Road – Triumph Sprint GT 1050: GT sport must go on – Real differences from the start

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Triumph Sprint GT 1050: GT sport must go on

Road - Triumph Sprint GT 1050: GT sport must go on - Real differences from the start

In 2010, the Triumph Sprint ST was supported by a GT version, more geared towards tourism: the lines, engine and suspensions were revised, ABS was fitted as standard and the suitcases gained in volume … The return of true Sport GT in short ? Test.

Real differences from the start

Admittedly, the differences between the GT and the ST among the non-experts of the brand are not immediately obvious. However, when setting off, we quickly notice a big difference: the capacity of the suitcases !

While the ST made it easy to escape for a weekend in Normandy (rain suits, anti-theft, clothing, shoes, toothbrushes, livarot, pont-l’Évêque and camembert, read our), the GT offers the possibility of going on vacation for longer thanks to its 22 liters of additional capacity !

We also appreciate that once arrived at destination, during walks on site, the suitcases of the GT accommodate the full-face helmets, large gloves and other personal effects of the two travelers. They then take full advantage of the breaks, hands in pockets or hand in hand … As long as it doesn’t rain, as in this sad mid-August 2010 !

The suitcase locking and unlocking system is effective but be careful, you have to press the lever fully to be able to open the trunks. Perfectly waterproof and equipped with elastic straps, the suitcases would have obtained an "A +" if the right clip had not released when opening, causing the fall of a helmet and a camera…

Real suitcases

Still on the practical side, the GT is equipped with the same storage compartment as the ST: narrow but very deep, the "vehicle papers please" can be easily inserted into it. Too bad, however, that the key lock is compulsory: at the toll booths so as not to have to cut the engine, you take your credit card out of the jacket … In addition, the absence of a hinge and the quality of the plastic are a little " cheap ".

In good self-respecting road, handling the Sprint GT is not the most obvious. First of all, you have to step over the big suitcases, then lower the motorcycle from its central stand: the back stroke must be clear and accompanied if necessary by a good push from the shoulders..

The new Sprint then arises on suspensions that we can already guess comfortable. Equally welcoming, the saddle offers a soft and relatively wide seat. 10 mm higher than the ST (815 mm for the GT), this saddle still allows the majority of riders to touch the feet on the ground. A good point when the passenger decides to get on !

The "co-pilot" enjoys equally good comfort. Compared to the ST, it no longer dominates the situation as much but still sees ahead and also has more ergonomic grab handles. Whether you are at the front or the rear, the position of the body remains a suspicion more "sporty" than "GT". We love more or less, we can even fully adhere, but we do not castigate…

Small modification which deserves that we dwell on it because it has a big consequence: the lug of the side stand has been moved! Very annoying to deploy on the ST – 2009 in any case -, the side is a joy to put on and take off on the GT. Nice job !

More discreet

Once the engine has started, we can see the merits of the new exhaust: admittedly it now hides the superb rear rim, it is less sexy in its look and less heady in its vocalizations than that of the ST … But along muffler has the merit of better matching the "GT" program of the Triumph. Passenger who is too sensitive to the eardrum can remove the earplugs he was wearing on the ST.

On the other hand, Triumph obliges, the mechanics always make too much noise: we plague especially against this omnipresent whistling of the Triple. On this point, the English still have work to do to "Geteiser" – to make it more discreet in short – their 1050.

Conversely, the new design of the fairing sides seems to be effective: the engine heat is better dissipated and the hot air flow hits the pilot’s legs less directly. However, in summer … with hot temperatures !

We are initially happy that the levers, brake like the clutch, are adjustable … Unfortunately, unless you have the paws of Richard Kiel – "Shark" in James Bond -, we do not really benefit of this adjustment: set to the minimum, the levers are already quite apart.

Soft – for the displacement – and progressive, the clutch makes it possible to launch the motorcycle smoothly despite a first report always too long to circulate in step in the traffic jams. We realize in these same difficult traffic conditions that the steering of the Sprint remains insufficient..

Similarly, like the ST, the GT is devoid of Warning. No really, the Sprint is not cut for the city. Direction the road and the highway so !

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