bang for buck.

[jcb7469]

So I have a 2010 touring with a little over 12k miles. It appears to be bone atock (I bought it used with 10k). What do you think is the cheapest and easiest upgrades for it. I'm very much a beginer when it comes to mechanical stuff.

 

[cr0ft]

It doesn't really require a lot. I added a taller Clearview shield to it to cut down wind buffeting and a luggage rack/sissy bar to haul stuff on long trips.

Also, it's worth doing the derestricting with Power-tripp's ECU map that lets it rev like it's supposed to.

Then there's a whole slew of optional stuff one can do, of course, the sky is the limit.

If whitewall tires are your thing, I can very strongly recommend the new Avon Cobra whitewall tires that are OEM for the Triumph Thunderbird LT for it. Looks great and handles like a dream. Well, blackwall Cobras too, I guess, assume they handle as well.

Maybe put new shocks on it if you want to improve that further - I have Progressive 444's on mine, very happy with those. They also have springs for the front if you want to improve that (I'm strongly considering that too, the stock isn't the greatest).

If you want to upgrade lights on it, you can get a package of Truck-lite Phase 7 LED headlights + fog lights for under $400 on eBay.

An Eastern Beaver headlight relay kit is also an option that might make sense.

 

[El Toro Rosso]

If it were me (and it has been three times), I'd put the tall windshield on, I'd have Russell build me a long haul seat, I'd get the light bar if it doesn't have one already, and I'd install the powerlet outlet there on the left side below the seat. I have also enjoyed the heated grips, but other people often complain of problems with them. Maybe I don't use them enough to generate the problems. Another thing I've enjoyed is the locking gas cap. And then there is the little leather glove box that can mount on the windshield. It's handy for ear plugs, garage door opener, phone, etc.
I wish the bike had a tire pressure monitor, a tachometer, and a built in GPS, but it doesn't. I have gotten along without them.
I think the bike has plenty of power for a bagger. If I want more, I jump on another bike. Other folks do extensive engine mods, or try to fix perceived fueling issues by downloading available tunes. I like the stock fueling and timing maps just fine. I actually teach how to do this stuff, so it is not that I'm not familiar or capable to make changes. One thing I always point out to the students is that it is formally illegal to be messing with either exhaust systems or fueling and timing programs. I have two cars that get better gas mileage than the Rocket, so I don't need the lecture about how bikes don't pollute or use much fuel anyway. In the modern era, the Rocket does not meet the target CAFE goals any better than 99% of the current lot of cars.
Good luck with your project. I think the best thing to do with a Rocket III Touring is to get out and ride it. It's a great bike!

 

[R3Tex]

Upgrades tend to be somewhat personal. My advice is ride the h3ll out of it and when you find something that annoys you, fix it, add it or upgrade it. That way you don't end up spending money on things that you won't appreciate in the long term.

 

[IMFASTTOO]

If it were me (and it has been three times), I'd put the tall windshield on, I'd have Russell build me a long haul seat, I'd get the light bar if it doesn't have one already, and I'd install the powerlet outlet there on the left side below the seat. I have also enjoyed the heated grips, but other people often complain of problems with them. Maybe I don't use them enough to generate the problems. Another thing I've enjoyed is the locking gas cap. And then there is the little leather glove box that can mount on the windshield. It's handy for ear plugs, garage door opener, phone, etc.
I wish the bike had a tire pressure monitor, a tachometer, and a built in GPS, but it doesn't. I have gotten along without them.
I think the bike has plenty of power for a bagger. If I want more, I jump on another bike. Other folks do extensive engine mods, or try to fix perceived fueling issues by downloading available tunes. I like the stock fueling and timing maps just fine. I actually teach how to do this stuff, so it is not that I'm not familiar or capable to make changes. One thing I always point out to the students is that it is formally illegal to be messing with either exhaust systems or fueling and timing programs. I have two cars that get better gas mileage than the Rocket, so I don't need the lecture about how bikes don't pollute or use much fuel anyway. In the modern era, the Rocket does not meet the target CAFE goals any better than 99% of the current lot of cars.
Good luck with your project. I think the best thing to do with a Rocket III Touring is to get out and ride it. It's a great bike!

