The Sprint is definitely not a beginner bike! Even the oldest Sprint has an 885cc triple that produces over 80hp in its mildest state of tune. Most 885's are more powerful than that. A modern Sprint uses a 1050cc triple that produces 125hp. Not for beginners!camthepyro wrote:My MSF instructor had a Triumph Sprint that was used as a touring bike, I think those come in 600cc, but I could be wrong.
Touring Bike for a Beginner?
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jstark47
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2003 Triumph Trophy 1200
2009 BMW F650GS (wife's)
2012 Triumph Tiger 800
2018 Yamaha XT250 (wife's)
2013 Kawasaki KLX250S
2009 BMW F650GS (wife's)
2012 Triumph Tiger 800
2018 Yamaha XT250 (wife's)
2013 Kawasaki KLX250S
How about alternatives? Many beginner-friendly bikes can be adapted to touring.
Ninja 250 -- There are people who put 500-1000 miles a day on these bikes with camping gear and whatever else strapped to the back. Not two-up... but if you got one for the wife you'd still have better mileage than most tourers, a lot more cargo than most (any?) tourers, and if you dropped the bike she wouldn't automatically fall with you... a lot safer IMO. You'll pay less for two of these than one standard touring bike.
KLR650 -- No, it isn't a traditional touring bike... but people tour thousands of miles on them, there are good aftermarket seats, luggage, etc. I'm not sure about two-up comfort, but I hear that people do it.
V-Strom 650 -- this is designed as an adventure touring bike... good luggage is available, and it would be good for solo or two-up riding. They are considered marginally acceptable 1st bikes.
I'm sure there are many others.
Ninja 250 -- There are people who put 500-1000 miles a day on these bikes with camping gear and whatever else strapped to the back. Not two-up... but if you got one for the wife you'd still have better mileage than most tourers, a lot more cargo than most (any?) tourers, and if you dropped the bike she wouldn't automatically fall with you... a lot safer IMO. You'll pay less for two of these than one standard touring bike.
KLR650 -- No, it isn't a traditional touring bike... but people tour thousands of miles on them, there are good aftermarket seats, luggage, etc. I'm not sure about two-up comfort, but I hear that people do it.
V-Strom 650 -- this is designed as an adventure touring bike... good luggage is available, and it would be good for solo or two-up riding. They are considered marginally acceptable 1st bikes.
I'm sure there are many others.
Ride it like you think owning it matters.
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Andrew
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As an update, I'm leaning toward going with a midsized cruiser (Suzuki C50), and just adding the accesories I need so I can make long trips.
That being said, I really like the BMW bikes, and the dealership here is selling a 2000 R1100RT for about 7k. If I weren't a beginner, I would go buy it tomorrow, but after reading this forum for a couple weeks, it seems conventional wisdom says that is too many CCs.
Does the R1100RT qualify as a sports bike? Could I learn to handle it without killing myself first?
That being said, I really like the BMW bikes, and the dealership here is selling a 2000 R1100RT for about 7k. If I weren't a beginner, I would go buy it tomorrow, but after reading this forum for a couple weeks, it seems conventional wisdom says that is too many CCs.
Does the R1100RT qualify as a sports bike? Could I learn to handle it without killing myself first?