Triumph Sprint GT

Five years after the introduction of the popular Triumph Sprint ST sportstourer comes a new model from the British marque pushing a much higher level of practicality: the Triumph Sprint GT.

Performance is taken care of by an updated version of Triumph's 1050cc triple. First introduced in the 2005 Sprint ST, the latest incarnation of the triple has been updated to deliver increased power, torque and usability. There's a claimed 130hp at 9200rpm on hand, with development focused on power delivery in the mid-range rather than chasing peak power. Peak torque is now 108Nm, delivered 1200rpm lower in the rev range.

The GT has a 20lt fuel tank, which Triumph claims will be good for 320km-plus between stops. For open road use, a sixth gear which is seven per cent taller than the ST should help things out in that regard.

The Spring GT also has 31lt panniers, ABS as standard, underseat storage, and an optional top box capable of housing two full-sized helmets and offering a 12-volt power supply to allow 'on the go' charging of electrical items such as laptops and mobile phones.

Compared to the more sporting ST, the GT is all new from behind the fuel tank, while up front it incorporates a number of updates to create a new bike with a different attitude and feeling for both rider and pillion.

The GT features better performing reflector headlights, and a new internal mounting system for the mirrors has been introduced to give a clearer view at speed, while the cockpit itself has been restyled to give a sharper and more contemporary look.

In the cockpit, riders will find a comprehensive three-dial instrument panel with an analogue speedometer and tachometer, while the third dial hosts the readout for the onboard computer, where the rider can scroll through fuel consumption, range-to-empty, journey time, average speed and clock functions.

Further major differences can be found at the rear of the bike. The ST's underseat exhaust has been replaced by a traditional side-mounted system, with the new triangular section silencer mounted under the right-side pannier to free up enough underseat storage space.

The GT has a lower seat and footpegs compared to the Sprint ST, while the built-in luggage rack comes with grab handles as standard.

A new rear wheel is 1kg lighter than the visually identical item on the ST, and both front and rear wheels are shod with Bridgestone's dual compound BT021 tyre.

The GT's longer single-sided swingarm creates a 1537mm wheelbase (compared to 1457mm of the Sprint ST), while the twin-spar aluminium beam frame is carried over from the Sprint ST. The 43mm forks have received updated internals for improved control and damping, and the rest of the chassis is new.

Rear wheel mass has been reduced by 1kg for less unsprung weight, while the tyres are Bridgestone BT021 dual compound items.

The new exhaust system lowers the centre of gravity when compared to the ST's underseat system, and the new subframe creates a more practical rear end and the only body panels carried over from the sporting ST are the fuel tank and fairing lowers. The Sprint GT also features a newly designed centre stand for improved ease of operation.

Up front, twin 320mm floating discs are grabbed by four-piston calipers with a single 255mm disc at the rear. Triumph's ABS system, an option on the Tiger 1050 and Sprint ST, has been updated and is standard fitment on the Sprint GT.

Brakes have been revised with lighter discs, more rigidly mounted for greater durability, and a new brake pad formulation which is claimed to provide greater feel and approximately 10 per cent increase in braking performance.

Accessory options include a gargantuan 55lt 'powered' top box, which has a built-in 12-volt power socket that allows the recharging of electrical items such as mobile phones and notebook computers while on the go. With built-in electrical contact points, the top box requires no electrical wiring by the rider for true 'plug and play' practicality.

The top box is also colour coded and operated by the ignition key, and is available with an optional inner liner.

Other accessories include heated handlebar grips, a taller aero screen, a gel comfort seat and magnetic tank bags which can increase the Sprint GT's luggage capacity by a further 30lt. The Triumph Sprint GT will be available in two colour options: Aluminium Silver or Pacific Blue.