First riding the Sprint ST

While this machine is still strange to me, comparisons with the Bandit 600 are very clear. This bike feels SOLID and in some ways its what I expected from a big bike and what the Bandit doesn’t deliver. I never really got used to the Bandit’s high revving motor. One touch on its throttle for example and the engine whines at high speed and first gear is just for getting going and many times I tried to move up into an imaginary 7th gear. Riding on the Sprint and you are aware that there are pistons going up and down and creating a great deal of power and forward motion. The throttle isn’t on some hair trigger. The clutch and gear change are both much heavier and this can lead to a tired hand in traffic. Out on the motorway, there is just so much willing power to spare. Cruising at 80 is entirely comfortable and 90 feels no different at all. Getting up to 100 which I think I did just feels like driving – on the Bandit it felt like a real event and not very comfortable. Riding all day? Hmm. My shoulder was hurting after 45 minutes but eased off. There seem to be more riding positions than available on the Bandit: you can ride with bent or straight arms and that helps. Other nice things: it has a fuel gauge and an auxiliary power socket. What I don’t like: as one review said, the mirrors give you a great view of your shoulders, and I noticed that the the fork oil is leaking when I arrived home. What next? A service, new fork oil seal, a luggage rack and a tank bag, a Scottoiler and maybe get the headlights rewired so that they both come on. two-bikes.jpg