VFR or TRIUMPH SPRINT

[Maha]

Which one and why? im looking seriously at an 04' VRF but like the Spint ST also, the Triumph is a 2000 model and both bike are similar in price, you knowledge on the pros' and cons' would be helpful, was also considering a Yamaha Thunderace.....YZF 1000 which is quite a bit chearper that the other two, which one ??

[Mental Trousers]

I'd go for the Trumpy as it isn't anywhere near as complex and gadget laden (ie expensive) as the VFR. The Thunder Ace is a good bike but if you can afford something else that's later then do that. Although I don't know what the servicing costs and replacement parts costs are like for either.

[Maha]

I did read up on the Triumph and the servicing is expensive so they say, and as long as the regular services have been done then its good for 100,000 km's if servicing hasn't been kept up then its old by 40,000 km's

[Fatjim]

That VFR looks the biz in blue. I'd prob go for an 05 ST over the vfr, but the old model ST? Naaaa.

[Maha]

I am leaning towards the VFR but will have a good hard look at them all because which ever one i eventually get, i will own it for good few years.

[Mrs Busa Pete]

Pete's choice is the yamaha because he said they are all a lot of bikenot that i know what that means. mine is the vfr or the yamaha they are both nice looking bikes.Although the yamie is red and wont go with blue and white spandex

[moko]

All good bikes but if the VFR`s got the V-tec motor then there are plenty who dont like it and prefer the older model,servicing is apparently a nightmare as well and a full dealer service here will cost you £600 which is roughly $1500,maybe even more as that`s off the top of my head..and it`s not the kind of bike you can skimp on when it comes to servicing.Think I`d lean towards the Triumph but the Yams a really nice bike as well and vastly under-rated.Dont know where the comment about the Triumph lasting for 100,000 kms came from but most modern bikes will double that if you look after them properly with maybe a re-bore and a new camchain along the way.

[Maha]

The mag i read was ' Two Wheels ' and they stated that the Triumph service could be as much as $1200, the Thunderace gets a good right up in another bike mag, thanks moko for your input, and mental, i have a few months to think it over...........

[mdb]

Go the Yamaha, they are really underated and a lot of fun PLUS you don't see as many around.

[rocketman1]

Funny I was looking at the same choices about a year backie VFR vs Sprint
I bought neither, I picked up a slightly modified & alot cheaper Bandit 1200 with mod.rear shock unit, until I can make up my mind, since then I've heard so much good about the ol reliable bandit I dont know if I'll change, not bean spent on repairs, I hope you can say the same about the Triumph in a year or so. Lets know your choice and why?

[Triumphy Chik]

I'm on my 4th Sprint ST, starting with '99 right through to '05 (1050) and as of Monday a brand new '06. I have thought about changing from time to time, but to be honest I can't think of a good reason to. From my experience the services are well under $1,000 and are only required every 10,000 ks with virtually nothing in between. I have my '01 Sprint for sale now (if you are interested in looking at it) and still feel they are a great bike (handling, reliability & all round). And riding the '01 after having owned the 1050 for a year and 20,000 ks I still reckon it's a great bike and good value for money.

[moko]

Well this backs up what I read about servicing the V-tech VFR,this is a "how to do it yourself" guide to checking/adjusting the valves,pictures dont work but scrolling through will give you the general idea.
http://www.vfrdiscussion.com/forum/i...howtopic=19621
If you get bored half-way through basically the guy`s saying you need to remove the radiator front wheel and god knows what else to do the job properly,guy here recomends taking the forks off as well so you can see where the £600 service charge kicks in.When I researched this bike for a magazine item I came across a bit on a forum by a Honda main dealer mechanic.He said that Honda sent out motors to train the spanner-wielders and no problem,however when they saw the bikes it quickly became apparent that Honda had modded the bike with little or no regard to servicing the complete bike as opposed to a motor on a bench....and basically that`s the only way to check the valves correctly,as the guy in this link says it`s basically a matter of dismantling half the bike to get at them,and even then a special tool is required.Not only that but many dont like the V-tec anyway,bike`s flat before it kicks in and when it does it can be at all the wrong moments.Basically they`ve managed to turn one of the most versatile bikes out there into something as peaky as the old 70`s 2-strokes.Given the performance needed to just do part of the servicing(needs doing only every 16,000 miles but still way too complex and expensive) you`d also want to have 100% faith in the guy doing the job.
Going rate here is 600 quid(main dealer price) as I told you before and the exact conversion using today`s exchange rate makes that $1711 ......for a bloody bike service...and on a flawed bike at that.Have you considered a Blackbird? Similar kind of thing to the YZF1000.

[Maha]

Cheers for that moko, and yea i was looking at blackbirds today in a mag i get, might have a closer look at them, have a search online etc. We have a Honda dealer here now so i will go have a talk to them, they will hopefully be honest.

[dangerous]

Two differant bikes these.
I'd go the Triumph, why cos I like something different... the Triumph will hold its price better and has something that Jap bikes dont.

The VFR is a awesome bike, nothing wrong with them at all... 24000k is a dear service (engine out IIRC) but other than that one of the best bikes to come from the Nips.

Tiz a hard choice to make, specially if you have only owned Jappers, but once you break that tradition, I bet ya wont look back. having said that non Jappers arnt for every one, and thers nothing wrong with that.
Good luck chosing.

[Maha]

The three bike i am looking at will all suit my needs, the YZF 1000 seems to have balls, the VFR is very very styleeeee and the ST is a Triumph, need i say more, great to get feed back from you guys, your thoughts help......