Sprint First Close Encounter With A Sprint St 955i

So this afternoon was the first time that I have ever gotten close to one of these Triumphs this one was a Blue 2001 955i St Sprint with full luggae set and Triumph inner bags plus a tank bag it also has some fancy adjustable "Race Suspension" thingy on the RHS seller says it's electrically adjustable.

The bike is from Switzerland and not registered here so no chance for test ride it looks good in the listing photos but I was a bit disappointed with it's presentation it had not been cleaned and there are scratches on the tank and fairing including screen and a crack in the very front of the front mudguard.

This is what he says on his listing:-

"New import from Switzerland.
Completely original appearance, no repainted details. Excellent technical and visual condition. Adjustable suspension! Almost new discs! New battery, good tires, three suitcases and bags. 4 keys
Duty and VAT paid.
Sold with invoice, no additional notary fees"

Now that is not what he said about the taxes this afternoon???

It started easily ran smoothly revs picked up cleanly or seemed to do so to me at least it will need new tyres front dated 2014 and rear 2012 Pirelli Angel but both say made in China????? Was not aware the Pielli made their tyres in China. I did sit on bike and I would probably need risers for bars but cannot be sure until riding it the other issue is the extra costs involved it's imported but no taxes have been paid it would be sold with invoice and I woulld have to probably apply for transport plate so it could then be ridden to the KAT office for registration seller says this will probably cost anothe 800 lev on top of the purchase price (3900 lev). Here in Bulgaria you have to pay the local authorities for the privalage of buying even a used vehicle an on imports like this there is an ECO tax, import tax and VAT (Value Added Tax) which they levy on top of the other taxes so you pay tax on the tax! This extra is putting the price beyond what I wanted to spend.

He has had the bike since last September he imports them and mine was the first enquiry about it seems Triumphs are not so popular here in Bulgaria am not making a decision now as I want to see a Trophy and compare it to the Sprint and if possible get a test ride on both.There is a dealer in a town about three hours drive away that seems to have a Sprint ST and a Trophy 900 so may see if I can make arrangements to go down and look at them and possibly get a test ride.

 

Thank you I have been lurking around the Triumph forums for a while was even considering a Hinkly Triple last year when looking to get back on a bike but went with the Ducati Monster 620ie Dark in the end due to it being lighter and always wanted a Ducati but sadly it's not what I was expecting. I was thinking back to the 900SS of the late 70's as I nearly bought a new one in 79 but bought a new T140E instead. I was looking at 900 Trophys back then the listings for them at least.

The Ducati has been a learning curve and helped me back into riding after a 20+ year abscence from it but as I discovered the other week the Ducati is not good for much more than local blatting about and a 450km round trip in a day was almost crippling on it hence my looking at the Triumphs again. At 65 I am no longer a spring chicken and need more comfort.

Just checked what size tyres would be required and looked at some reviews as honestly have never heard of these tyres both Pirelli and Continental got excellent reviews and Bridgestone battlax also got prety good reiews but damn are they pricey a set of any of those would add and extra 600-800 lev on the price.

Plezier

 

Update ................ at 21.43 this evening (it's Sunday) my phone went and you could have knocked me down with a feather as it was from the seller of the 97 Trophy 900 that I wanted to look at but the chap does not speak any English and I speak very little Bulgarian ( I know should try harder but I suggest you try Bulgarian before decrying me) anyhow he had a friend with him who does speak English and we have an appointment to go and see it on Wednesday he did suggest Monday but we are tied up tomorrow so cannot do it and he is busy Tuesday so Wednesday it is. It;s another Swiss import so again not registered not ideal but I really want to get my hands on a Trophy to compare with the Sprint.

I am expecting that it will also need tyres the bike is priced at 1,278 euro the photos only show side cases no top box and no mention of soft bags the mileage is claimed to be 39,000 km so it's worth looking at it's a hour and half drive from home to see it. Of course there are the taxes to pay on it and insurance which must be allowed for. So ingers crossed I could do with a bit of better luck than have been having lately.

Plezier

 

Thank you hopefully I will be able to take and post some photos! Cannot use the phone for this as sure it takes photos but this new Motarola will not talk to the laptop but have managed to get my camera to take a charge and took some photos og the MGF I am playing with though it;s tail and error as to if the camera will play ball or not very frustrting need to replace it it needs the access door for battery and card replacing as I dropped it years ago and the hiinge broke and now the battery does not hold charge very well I bought it used bout 10 years ago. Have a nice Olympus 2100UZ but you cannot get the cards for it anymore or even a card reader for them it's uses large this cards I bought that in the very late 1990's back then it was a staggering £600 !!! it's the size of a normal SLR camaera.

Looks like I will be taken the car Wednesday as I need the sat nav to find the chap.

Plezier

 

Stupid me forgot to take the memory card our of the computer and put in the camera anyhow had a nice little ride over to neet them and look at th bike and I was impressed with it's condition and it was clean, Again it started easily and I could detect no abnormal noises and we agreed a deal they are going to service the bike and get a new pair of tyres fitted whichI am paying for as the rear is abit low on tread and the date cide in for 2004 the frint is also low on tread didn't check the date code as there s craching in the rad grooves so it needs a new one.

The deal is for delivery here then transport to KAT to sort the registration out for it and as yet I still have not ridden one ........................... Oh well brings back memories of my first Triumph back in 1979 collected a brand new T140E from the ddealer in London, friend took me up there on his bike on Saturday morning my first ride on a bike larger than my Norton 250 Jubilee was on this 750 with disc brakes front and rear another first as had never ridden with disc brakes before and through London traffic as well but managed it just as I will manage this Trophy through the city traffic from the KAT office home.

Now have to clear a space to park it.

Plezier