Rocket Year/Model - Advice

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...
 
Touring Roadster.jpg

Love that blue radiator cover set!! Did you have it done or buy it like that? Mine has a section that some chrome has rubbed off and I'd like to replace it, if possible.
Then I saw yours. Now I know what I want!!
 
Love that blue radiator cover set!! Did you have it done or buy it like that? Mine has a section that some chrome has rubbed off and I'd like to replace it, if possible.
Then I saw yours. Now I know what I want!!

I bought it on ebay new in the box for about $60-$70 as I recall last spring or summer. It had Triumph part number on the shrink wrapping. I liked it so much I bought the second one from the guy a few days later and put the box in my shop attic unopened. The first one was so well wrapped I didn't bother to check the second but perhaps I should have. My original chrome one was perfect so I also packaged it up and put it away in case someone was looking for one.

The blue is close to the Touring's dark blue color but not a perfect match. I think it looks great though and much better than the chrome. I used to describe my Classic as a massive bike following a huge chrome radiator down the highway. I think they just stand out too much, as do others. Here's a better pic of the shroud.

Shrouds.JPG
 
I disagree with Art on the Touring but he's a go fast high performance drag bike guy and I'm not. I've had both an 07 Classic Tourer (beefed up) and now an 09 Touring. I rode the 07 all over the country and up into Canada but it has the mid-frame floorboards and was extremely comfortable with my Corbin saddle. I did performance upgrades to it and it was a handful. My son has it now in Maryland. I vividly recall cracking the throttle on that thing and hanging on for dear life. What a magnificent machine it is.

The Touring is the most powerful and most comfortable touring bike I've ever ridden, plus the most beautiful. Triumph detuned it but can be brought up to high performance specs fairly easily. The ergonomics of the Roadster is not right for me. It boils down what you want to do, comfort and your riding style. One thing for sure; you can't miss on any model you buy.

R3 Classic (1408 x 1056).jpg
Touring Roadster.jpg
YES I HAVE an 09 classic and an 12 ROADSTER the classic is more comfortable with the floor boards the TOURING models are good looking but dont have the inverted fork and wider rear tire and seprate guages and dual headlights
 
26ADACB2-C531-4DA6-BA7E-0D1A70EBE01A.jpeg
I bought it on ebay new in the box for about $60-$70 as I recall last spring or summer. It had Triumph part number on the shrink wrapping. I liked it so much I bought the second one from the guy a few days later and put the box in my shop attic unopened. The first one was so well wrapped I didn't bother to check the second but perhaps I should have. My original chrome one was perfect so I also packaged it up and put it away in case someone was looking for one.

The blue is close to the Touring's dark blue color but not a perfect match. I think it looks great though and much better than the chrome. I used to describe my Classic as a massive bike following a huge chrome radiator down the highway. I think they just stand out too much, as do others. Here's a better pic of the shroud.

Shrouds.JPG
Perfect match
 
YES I HAVE an 09 classic and an 12 ROADSTER the classic is more comfortable with the floor boards the TOURING models are good looking but dont have the inverted fork and wider rear tire and seprate guages and dual headlights
The touring will give a smoother ride it has a longer wheelbase.
 
Answer these 8 questions using number 1, number 2 and number 3 as priority.
Take rides of a week or more -
Ride two up usually -
Enjoy freeway & highway traveling -
Ride to find the best most challenging twusties -
Drag race other bikes -
Want my bike to be dependable -
Power is most important -
Handling is most important -

Answer these 8 questions using number 1, number 2 and number 3 as priority.

Take rides of a week or more - 3

Ride two up usually - 2

Enjoy freeway & highway traveling – 1 (I live in Florida – 99% of the roads are straight…)

Ride to find the best most challenging twusties – 3 (only thing I miss about living in north Georgia- the mountain roads, not the traffic!!!)

Drag race other bikes – 3

Want my bike to be dependable - 1

Power is most important - 1

Handling is most important – 2 (all relative when other other steeds include Buells & Ninjas)

Added – must be able to sit with back straight & with driver back rest – 1 (too many place jumps, weight lifting stupidity, etc.)
 
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 head up to Asheville/Hendersonville often to see family. I keep a bike up there as well - bueatiful country!
 
26ADACB2-C531-4DA6-BA7E-0D1A70EBE01A.jpeg

Perfect match

There it is and I've never seen this color. I wondered what bike the shrouds were made for so now I know. Beautious she is. It's a Classic I assume but what year? I think I need one to attach to the new shrouds in my attic.

Art. what color is your 09 Classic? I didn't know they made the Classic in 09. The only ones I see advertised for that year are Tourings. And yes, I miss the tach that was on my Classic, plus I prefer the handlebar mounted instruments on the Classic and the dual headlights are definitely European style. Still, the Touring is a wonderful machine. It's not as nimble but on the highway she's a wonder.
 
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