Here is a prerelease photo of the 1999 Triumph Sprint ST. Nice...
I predict that this will be the 1999 Motorcycle of the Year. I know it's not Italian, but it is seeming to be the best all around motorcycle, as the Honda VFR is considered for 1998. The new Sprint is a great new sport bike that is comfortable for touring AND! it has hard, lockable, removable bags. If you want to do some sport riding, you can remove the bags and the silencer can be raised for greater ground clearance (similar to the Ducati ST2). It is totally redesigned from last year's Sprint. This one has a new twin-spar frame, new red or black dress, and a fuel-injected 955cc engine borrowed from the T595 Daytona, but re-tuned for optimum mid-range performance.
With this bike, Triumph brings to a motorcycle the technology of a sophisticated engine management system combined with on-board diagnostics. This same technology has been used in cars for years. It is aimed at beating Honda's VFR. But, if Triumph factory claims are correct, with less weight, more horse-power, and great bags as well as other niceties like heated grips being offered, I think it is a definite VFR beater.
Be sure to see Eric Sheley's ST page (link below) for all the current ST reviews. Also, the March '99 editions of Cycle World and Rider have reviews of the ST.
