October 2024
I’d been on the hunt for a replacement for Vera, my trusty Honda VFR 800, for a few months. Uncharacteristically, I was taking my time—waiting for that magical moment when the bike would appear like a vision sent from the motorcycle gods. And, lo and behold, it finally happened! While browsing the dangerously addictive ukgser.com forum (you know, just for a “quick look”), I stumbled upon a For Sale ad that had me hooked faster than you can say “rev limiter.” I’ve always had a soft spot for Triumph Sprint STs—I mean, I’ve owned two of the 955cc models, so you could say it’s a bit of a love affair. But I’d been dreaming of the newer 1050cc version for a while now, and here it was, practically winking at me through the screen.
After a quick message to the seller, which felt like a scene from a rom-com with all the back-and-forth messaging, I finally agreed to make the 30-mile trek north to check out the bike. When I arrived, it was love at first sight—like a scene out of a motorcycle-themed fairy tale! This bike looked so stunning that even brand new showroom models might have shed a tear of jealousy. Seriously, it was a massive credit to its owner, who clearly had a talent for motorcycle pampering.
I think the seller could smell my smitten state from a mile away, and after a bit of negotiation (read: my best puppy dog eyes), we struck a deal, and just like that, I was the proud new owner!
The 100-mile ride home was everything I had dreamed it would be. The bike felt like an extension of my very soul—light and nimble, especially after wrestling my R1200GS. And that 1050cc engine? Pure magic! I might have even let out a little giggle of joy.
