[MontereyST3]

Hi all,
Just got back from Idaho where I rode my brother's Triumph Sprint. A nice bike. Although I felt like I was sitting on top of it it turns really well. I didn't have my bike with me for a direct comparison but it seemed surprisingly better in the turns. I couldn't find specs on rake and trail but it is an inch longer than my ST3. Has anyone else ridden one and what was your impression? I've been wanting to send my forks off for a while but now I'm really wondering. Any thoughts?
Thanks in advance.

 

[Bill_Anderson]

I am currently without a bike and recently looked at a Triumph ST in a dealer's showroom. From the hydraulic brakes and clutch to the design of the side bags, a Ducati ST seems so much more refined than the Triumph.

 

[cb4265]

I am currently without a bike and recently looked at a Triumph ST in a dealer's showroom. From the hydraulic brakes and clutch to the design of the side bags, a Ducati ST seems so much more refined than the Triumph.

Hi Bill,

It is so sad to see you bikeless, hows your health and mending?
When do you think you will be back in the saddle?

Craig

 

[gearheadchoppers]

At the moment I ride a 1993 triumph 900 sprint with over 100000km on it............runs great and handeling is much easyer than my 2001 duc st4 with 4000 miles
I like the tripple rumble as well!
i like my duc but the trump is an easyer ride

one will do........two is better..........tree is nice all so......4 is to much!

 

[SonicUSA]

Funny you should ask this now, as I just had chance to ride one this past weekend!

My riding buddy just bought a new 2009 Sprint 1150, had about 600 miles on it. We were at the weekend event in Bethel, Maine European Motorcycle Enthusiast's annual event, and while riding back I swapped bikes with him for about 35 miles of backroad blasting. Pretty cool to trade bikes in that environment, and get back on your own again.

Anyway, we both immediately agreed the bikes are remarkably similar, but my impression of the Sprint was -

* I felt more "on it", rather than "in it", as I am on my ST3, but this could be as much due to the lower windshield on the Sprint as anything else.

* The Triumph definately has more power, but I knew that going in. The only surprise was how wide it's range was, as it pretty much out pulls the Duc anywhere. Why I thought it would be peaky is beyond me, but it isn't.

* The Sprint actually seemed to ride better, too, but that may be a benefit only till you start pushing it, as we both agreed it was "softer" ride, which was nice on the rougher roads, but could hurt when you start running hot.

Bottom line for me was, if I had to replace my ST3 right now, without Ducati making a replacement, I'd certainly look at the Sprint...but I still hope for a new 1198 based ST!

 

[stryder]

Hi all,
Just got back from Idaho where I rode my brother's Triumph Sprint. A nice bike. Although I felt like I was sitting on top of it it turns really well. I didn't have my bike with me for a direct comparison but it seemed surprisingly better in the turns. I couldn't find specs on rake and trail but it is an inch longer than my ST3. Has anyone else ridden one and what was your impression? I've been wanting to send my forks off for a while but now I'm really wondering. Any thoughts?
Thanks in advance.

Have you raised the rear ride height on your ST3? What tires are you running and at what pressure? Getting your forks tweaked will also aid your handling, but will have far less effect on turn in/tracking than raising the rear ride height, and getting good tires, like Stradas.

Personally, I don't like the Sprint's rear fender sticking way up in the air, and I hear the cases flop back and forth in-out of turns. I appreciate more power, but I don't need it, ie "real world" power on the ST3 is excellent. The Sprint is not on my list of possible replacements, but it seems a decent bike.

 

[tonered]

My friend just bought an 01 Sprint. I noted this in another recent thread, and it is exactly like you stated. Eventhough, my Duc's rear ride height is raised, the Triumph just falls into corners. I've heard the same comment from a Speet Triple owner (BTW, this supposedly becomes much more pronounced with worn rear tires). It does seem a bit more twichy in corners also, but not in a bad way. The nice thing with the Sprint is the power is VERY linear, almost to a fault if you spend time on 4V Ducs. Thus far, the Sprint has proven to be a verg good first bike for my friend. The power off idle feels like a 500cc I4, which linearly transforms into a strung out triple at the top end. If he can show restraint, he should do fine, just like on any other m/c.

