Journeyman
"And this one is just right" ~ Goldilocks
First of all, welcome from western North Carolina. Here's my 2 cents...
I like that both the '06 (I previously owned) and my present '11 Roadster can go from a touring setup and back very easily. When not road tripping my Roadster is stripped down and sports a single seat, but quickly converts to a touring design with accessories when needed.
I ran the Roadster from western NC to Baton Rouge, LA (~780 miles) and back. I did the return trip in one day and can say that the Roadster was more comfortable than the 2013 BMW R1200RT I had before I got the Rockets.
I think the choice is primarily about riding position. I prefer sitting more upright and feeling more in control, especially when having fun on the back roads. Spend the time to find out which model suits you best and I guarantee you'll be very happy with your chosen Rocket 3.
@beachpatrick >I see a few hundred Harleys per day (I work within one mile of Daytona Beach HD) and I want something that no one else has (locally at least).<
I'm the only Rocket in this neck of the woods and the big WNC Harley dealership is literally 2 miles from my house. 99% of those guys don't even know what they're looking at when I go by. Sounds like $ is not an issue for you- if not, I'd have the Carpenter system too, but I certainly don't feel I need it to stand out from the Harley groupies. If one of those unsuspecting HD guys wants to play, your stock Rocket will educate them easily enough. But how much, I guess, depends on the extra mods and what kind of teacher you are...
I like that both the '06 (I previously owned) and my present '11 Roadster can go from a touring setup and back very easily. When not road tripping my Roadster is stripped down and sports a single seat, but quickly converts to a touring design with accessories when needed.
I ran the Roadster from western NC to Baton Rouge, LA (~780 miles) and back. I did the return trip in one day and can say that the Roadster was more comfortable than the 2013 BMW R1200RT I had before I got the Rockets.
I think the choice is primarily about riding position. I prefer sitting more upright and feeling more in control, especially when having fun on the back roads. Spend the time to find out which model suits you best and I guarantee you'll be very happy with your chosen Rocket 3.
@beachpatrick >I see a few hundred Harleys per day (I work within one mile of Daytona Beach HD) and I want something that no one else has (locally at least).<
I'm the only Rocket in this neck of the woods and the big WNC Harley dealership is literally 2 miles from my house. 99% of those guys don't even know what they're looking at when I go by. Sounds like $ is not an issue for you- if not, I'd have the Carpenter system too, but I certainly don't feel I need it to stand out from the Harley groupies. If one of those unsuspecting HD guys wants to play, your stock Rocket will educate them easily enough. But how much, I guess, depends on the extra mods and what kind of teacher you are...