Comments on: Reflections on the Triumph Sprint GT1050

By: Touring Motorcycle exhausts

Touring Motorcycle exhausts — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 12:23:16 +0000

I just imagined a person of your height on that Triumph! I feel you when you say you had to actually stretch your neck to see the road and your hips pained! Its funny though!
But am glad you finally got used to it and found some positive components about the Triumph!

By: slugsgomoo

slugsgomoo — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 17:51:43 +0000

I think part of it for the younger crowd is definitely cost, and insurance. Consider that most kids go out and buy a 600cc sportbike that they total within the first year (especially if they're unlicensed or haven't taken the MSF), and insurance rates can equal the cost of the bike in the first year. ;)

As far as the riding position, I can definitely see it being an issue on longer rides, but you can at least avoid one problem when you get on your next sporty type bike.

If you feel pressure on your wrists, try to flap your arms like a chicken. If your elbows can't flap around, it means you're leaning on your hands, which is a big no-no in sport biking. partly because it'll cause fatigue, numbness and sore wrists. Partly because it reduces the control you have. The weight of your upper body really needs to be held with your thighs/abs/lower back, and once you find out how that whole combo works for you, comfort shoots through the roof.

When I first started riding my 'busa a few years back I'd have shoulder pain in like 100 miles, but after getting things figured out I could ride all day. With the triumph (speed triple) now it's pretty great, though my knees complain at 650 mile days on a sportbike anymore. ;)

By: irondad

irondad — Wed, 29 Dec 2010 16:03:05 +0000

The Sprint would be on my short list of bikes. Maybe there is an advantage of being short ( 5'81/2" ), after all. I put a lot of miles on my son's Honda VFR and enjoy it.

Interesting to think of you being comfortable on the Vespa. I would naturally think that a tall guy on a scooter would feel more cramped on the Vespa than the Triumph.

Weird how we get these sometimes incorrect mental pictures.

By: RichardM

RichardM — Sat, 25 Dec 2010 07:33:51 +0000

Steve:
You're right. Not many teenage riders. Even those who ride motocross seem to have no interest in riding on the street. Just about all of the riders I've seen have been over 30 with a significant percentage over 50. Could it be because a bike can't be your only vehicle in many parts of the country?

Richard

By: Orin

Orin — Fri, 24 Dec 2010 20:54:11 +0000

I've noticed riders of sportbikes tend not to be suburban white kids. But then, the parents of suburban white kids see terrorists and pedophiles around every corner, and schlep the kids around in their minivans or SUVs, to each appointment in their kids' over-scheduled lives. Probably not the kind of upbringing that would cause one to want a motorcycle.

I wonder if the industry has thought about this? Probably not...

__Orin
Scootin' Old Skool

By: Charlie6

Charlie6 — Fri, 24 Dec 2010 20:47:28 +0000

Thanks Steve for confirming for me what I've always suspected of the crotch rocket riding position.

Merry Christmas to you and yours....

dom

Redleg's Rides

Colorado Motorcycle Travel Examiner

By: Steve Williams

Steve Williams — Fri, 24 Dec 2010 20:12:47 +0000

RichardM: your comments have me realizing that there aren't any teenaged sportbike riders commenting here. In fact I can't remember even seeing a teenager pn a motorcycle.

Every kid wanted a motorcycle when I was growing up. That's not the case anymore.

By: Steve Williams

Steve Williams — Fri, 24 Dec 2010 20:08:57 +0000

Mike: I have the feeling that sportbikes are for athletes or people who have the ability to be athletic. Counts me out for both reasons.

By: RichardM

RichardM — Fri, 24 Dec 2010 03:45:44 +0000

Nice test report. I can sympathize with the early comments on riding position. I have never been attracted to the sport bikes though they do seem to be very popular. I'm just getting old and not very flexible.

I've heard lot of good things about the Triumphs but we don't have a local dealer. I tried sitting on one of the S1000RR bikes last summer but it just didn't feel very comfortable.

Merry Christmas!
Richard

By: Mike

Mike — Fri, 24 Dec 2010 02:27:32 +0000

Just to sit on a sport bike for a few minutes at a dealer I can tell I wouldn’t last long. But they sure look cool! I keep sitting on a BMW R1000SS. Now that’s one you should try! Nice report – thank you.

Merry Christmas!