Reviews/ Triumph/ Sprint St 1050
Triumph Sprint St 1050
8.5/10 Sport

Triumph Sprint St 1050 Review

"The best used sport-tourer under five grand, full stop."

Experienced riders wanting affordable, capable sport-touring $3,500-$7,500 used 2005-2013
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Used Buyer Review

The Sprint ST 1050 is one of Triumph's genuinely underrated machines — a proper sport-tourer that does both jobs without compromise. That triple engine is the real story here. Smooth, torquey, and with a sound that puts inline-fours to shame, it pulls hard from 3,000rpm and doesn't quit until the redline. Handling is sharp enough to embarrass sportbikes on real roads, and the ergonomics actually make sense for longer hauls. Buying used, watch the front suspension — these forks go soft and rebuilding them isn't cheap. Check the throttle bodies for sync issues, which cause that annoying low-speed hunting. Service history matters enormously here; the 2008-2012 bikes had a few cam chain tensioner concerns that need verifying. ABS versions command a premium but are genuinely worth chasing. Panniers fitted from factory are a lottery — inspect the mounting points carefully for stress cracks.

Pros

+Triple engine is spectacular
+Genuinely comfortable long-distance
+Sharp, adjustable handling
+Strong parts availability
+Competitive used pricing

Cons

-Forks need frequent attention
-Throttle bodies can hunt
-Heavy for city riding
-Cam chain tensioner history
warning
Avoid if

You want lightweight, low-maintenance urban commuting

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