WHO gives a crap about the illegality of tuning and exhaust changes every cop I know rides a modified bike regardless of what make it is

 

[Elvis]

If it were me (and it has been three times), I'd put the tall windshield on, I'd have Russell build me a long haul seat, I'd get the light bar if it doesn't have one already, and I'd install the powerlet outlet there on the left side below the seat. I have also enjoyed the heated grips, but other people often complain of problems with them. Maybe I don't use them enough to generate the problems. Another thing I've enjoyed is the locking gas cap. And then there is the little leather glove box that can mount on the windshield. It's handy for ear plugs, garage door opener, phone, etc.
I wish the bike had a tire pressure monitor, a tachometer, and a built in GPS, but it doesn't. I have gotten along without them.
I think the bike has plenty of power for a bagger. If I want more, I jump on another bike. Other folks do extensive engine mods, or try to fix perceived fueling issues by downloading available tunes. I like the stock fueling and timing maps just fine. I actually teach how to do this stuff, so it is not that I'm not familiar or capable to make changes. One thing I always point out to the students is that it is formally illegal to be messing with either exhaust systems or fueling and timing programs. I have two cars that get better gas mileage than the Rocket, so I don't need the lecture about how bikes don't pollute or use much fuel anyway. In the modern era, the Rocket does not meet the target CAFE goals any better than 99% of the current lot of cars.
Good luck with your project. I think the best thing to do with a Rocket III Touring is to get out and ride it. It's a great bike!

x2, there is no way I would destroy a great touring bike for ****** rocket power, if I want to ride fast and go get on a fast bike.

 

[cr0ft]

I wish the bike had a tire pressure monitor

http://www.doranmfg.com/motorcycle-tire-pressure-monitoring-systems.htm

 

[cr0ft]

I like the stock fueling and timing maps just fine.

To each his own, but after having experienced my bike both with the stock map and the Power-tripp map, there's really no comparison. The latter does nothing really noticeable to the 0-4k range, which is where the stock map limits you to - it is beyond pointless to rev past 4k on the stock map as that will slow you down, not speed you up. What it does, however, is remove that artificial "rev limiter" (ok, not really, but still) and let the engine rev cleanly to 6k, which also gives more power as you do rev to 5.5k or so.

The next step from there to aftermarket exhaust and so on to get past 160 horses and beyond is more debatable, but I'd wager even the 240+ out of a Carpenter kit does nothing to compromise the touring abilities, it just gives you the option to keep revving instead of short-shifting and in so doing access serious power if needed. These engines are so huge that they're also incredibly lightly tuned, so tuning them slightly and getting 240 probably does very little to alter how they behave at highway speed and revs.

But anyway, the Power-tripp map didn't compromise the MPG at all on mine, and possibly improved it. While giving me the option to rev harder to go faster.

 

[Boog]

Hello JCP and welcome from VA. I have just over 21K miles on my 2014 and love this machine. I changed to Tors exhaust with a new tune. I added a Bead Rider seat cover for my long trip and daily commuting, (Just took it off for winter as it cools the bum a little too much). I added highway pegs and gas every other day. Like @R3Tex said, ride it and figure out what you feel needs to change based on you riding style. That has been my mantra for all 28 bikes I've ridden and it's worked for me so far. Good luck and ride on Brother...

 

[dawb]

just ride it. best advice i have ever been given about a new bike. 2000 miles, you are still on the first date with it. ride it, take a few weekend trips with it and then think about what could make it better. ive done 20k in a year and have added a tall windshield (kept the short for spring/short rides), a cattleman sissy bar mounted luggage bag(awesome simplicity and space) and a garmin hardwired to the front bars (still carry maps, but not as many!) oh! and Avon Cobra tires!!! best change made! Enjoy the R3T, best bike ive had in 45 years of riding!