg before "getting the leg over" - much easier.

Try some other Triumphs too - Lindsay runs a great shop, - I've always thought that if I did own a shop, I'd like to think I could replicate his professionalism

Shafty

**LBD** · 9th November 2011, 23:30

Check out the availability of a lower seat or a seat that is a little narrower at the front so your feet/legs are not pryed so far apart by the seat.

I am 5'7" and ride a tallish Duc Multistrada. I have the balls of my feet firmly on the ground with thick boot soles... my heels are just off the ground but I manage fine.

re: throwing a leg over. my pillian seat is 4" higher than the main seat and I often have a tail bag on the carrier and two wide panniers that add to the throw distance. I leave the bike on the side stand, position myself close to the tank and throw my leg over with a 90 degree bent knee....no problem just a little getting used to.

I can promise the slight hight difficulty is more than compensated for by the fun of riding a good sports/adventure/tourer....Get back to the shop and practice hopping on and off then reconsider.

**Banditbandit** · 10th November 2011, 08:02

Try other sports tourers .. thy are not all the same height ... the Sprint is very nice .. but my visual experience of Triumphs is they ere quite a high bike ... the Sprint is 805mm at the seat ... my 1250 Bandit has a seat height of 785-805 (adjustable) .. at its lowest setting you may well get your feet comfortably on the ground ...

But shop around .. plenty of other sports tourers to try ...

**Swoop** · 10th November 2011, 14:23

As others have said, "throw your leg over a few bikes" and take them for a run if you can.

Have a look at the VFR's. The 750 is a superb sport/tourer and not too hard on the body.

**Muppet** · 12th November 2011, 07:24

Virtually all motorcycles are capable of breaking the speed limit, even your "Gloria". Once you get used to riding a bike like a Sprint 1050, it's not a problem. When someone says "I'd lose my licence on this bike etc etc" that tells me the person lacks self control. I rode a mate's Hayabusa a while back, sure it's fast but I didn't go silly on it. Go get yourself a big bike with heaps of torque, you'll love it!