That triple sound is very nice, esp on the 3-2 and 2-1 downshifts. Good stuff.

Now, my feeling is that the Duc ST is just more raw, less refined. I like that, very much. I can't really say that that Sprint is less of a very sporty tourer compared to our Ducs. It just goes about it with a different philosophy. Sort of like that subtle difference between a Lexus IS and a BMW 3-series. I find the 3-series more rewarding. Same with my ST.

With the Sprint, you can just get on and ride. With the ST4, you prepare for the experience.

Have a good one.

 

[motersikelist]

Owned one...

When I was ready to replace my '99 Sprint ST I rode the '07 Sprint to see if I could live with an under seat exhaust. I found the braking poor, the suspension soft (minimally adjustable) and not all that comfortable. Those items can be addressed with aftermarket parts but why bother? The engine & transmission are sweet and make the bike easy to ride but that's only 25% of the package.

If you are ready to put some money down on the Sprint may I suggest you visit:http://www.triumphrat.net/ and check out the Sprint Forum.

My Sprint looked good but came up short in overall performance.

 

[bruce19]

I owned an '04 Sprint RS for three years. I also ride with some friends who have an ST4S and a K1200S. After many rides together, several on the BRP, we all agreed that the Sprint was the better handling of the bunch. The triple was also a favorite of everyone. After 35 yrs. of riding, I'd have to say it's the best all-around bike I've ever owned. OTOH, if I had no need to ride 2-up, I'd take a Ducati SS every time. "Course I'm a minimalist and have never owned hard bags.

 

[Gearbox]

I have always had the Sprint on my list of possible replacements due to its engine and similar "Sports" bias and good looks but have been disuaded by the huge difference in height between rider/pillion , build quality and reports of huge oil consumption and pretty average fuel consumption as well.

My local Ducati shop has always tried to get me on the Sprint but maybe thats because they dropped Ducati so needed to try and move across to a manufacturer they dealt with.
I may give it a go one day but my "Green Eyed Devil" is currently lusting after a K 12/1300 S Beemer .....all that power - In reality i'll probably stick with what I have as I love it so much.

 

[Ronin120]

I don't have a Sprint but I'll let the Speed Triple sort-of stand in for comparison purposes. Obviously the my S3 and ST2 are positioned towards differing concepts of a day's ride. That said, I like Ducati's because the ownership and riding experience is more textural. OK, so what does that mean?

Well, take braking. The S3's braking is not nearly as precise (okay, not at all) in terms of feedback. Both bikes will haul down just fine but the Ducati's Brembo's reward me with just that much extra feedback with less physical movement that has me riding .1% better and having a bit more fun while doing it.

As far as engine response and horsepower the triple wins hands-down, no contest. But I prefer the "rawness" of the L-twin and it matters not a bit to me that one has 112hp and the other 83hp. Get caught with your pants down in the wrong gear in a turn? No worries on the S3, just start twisting the throttle. On my ST2 I need be much more careful about gear selection and revs. But that's okay and I don't see it as a drawback compared to the S3. Part of the mental challenge.

As far as suspensions go, I'm fairly certain the the S3's bouncy-bits are higher spec than a Sprint so I can't fairly compare those. But from a purely seat-of-the pants observation, the ST2's Showas seem to ensure that the bike spends more time connected to the road.

The fit-and-finish of the bikes is part of the "textural" experience that I have with the two bikes. The quality of the fittings and components on the Ducati is in a completely different class. The Triumph has everything it needs and is good quality but the Ducati is fitted with the best. And the best part of that is that when I ride the ST2 it seems to me that every single part of the ST2 was carefully thought about, planned, developed, tested and built to arrive at a motorcycle where all the parts and systems work to complement each other. That I really like.

Anyway, for racing around the twisties (I've toured the S3 too) I'd take the Speed Triple. I just have to think about cornering and the S3's already taken care of it. The ST2 is more "involved" in terms of inputs and the ability to change lines but I don't see that has a negative. I feel comfortable and in control with both. FWIW, I'm putting new rubber on next week so I expect some of the effort I'm experiencing cornering the ST2 to go away.

