Hey To All. I'm shopping for a Rocket III to keep me and my '09 Harley Ultra company. Virtually all the guys I ride with have 2 or more bikes and I'm getting a serious case of bike envy. I've been interested in the Rocket since it first hit the streets. Anyway, I've downloaded the digital versions of the owner's manual and shop manual for '05 to '07 and have gained a fairly good idea about the mechanics and maintenance required.
Based only on reviews I have read I am leaning towards the Touring model which appears to have a little more torque and horsepower numbers are reduced from the 140 to 105 or thereabouts, apparently making the bike a bit more manageable for touring type riders like myself. However the Roadster types have an appeal I can't ignore, plus their gauges are up on the bars where I can better see them.
I have some questions and hope to get some answers from R3Owners:
1. Can the touring accessories I see mounted on the Touring model be mounted on the base roadster model.....floorboards, engine guards/crash bars, luggage rack, heel toe shifter, back rest, hard bags, etc., ?
2. Other than tuning and accessories, is there any significant difference in the engines and frames between the different models and model years?
3. Are there certain models in certain years that should be avoided?
Thanks very much for any info you share.