A beer, a bike and ride to a sun-soaked lunchtime at a country pub is a tempting combination, especially when the bike is a Triumph Sprint ST.

The throaty, sexy-sounding sports tourer turned heads as I pulled up outside the Bath Arms in Cheddar.

Easy to manoeuvre at low speeds in pub car parks or narrow lanes where a u-turn might be required, the latest manifestation of British biking is a joy to ride.

With a chunky 1050cc, 123bhp triple, you've got a lot of power and torque allowing you to overtake at will on the open road in any gear.

It's the sort of bike that cries out to be ridden – even if the weather's foul. I rode it in all weathers during wintry May when temperatures dropped to near freezing and I once rode to work in a gale-force rain storm.

For starters, the weight and riding height prevent any feeling of being blown around by cross winds, and the windshield and design keep the worst of the elements at bay.

In fact, if you hug the tank you feel quite snug with the heat of the engine keeping your knees insulated. The bike also features optional heated hand grips – something that many bikers choose in order to be able to wear lighter gloves and to be more in tune with their machine.

My various pillion passengers, from my 13-year-old daughter Milly to hefty drinking partners, all found the rear seat fine, and the passenger grip handles useful. They didn't seem to effect the ride or the ability of the bike to simply take off, leaving dawdling cars standing at the lights.

It's not a new bike. The Sprint's been around for several years, but this is its newest version. It's larger, with a higher specification and is somewhat faster, with a top speed of well in excess of 100mph.

So why buy a sports tourer, and in particular the Triumph Sprint ST? For a certain generation they look like a real motorbike. With its slinky riding position, large tank and sleek styling, the bike looks more like a sports bike than a tourer.

Once you ride it though, the comfort of the riding position means you could happily ride it for hours, or in my case, making an enjoyable tour of local hostelries for a refreshing half a sandy on a sunny day.

Our steer on the Triumph Sprint ST

The throaty, sexy sounding engine, stable and comfortable ride, fabulous turn of speed and powerful brakes, all for under £8k, make it a winner,

Fact file

Engine type: Liquid-cooled, three-cylinder, four stroke.

Engine size: 1050cc.

Gearbox: Six speed.

Length: 83inches.

Seat Height: 47.8inches.

Weight: 462lbs.

Fuel tank: 20l.

Colours: black, blue, red.

Optional extra: ABS brakes.

On the road price: £7,999.