THE VERDICT

Both are right – the Sprint ST was the better bike then; the average VFR will be in better shape now. But it’s far easier to sort tired suspension than to bring the Honda’s engine up to the Triumph’s level of seamless torque. Just factor in a few hundred quid to freshen a Sprint’s decade-old fork oil and swap its shock for something custom-set for your weight and needs and then you’ll have the best of both worlds.