2009 Triumph Sprint ST Review

Introduction

Triumph builds the Sprint ST as a gathering up serious miles motorcycle with sports credentials and touring-like accommodations, allowing the distinctive looking two-wheeler to stand out as an unbeatable package and nobody saw it coming.

Speed Triple’s grunt comes from a 1050cc, liquid-cooled, DOHC, inline three cylinder engine which is fuel injected and mates to a six-speed tranny, just like most sport-touring engines do. Apparently, Triumph starts with the handicap of having only three pistons, but that’s just a false opinion that people get by simply going through the specs sheet and not actually seeing, hearing and riding the bike. In fact, the bike’s 125bhp at 9,250 rpm and 77ft.lbf at 7,500 rpm are exactly what it needs considering the 474 lbs dry weight (469 lbs in the case of the ABS model) and the purpose of creation.

So it clearly doesn’t address to riders who want the latest and most powerful model out there, but to those with plans of long trips involving a passenger and luggage. That’s why the seat is such an important factor and also the sidebags.

2009 Triumph Sprint ST

Built around an aluminum beam perimeter frame and having a seat height of 31.7 inches, the ST is a good bike to commute on every day to work and get a preview of what the weekend’s bringing. The sidebags are, of course, detachable and the suspensions adjustable. You’ll be riding on Triumph’s best suspension package composed from a 43mm cartridge fork with dual rate springs and adjustable preload and a rear monoshock with adjustable preload and rebound and compression damping. A Triumph characteristic that couldn’t miss on the Speed Triple is the single-sided aluminum alloy swingarm supporting a stylish rear wheel that looks best from the right rider side.

No doubts about it, the Triumph Sprint ST can brake as fast and efficiently as it runs due to the twin 320mm floating discs, 4-piston caliper front braking system and the single 255mm disc, 2-piston caliper rear one. ABS is also available for a special price, completing the overall unbeatable package and proving once again that safety is a prior factor at Triumphs.

2008 Triumph Sprint ST History

Competition

2009 BMW K 1300 S

The 2009 Triumph Sprint ST may not be brand new, but the strongest competitor that it gets is. BMW launched the K 1300 S as THE machine to have if aiming for the ultimate sports tourer and that dethrones our Triumph from the proudly occupied position that gave it that much notoriety. Why is the 2009 BMW K 1300 S that good? Simply because it takes sport touring to a whole new level with a 1,293cc inline four-cylinder engine that is capable of 175 hp and 103lb/ft of torque. It’s kind of like a Hayabusa of sport tourers and the best of it is that the riding position and aerodynamics make life on board much more comfortable. ABS is standard on the BMW as well as ASC while ESA is optional.

With an MSRP of $15,250, the 2009 K 1300 S is much more expensive than the Sprint ST, but still sends this last back to the drawing board if having any intention of seriously competing with it.

Exterior

2009 Triumph Sprint ST

But even if Triumph would be determined to proudly stand against the BMW alternative, the only aspect that they’ll have to improve is their bike’s engine because, stylistically, the Sprint ST can’t be criticized.

The fairing was designed with wind protection in mind so the bike is fairly imposing compared to the usual sports models that people confuse it with. Having three headlights is a good thing to start from if planning to be distinguished from a big crowd and the Sprint ST gets that as well as much more other particularities. For instance, the screen is perfectly integrated into the front fairing and the mirrors look like two braches that grown from the fairing.

Everything feels natural and perfectly integrated in the overall design. The front wing looks like an extension of the bike’s nose while, on the sides, the fairing is as smooth as you’ll get with only a stylish pair of air vents and the ‘Sprint ST 1050’ decals. A 5.2 gallons tank requires a lot of space and that space would have normally intervened in the handlebars clearance if not for the beautiful sags that designers appealed to.

The seat is spacious, both for the rider and passenger and the underseat exhaust with three exit pipes allows for the sidebags to be mounted onto the bike’s rear end at a certain angle that we al like and so the MV-Agusta-like rear wheel can stand out anywhere and at all times.

With a range of appropriate color schemes available (Graphite, Pacific Blue, Phantom Black), the Triumph Sprint ST carries on pretty much unchanged.

2008 Triumph Sprint ST Test Ride

Price

Unlike BMW, Triumph doesn’t offer ABS as standard equipment so the price you pay for a 2009 Sprint ST varies depending on your option. The Standard model starts at $11,599 and the ABS-equipped one at $12,399.

Conclusion

Triumph can either get on with the work on their new Sprint ST model if planning not to fall that much behind the BMW K 1300 S or simply carry on producing their sport tourer as it is; a much cheaper alternative for the German ultimate one. But, as we mentioned at the beginning of this article, the Triumph Sprint ST is a gentleman’s motorcycle and too much horsepower can sometimes sound vulgar in this case.

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine and Transmission

2009 Triumph Sprint ST Engine

Type: Liquid-cooled, DOHC, in-line 3-cylinder
Capacity: 1050cc
Bore/Stroke: 79 x 71.4mm
Compression Ratio: 12.0:1
Fuel System: Multipoint sequential electronic fuel injection
Final Drive: X ring chain
Clutch: Wet, multi-plate
Gearbox: 6-speed

Chassis and Dimensions

2009 Triumph Sprint ST

Frame: Aluminum beam perimeter
Swingarm: Single-sided, aluminum alloy with eccentric chain adjuster
Front Wheel: Alloy 5 -spoke, 17 x 3.5in
Rear Wheel: Alloy 5 - spoke, 17 x 5.5in
Front Wheel: 120/70 ZR 17
Rear Tire: 180/55 ZR 17
Front Suspension: 43mm cartridge forks with dual rate springs and adjustable preload
Rear Suspension: Monoshock with adjustable preload and rebound and compression damping
Front Brakes: Twin 320mm floating discs, 4 piston caliper (ABS model available)
Rear Brakes: Single 255mm disc, 2 piston caliper
Length: 83.2in
Width (Handlebars): 29.5in
Height: 47.8in
Seat Height: 31.7in
Wheelbase: 57.4in
Rake/Trail: 24 degree/90mm
Weight (Dry): 474lbs (ABS model: 469lbs)
Fuel Tank Capacity: 5.2 gal

Features

Engine: The Sprint ST houses a fantastic 1050cc fuel injected three-cylinder engine, the very essence of what makes a Triumph special. The engine has huge reserves of torque and horsepower. Peak power is an impressive 125bhp at 9250rpm while peak torque of 77ft.lbf arrives at just 7500rpm. Enhancing the engine is a smooth six-speed gearbox and clutch fitted with an anti-backlash gear. The Sprint ST comes with Triumph’s Keihin ECU offering sophisticated mapping for quicker starting, cleaner running and fuel economic engine.

Seat: The supportive, spacious seat and relaxed rider and pillion ergonomics make for great comfort on long distance trips.

Screen: The Sprint ST screen gives great wind protection for those long journeys without obscuring your view around town.

Headlights: Sharp styling without compromise; the Sprint ST’s three projector lamps give the bike a distinctive look.

Sidebags: Color matched, factory designed, waterproof hard sidebags are fitted as standard and are lockable with the bike’s ignition key. To further increase carrying capacity you can add a matching top box from Triumph’s wide range of accessories.

ABS: Triumph’s Antilock Braking System has been carefully designed to boost control under hard braking, working on both wheels independently. This unobtrusive system retains all the sensations of riding, operating at 100 calculations per second to sense the precise moment the wheel is about to lock up, then preventing it from doing so. The system has been specifically tailored to the Sprint ST, with painstaking calibration over many months to ensure optimum braking performance.