The Triumph Sprint ST is a sports tourer built by Triumph between 1999 and 2010. Its 955 cc three-cylinder engine grew to 1050 cc in 2005, and it competed directly with the Honda VFR800 before being replaced by the Sprint GT.
Triumph Sprint at a glance
| Maker | Triumph Motorcycles, Hinckley |
|---|---|
| Production | 1999–2010 |
| Predecessor | Sprint 900 (1993–1998) |
| Engine, 1999 | 955 cc three-cylinder |
| Power, 1999 | 97 bhp, later 105 bhp |
| Power, 2002 | 118 bhp at 9100 rpm |
| Torque, 2002 | 100 Nm at 5100 rpm |
| Dry weight, 2002 | 207 kg |
| Engine, 2005 | 1050 cc, 123 hp at 9250 rpm |
| Torque, 2005 | 104 Nm at 5000 rpm |
| ABS | optional from 2006 |
| Successor | Sprint GT (2010) |
The English article covers the Sprint ST and GT; the German one explains the earlier Sprint 900.
History of the Triumph Sprint
1999: a new Sprint
The Sprint ST arrived in 1999 as a complete redesign of the Sprint 900 of 1993–1998, which had been Triumph’s first sports tourer. It used a 955 cc in-line three closely related to the engines of the Speed Triple and Daytona, slightly detuned for smoother power delivery. Claimed output was 97 bhp, later raised to 105 bhp. The chassis was an alloy beam frame with a single-sided swingarm, and the bike competed effectively against the Honda VFR800.
2002: the Lotus-assisted update
An engine revamp carried out with help from Lotus in 2002 raised output to 118 bhp at 9100 rpm and 100 Nm at 5100 rpm from a lighter engine, bringing dry weight down to 207 kg. The appearance stayed much the same as at launch.
2005: 1050 cc
In 2005 Triumph redesigned the Sprint ST around the same in-line triple, lengthening the stroke to reach 1050 cc and fitting a new fuel-injection system. Power rose to 123 hp at 9250 rpm and torque to 104 Nm at 5000 rpm. The new chassis had a shorter wheelbase, the instruments gained miles-per-gallon and miles-to-empty displays, the triple exhaust pipes were tucked under the seat, the headlights were redesigned and LED tail lights were added. Pannier mounts and anti-lock brakes, available from 2006, were offered as options.
2007–2010
For 2007 some equipment became standard, including colour-matched panniers, handlebar risers and an improved windscreen. In 2008 the composite fuel tank was replaced by a steel one of the same size and shape so that magnetic tank bags could be used; the headlamp design and footrests were also updated. Production continued until 2010, when the Sprint GT took over.
The Sprint GT
The 2010 Sprint GT was more focused on two-up touring, with a longer wheelbase, more weight and better pillion provision. The revised 1050 triple produced 128 hp at 9200 rpm and 108 Nm at 6300 rpm, helped by an uprated ECU, a side-mounted three-into-one exhaust in place of the under-seat pipes and a revised throttle body intake. Top gear was 7 per cent taller for relaxed cruising. The GT chassis was almost 6 inches longer than the ST’s, with a 1537 mm wheelbase against 1457 mm, and the bike weighed 265 kg at the kerb. It had Showa suspension, reflector headlamps, standard ABS, better panniers of 31 litres each and an optional 55-litre top box. After 2014 the GT was no longer sold outside Britain.
Design and features
- 955 cc triple — related to the Speed Triple and Daytona engines, detuned for touring.
- Bike of its generation — Motor Cycle News called the 2005 model the best sports tourer of its time.
- Under-seat exhausts — the 1050’s signature triple pipes before the GT moved them to the side.
- Practical updates — steel tank from 2008 for magnetic bags, ABS from 2006.
Triumph Sprint versions
- Sprint ST 955 (1999–2004): 97, then 105, then 118 bhp after the 2002 update.
- Sprint ST 1050 (2005–2010): 123 hp, shorter wheelbase, under-seat exhausts.
- Sprint GT (2010–): 128 hp tourer with a longer chassis and larger panniers.
The Sprint ST shares its triple with the Daytona 675 family and the Hinckley triples; other sports models are in the Triumph collection.
Sources
- Triumph Sprint ST, English Wikipedia: 955 and 1050 engines, updates, Sprint GT
- Triumph Sprint, German Wikipedia: Sprint series from 1993, Sprint 900