I like both bikes and both brands quite a bit. They're different. And it seems to me that you get what you pay for in both cases.

 

[gumby]

Test road both in '06 and bought the Sprint. More power, better handling and smoother.

 

[macduck]

ST vs.Sprint

I had a chance to demo the newest Sprint 1150 this spring at Barber, only 20 miles of backroads. I liked it very much, very smooth, nice looking and w / 3 under the seat, I would love to hear one with some CF exhausts.
I have had a half dozen Ducati ST's , ST4s, ST4, ST2. I am back on the ST2 because it is smoother and less maintanence the the 4v, and I use it for the mileage runs, but I have a modified , stripped down, naked ST4 and satisfy my road burning and quick wearing sticky tires on it, so I don't feel like I am wasting them on the freeway.
I can own both these bikes for under $8k, but if I had to choose one bike only, the Sprint ST becomes very interesting.
The only other thing is the low re-sale on Triumph's they don't deserve, best deals are buying low mileage used ones and saving big.

 

[klindsey]

Things I lost in the fire

It was a very bad day. I liked the triumph (2005) but as has already been pointed out here the suspension and brakes on the ST4 are monumentally better.

 

[captaingumby]

I have both. The handling is for me a toss up. I have however noticed that the chicken strips on the Ducati are thiner. So it looks like I have more trust in it. The sound is something for me the Ducati at idle sounds so good. The Triumph sounds best at 7000 RPM+. Bottom line Love them both. I say either is a great bike.

 

[bruce19]

I have always had the Sprint on my list of possible replacements due to its engine and similar "Sports" bias and good looks but have been disuaded by the huge difference in height between rider/pillion , build quality and reports of huge oil consumption and pretty average fuel consumption as well.

I can't comment on the 1050 motor but my '04 (955 motor) Sprint RS never used oil, had zero issues in 4 yrs. of ownership (approx. 20K miles) and got 50 mpg riding 2-up with camping gear on a trip from CT to OH.

 

[greggkirby]

I noticed.................

............2 different people said "1150". I thought it was a 1050. Did I miss something?
Gregg

 

[sfyamr1]

I have both. The handling is for me a toss up. I have however noticed that the chicken strips on the Ducati are thiner. So it looks like I have more trust in it. The sound is something for me the Ducati at idle sounds so good. The Triumph sounds best at 7000 RPM+. Bottom line Love them both. I say either is a great bike.

That's the spirit! Sprint's a great bike. Actually, all the Trumpets are really nice IMO. A black 675? Drool. The second they stick the 1050 motor in the 675 chassis, it's on!

I'd wager it's the weight and general dimensions between the bikes that affects the 'sportiness' of your riding between the two, more than anything else though.

Underneath the skin, the Duc is still primarily of Superbike origin.

 

[Corse1]

When My mate was looking to trade we test road the 1050 sprint on a good 150km ride. Very impressive and yes it just seemed to turn in with little input required. Really noticed the slow speed handling when doing a U turn...wow what a great steering lock compared to the ST. Power was great and for my mate who does not ride hard it was the perfect bike so he purchased one.
My S3 is so much easier to ride in the twisties and is more flickable than the ST4s. The S3 also has harder suspension than the sprint. The ST is however more planted at high speed long sweeping corners. I have raised the ride height on the ST. I have heard horror stories on oil consumption so have kept an eye on mine and after 1600km have not needed to top up yet.

Compared to the Ducati fuel consumption on the 1050 is shocking but its a fantastic motor!! Build quality of the Triumph is definately down on the Ducati.

Agree with others here when they say the Ducati is a more involved ride experience.

 

[Gearbox]

Corse1 - Where do you have your ride height set ?
Just looking for a comparison as I have felt the turn-in , once ride-height has been reset , to be a good compromise between stability and agility.
Of course its a very subjective matter and can change depending on tyres and the owners preference.
(Pilot Powers definitely help improve speed of steering but are bit too short lived for me)
One thing that doesn't change , of course , is the terrible steering lock of course !