Build Quality

[rocket3jjd]

I had an early 05 graphite and had no issues what so ever untill it got totaled . I replaced it with an 08 phantom black and noticed that the gauge mount for the tach and speedo is none existant so i kept the one off my 05 the frame is cheaper on the 08 compared to the early models (not as beefy where you would mount the centerstand. those are the only differences i could find comparing the two.

Now as for quality and build it beats the pants off of kawisucki my klr650 is a great bike whoever every bolt on the bike when new was LOOSE fall off LOOSE but that could just be the crappy dealer that I bought it from they cringe when I walk into that dealer. So with every new bike I own I check all nuts and bolts first and have had no problems with my Triumphs.


Personally I have had no issues with paint or chrome . Every part that I've added has been top quality in my opinion I love the bike.

I missed my 05 so much I buoght my 08 with stiches still in my head and got a great deal from my dealer free chrome cam cover free seven year road hazzard warrenty and still rode out the door under $12,000.


My brother has an 05 and had to buy a new battery this last spring.

My friend has an early black on black 06 and has had no problems .

I cant wait to see the roadster when it comes out and take one for a beat I dont want one but I am interested in the new foot peg location.

I hope that helps I would rate my rockets at 9.5 and I tell everyone who asks about it to go take one for a test drive they wont be disappointed.

 

[HellFire]

I've had the typical '08 problems, weak battery, failed ignition switch and a leaky water pump. With exception of the battery (installed an Odyssey 625) the repairs were done by the dealer under warranty.
I hate that they came with 16" rear wheels since they are the most expensive tires made. And the clear coat on the wheels suck ass.
With those minor things in mind, it's still the best bike I've ever owned or ridden. I just love the big pain in the butt.

I saved my only real complaint for last ... dealer support in this area is AWFUL, just terrible. If we had a dealer that was larger, more factory trained and gave a **** ... I would give the R3 a 10.

So I give it a 9.

 

[borntoride63]

my 2 cents: (08 Rocket 3 standard, Jardines, K&Ns, Claw cut, tuneboy) performance 8, Handling 8, ride 8, quality 5 I had the nasty second gear problem, upgrade installed, shifts smooth! but now I have the gear lash! currently I have a bad engine miss! dealer ordered Primary TPS and secondary TPS too! Primary is on back order! He had a wrecked Rocket so He robbed both TPS's off it and put them on my bike! still missing! Im taking it in next tuesday! He thinks there is a problem with tuneboy! not so sure about that! guess will see! He is going to put the triumph off road tune in and see if the bad miss is still there! easy riding there is no miss! but when your on the throttle it breaks up bad! after about 4500RPM! I Still like the this bike! its unique!

 

[HellFire]

That was one of the things that I considered when deciding between a tuneboy and PCIII. I wondered how much/many things the dealer would blame on them when they couldn't figure out what was wrong. The PCIII at least can just be unplugged and everything goes back to factory spec. I agree with you though, I don't see how the tuneboy can cause a miss ... be sure to let us all know what was causing it when they finally iron it out.

 

[scot in exile]

If tuneboy is the problem that will be a first, everyone who has tuneboy myself included use it amongst other things to correct triumphs poor(thank you pig9r) maps, cannot only blame triumph the bikes come from the factory so lean to satisfy good old EPA.

 

[Molinoman]

I've only got a little over 8,000 miles on my Rocket. From the few times I have been able to ride it since March of 2007 I would rate it a 9.5. For both of my long trips (Nashville and Daytona/Key West) it was outstanding, gas mileage was great even at high speeds and it kept wanting to go faster and further.

The only weak spots I have found were the battery (on 3rd one) but that may be because of my off/on/off/on riding style over the last two and a half years. Some of the chrome pieces have rust spotting on them and the ignition switch which was replaced under warranty. My dealer is awesome.

Dennis

48 (?) dtg Dubai/Kuwait (?)
49 (?) dtg Home

 

[rayjay]

Good posts guys....keep em coming

 

[crazyman]

I bought my R3T on Feb 1st, 2009. I have 16500 miles on her now and have had no issues. I would rate the bike a 9 overall. Build quality is top rate. The chrome is very good (no plastic except for the radiator shrouds). Ergos are a little different than I'd like, but not an issue. If I had to pick some things that I don't like, first would be the wind buffeting. Even with a 19" Clearview screen, I still get a lot of buffeting. Oh, and the passing lamps burn up bulbs every few months. That's not uncommon from other bikes I've had.
Paint is not that great compared to some others brands. But basic black isn't known for looking perfect for too long.

I love the styling, the engineering, and the power.

 

[Hank in Albuq]

RE: Rating Your Rocket

Hi!! I have a silver (titantium?) '05 that I have about 800 miles on so far, and intend to put a lot more miles on. Here's my take on this subject

Build Quality: 10/10
Chrome 10/10 (I've never owned a Harley)
Paint 8/10...Silver is not my favorite color (I wanted a red one), but it's growing on me. I have no quibble with the paint quality.
Performance: 12/10...I have to be careful how I ride this thing...I'm going to start calling her 'the ticket collector'! Nothing else can catch me. She has the Triumph 'off road' pipes, and has been tuned to match, as well as a BUNCH of chrome.
With that said...
Pilot: 5/10...Too dumb to close the throttle when the back bumper of the Ford pickup is approaching at a high rate of speed

Triumph Rocket 3...Insanity on 2 wheels!!
Hank S.
Kick the Tires, Light the Fires and HANG ON!!!

 

[RocketDaryl]

'08 R3T purchased new in June '08. The list of "issues" were all prior to June '09 (less than a year of ownership).

- Blown headgasket
- Clutch shaft snapped in half
- Gear position sensor replaced under recall or SB
- Tires replaced under recall

I will say that there was nothing wrong with *my* GPS and my old tires didn't have any issues either. I didn't expect the tires to have an issue because I baby the bike compared to most who own Rockets. I didn't buy it because I wanted to go fast. I bought it because I was tired of Harleys and wanted something different.

That said, the R3T is far from the most reliable bike I've owned. In fact, it's one of the worst. My other Trumpets did not give me problems, however. My '05 Speedmaster never gave me an issue. My BIL has the bike now and he's never had any issues with it either. My '09 Tiger (purchased in May) hasn't given me any issues thus far.