885 Triumph Sprint - anybody ever own one?

[cyclenutk75]

Just made arrangements to test ride a 96 Triumph Sprint tomorrow afternoon.  No worries - I'm not selling the FJ (ever).  Only 5533 miles on it, excellent condition, one owner, factory hard luggage.  Problem is, I know nothing about the modern Triumphs.  Anyone out there know of any perculiarities, problems, etc. with the 885-era triples?  With less than 6k miles it obviously has sat idle much of it's 15 years, so will look for signs of long-term storage, but beyond that, any advice beyond the usual stuff?  The price is right, so have to at least check it out.  Gotta get a second bike - I get the heebie jeebies every time the FJ is on the lift for more than a day.

Sorry bout the short notice.  The guy took so long to get back to me I thought it was already sold.  Figured it was worth a try to get some last minute advice.  Thanks in advance.

GT

[Arnie]

I've ridden (not owned) several of the Triumph triples and they've all had lovely engines, smooth, power from any rpm, and strong.  Parts are a bit pricey, but the bikes are generally reliable.  I've only heard of minor problems with any of them.

Arnie

[Dan Filetti]

I'd go for a later model Triumph.  I rode one of this mid-ninties Sprints, and it was a real pig in the corners.  Power was decent, but clearly no FJ, the ergo's were good though.

I would read about them, I think I remember hearing that that had oiling issues, resulting in shorter engine life -check me on that...

Good Luck!

Dan

[cyclenutk75]

Thanks for the input, fellers.  I scoured the web last night and found the engine consistently described as pretty bullet proof.  Biggest complaint was handling - described as "top heavy".  I'm very experienced with top heavy having put about 50k miles on an early BMW oil head RT.  However, I'm just looking for something that I can ride if the FJ is down, and it's looking like I may be able to pick this up for  under 2 grand.  Owner describes it as excellent condition and it looks so in the pics - but I'm sure you all know how that goes.  Motorcycle Consumer News values a 97 sprint at $1670.  They didn't have a value on the 96.  Definitely worth a look.  Thanks again.

GT

[cyclenutk75]

Well guys, I'm back from the ride.  The sprint was not excellent cosmetically - lots of scratches, dent in tank, small tear in seat.  Mechanically it was far from excellent - #1 carb dripping gas, evidence of #3 leaking, tires cracked, chain loose and neglected, clutch mc fluid orange (couldn't even see through it).  The tank looked clean inside but the gas was cloudy.  The bike ran, but I could only ride it in a residential allotment as the tag had expired over a year ago.  Had to muscle it through every turn - tire pressure obviously very low.  Although the engine seemed to run well everything considered, it put me in mind of a BMW F800 twin I rode once.  Pretty hard to judge the potential since I never got it over 45 mph and 3rd gear.  First gear is very tall - stalled it once from a stop.  The riding position was exactly what I'm looking for - slightly more upright than the FJ.  I pointed out all the defects,  made the guy a rediculusly low offer and told him to call me if nobody else wanted it and he'd sell it low.  Pissed him off.  I'm sure some dork will come along and think it's cool and make him a better offer.

[SlowOldGuy]

The riding position was exactly what I'm looking for - slightly more upright than the FJ. 

If you want something more upright, then look at a first generation ('01 to '05) FZ1.  Mine was too upright so I installed the lower bar mounts to make it more FJ-like.

DavidR.

[cyclenutk75]

Thanks, David.  That's one that I keep an eye out for, but never seems to come available within a reasonable distance from home.  How's the insurance rate on the FZ?  I was shocked when quoted full coverage for the 89 FJ when I first bought it.  Ended up going with liability and comprehensive only.  At one time I insured an 88 bmw k75s, a 96 bmw r1100rt and an 03 suzuki sv650, all full coverage, for a total of about $450 a year.  They wanted more than that for just the FJ.  Good Lord, I'm 55 and have a spotless driving record!  Oh, there was that one speeding ticket on the k75.  All of a sudden insurance is something I check out before I buy a bike!

GT

[SlowOldGuy]

Here's my take on insurance.  My bikes are for pleasure only.  I don't commute on them.  Therefore I only carry state mandated liability insurance.  Chances are if I'm involved in an "incident" it's going to be of the single vehicle variety (I crash).  My bad so I am willing to foot the bill for any damage.  Besides no insurance company would ever give me what I think my FJ is worth.

I stay away from heavy traffic when possible and make sure I keep an eye on the bike when I'm parked.  This doesn't work for everyone, but if I consider myself to be "self-insured" for the last 26 years to the tune of $500 a year, I've saved up more than enough money to go buy whatever I want.  

I currently pay about $150 per year total for liability coverage on 2 FJs and 1 FZ1 through Dairyland/Progressive.

DavidR.

[cyclenutk75]

Here's my take on insurance.  My bikes are for pleasure only.  I don't commute on them.  Therefore I only carry state mandated liability insurance.  Chances are if I'm involved in an "incident" it's going to be of the single vehicle variety (I crash).  My bad so I am willing to foot the bill for any damage.  Besides no insurance company would ever give me what I think my FJ is worth.

Right on, brother.  Sound philosphy that I've pretty much adopted.  Just gotta get that second bike as a back up.

GT