2011 Triumph Sprint GT Review

2011 Triumph Sprint GT – Triumph has built its share of extravagant bikes-the “Nuclear Red” Speed Triple jumps to mind, as does the Rocket III in any color. The Sprint GT is not one of those bikes. This heavily modified Grand Touring version of the old Sprint ST is an advanced machine that covers its strong performance behind a cloak of reserved classiness. Though it seems similar to the old ST, the GT is new from the fuel tank back, and substantially modified everywhere else. The result is a motorcycle that keeps the sporting abilities of the ST, with better passenger accommodations, improved carrying capacity and advanced performance all around.

2011 Triumph Sprint G is powered by a 1050cc l-c inline-triple engine developing 128 bhp at 9200rpm and 80lb ft at 6300rpm. A conventional side-mount muffler replaces the ST’s underseat exhaust, making room for a longer, lower subframe to increase passenger comfort and restore underseat storage capacity. This new subframe carries standard-equipment saddlebags, now expanded from 22 to 31 liters and big enough to hold even the largest helmet. The cast-aluminum rack is also standard, and pre-wired to accept an optional 55-liter top box that features a built-in 12-volt power socket to charge gadgets on the fly.

The suspension isn’t especially advanced, but calibration is spot-on; plush enough for enjoyable traveling but responsive enough for sensible, high-speed sport riding, too. The old, right-side-up cartridge fork stays, but damping rates have been raised to effectively remove the previous version’s excessive dive under braking. The single-sided swingarm is 3.1 inches longer to boost stability under a heavy load, and a firmer shock now offers 30 clicks of remote preload adjustment to easily accommodate solo or two-up rides. The braking system-another weak link on the ST-has likewise been addressed.