'bout to pull the trigger

[Comatose]

I've done a fair bit of reading up on Rockets, but i guess i have a few more questions. I'm pre-approved to get a brand new '03 (no abs, but has goodies) from the closest dealer to me up in Albuquerque. But thats about 3 1/2 hours from me.

So i got to thinking about not really being able to use the true benefit of the warranty etc. So i started hunting around for used ones. Best looking deal i found is an '08 out of Plano, TX with 12k miles but identical in color (black/white) and nearly identical in options, also, $7000 cheaper.

So are they're any real differences between '08 and '13, i've read about an ignition upgrade? or something along those lines. But mechanically they seem to be the same.

Along those lines is they're anything with the '08 model year i should look out for?

Is the warranty really worth having / needed in my situation. Where if something really bad does happen, yes i can put it on the truck and haul it up to Abq. However for minor stuff, it would probably cost more to haul it up there then to just fix it myself. Also keeping in mind that for routine maintenance, oil changes etc, I would have to take it up there every time and on time to get that done, so Triumph cannot argue that it wasnt serviced properly.

Any input helps

-Josh

 

[Mittzy]

Hi Josh, and Welcome to the forum.
I am not sure about where you live, but in Australia we can take the bike/car to any approved mechanical sevice facility. is there a closer Triumph dealer (3 1/2 hours is a long way) I Have 5 Triumph dealers with in 3 1/2 hours.

 

[sams2100]

The '13 will have more torque and hp than the '08 stock, but to my understanding, the engines are basically the same, so with tuneEcu and/or a PCV, you can get the same power.

 

[muleskinner]

Opinion

P.M. sent.

 

[Comatose]

Hi Josh, and Welcome to the forum.
I am not sure about where you live, but in Australia we can take the bike/car to any approved mechanical sevice facility. is there a closer Triumph dealer (3 1/2 hours is a long way) I Have 5 Triumph dealers with in 3 1/2 hours.

Nope Mittzy,

I currently live in Nowhere, NM. Personally im kind of surprised there isnt a Triumph dealer in Amarillo or Lubbock, TX. Both of those are only a little over an hour away.


On the choice of '08 or '13-

I'm not scared to wrench on a bike, but i don't want it to be a regular thing (Harley ). I am aware Rockets are not on the reliability level of say a Royal Star, but I'm figuring i can ride it, say 2000 miles, without fear of a catastrophic breakdown.

 

[Dennsell]

New ECU mod / warranty

Not sure if this would be a concern to you but I was told recently by a local dealer that the ECUs on all new bikes will have a tracker to show if the bike ECU has been modified, when the dealer plugs into the ECU an alert will show and Triumph will void all warranty claims..

Maybe worth asking re the 2013.. the 08 wouldn't have the tracker..

 

[9secondsflat]

There is a turbo in New Mexico all ready to go and another up north that I considered (he made the vid for me) I just purchased a Carpenter 240...should have in the next few days.
Turbo Charged Triumph Rocket III - YouTube

Not sure if this would be a concern to you but I was told recently by a local dealer that the ECUs on all new bikes will have a tracker to show if the bike ECU has been modified, when the dealer plugs into the ECU an alert will show and Triumph will void all warranty claims..

Maybe worth asking re the 2013.. the 08 wouldn't have the tracker..

 

[Pres10]

You are where I was last spring. I live in the middle of nowhere (Wright) Wyoming. The nearest Triumph dealer is in Denver, 320 miles away. I knew I wanted a rocket, went to the dealer looked at a new 2012 but came home with a 2008 with 7600 miles and $6000 cheaper.

What sold me on the 2008 is a more comfortable riding position, in my opinion. The newer Roadsters have the foot pegs moved rearward in what Triumph calls a more agressive riding position. 2009 and older have forward controls. Also I figured I could use the extra money for a windshield, saddle bags and performance goodies.

The newer bikes are rated at a slightly highter HP and torque but that is debatable. Engines are identical but there is a minor difference in tuning. Change the exhaust intake filters and re-tune and they are all the same.

This the first bike I ever bought that kept from looking for another.

 

[muleskinner]

Where is the turbo

There is a turbo in New Mexico all ready to go and another up north that I considered (he made the vid for me) I just purchased a Carpenter 240...should have in the next few days.
Turbo Charged Triumph Rocket III - YouTube

I watched the video. Where's the Turbo?? I see nothing but a stock exhaust manifold. All the turbo charged Rockets I have seen have the turbo mounted on the right front of the engine with the exhaust manifold attached to them?????????

 

[Ygransom]

I watched the video. Where's the Turbo?? I see nothing but a stock exhaust manifold. All the turbo charged Rockets I have seen have the turbo mounted on the right front of the engine with the exhaust manifold attached to them?????????

It's under the bike here the cat box used to be.