Blown away by a sportbike in the twisties...

[Robm422]

So, I know this is a cruiser, but it's also much, much more, so I guess my expectations are very high for its handling. Well today, while on my usual ride through the canyons, a sportbike appeared in my rear view mirror, seemingly out of nowhere. So, I signaled for him to go by me, but then figured I'd try to keep up with him for a bit. Well he blew me away! I could reel him in on the straightaways, but then there was a series of several turns in a row, and then he was gone. Cornering on his bike just seemed so effortless! Meanwhile, I'm manhandling the beast around the corners at a pretty good clip, but just nowhere as fast and easy as his bike. I must say, I was kinda bugged that he was able to leave me behind so easily. I'm sure part of it was that he was a better rider, but man I wish I could throw the rocket around like that. Maybe I need another bike for canyon carving! I definitely need to work on my riding skills.

 

[scot in exile]

Would not expect any thing else, a sports-bike will leave the Rocket standing in curves with comparable riders, after all it is a 800lb beast as aerodynamic as a square brick.

 

[Jeff Cameron]

I am still not used to how slowly my Rocket goes from left to right......Combination of the fat tire, the weight and the rake/trail. Having said that I do enjoy how stable my Rocket is on the straight roads....no twitching in cross winds etc and when I get off the bike at the end of a long ride I am not crippled up in my knees/hips like my old sport bikes.

 

[Boog]

You just need more practice... Go take a track day course on your Rocket and then head back out

 

[alpental]

So, I know this is a cruiser, but it's also much, much more, so I guess my expectations are very high for its handling. Well today, while on my usual ride through the canyons, a sportbike appeared in my rear view mirror, seemingly out of nowhere. So, I signaled for him to go by me, but then figured I'd try to keep up with him for a bit. Well he blew me away! I could reel him in on the straightaways, but then there was a series of several turns in a row, and then he was gone. Cornering on his bike just seemed so effortless! Meanwhile, I'm manhandling the beast around the corners at a pretty good clip, but just nowhere as fast and easy as his bike. I must say, I was kinda bugged that he was able to leave me behind so easily. I'm sure part of it was that he was a better rider, but man I wish I could throw the rocket around like that. Maybe I need another bike for canyon carving! I definitely need to work on my riding skills.

Don't feel too bad. I had that exact same experience and reaction coming back from the Crystal Lake Cafe on the San Gabriel Canyon Road a couple months ago. Two Gixxers and an S1000RR absolutely blew through every corner. I kept them in sight for maybe 6 or 7 turns and then they were gone. Wasn't even close. Came away thinking I really need to get to a track day with the Rocket.

 

[R-III-R Turbo]

well you have a much larger turning circle for one thing, much wider wheels and a heck of a lot more weight. pilots being equal you can't expect a charger to handle like a mini cooper.

meanwhile handling is hugely dependent on the pilot, so what lines you take into bends have a massive impact on how fast you can corner. i have seen big cruisers with good pilots outhandle sportsbikes with average pilots

 

[FR56]

It's ALL about physics. Man has harnessed the energy to make fat fly; but rapidly changing its direction again becomes problematic.
On the same twisties I usually 'comfortably' average 25+mph faster my K1200R than Prudence at any point. On fast 'rural' surface street straights replete with "dips" and less than silken surface complexion the K12 also will remain confidently composed at far greater speeds than Prudence. As far as 0 to 100mph giggles and simply feeling like undisputed "King of the Road" while lazily rumbling along; Prudence OWNS it!

 

[Chris Kelley]

Are you still running the stock metz in the rear?

Switching to the Excedra Max in the rear was like night and day for me. I went from putting significant force into counter-steer around corners to just about effortless. Also speed up lean response.

I won't say it would have changed the outcome of your impromptu race, but it is definite improvement.

 

[Maelstrom]

Yep, you can push the envelope and perhaps learn to handle the R3 a little more deftly in the twisties, but you can't change the laws of physics...You can't expect an R3 to keep up with a good sportbike in the twisties anymore than you could use one in a dirtcross race...a bicycle could outmaneuver the R3 in city alleys and perhaps in stop and go traffic. But I guess it's all about what you want and expect out of your motorcycle.

 

[1olbull]

The Roadster handles real well for the beast it is; however, pretty much ANY sport bike can eat it for lunch in the twisties.
Apples and oranges . . .
The "average" sport bike rider can be greased by a VERY GOOD rider on the Roadster.
Look at it as just a little handicap to overcome.