Considering R3 2005

[sloggernobber]

Help needed guys. I have never owned a British bike and have had great memories from riding Japanese bikes from the UK across Europe. I moved to Canada in 94 n had kids blah blah blah........ but now have the itch to get back on 2 wheels and fallen in love with a 2005 R3. I was on a forum that was 97% against the R3 due to engine cutouts, fuel remapping, broken clutch spring mounting post, noisy engine etc.
It really pi$$ed on my fire as I love the look of the bike, its balls is second to none and British (bit biased there, sorry).
The bike I am looking at is an 05 and has 7,500miles on it (brought in by dealer from Washington, US) but will need to ship it from Vancouver to Toronto - so good luck with any warranty.
I built an AC Cobra from scratch, so don't mind getting my hands dirty but don't want to be doing it every time I go out riding.
The bike is $7,500 + shipping but I can get an '07 locally for $8,900 (more leverage on warranty). The '05 is red which I really like and the local '07 is a black. Mileage is close.
Decisions, decisions, decisions. I would like to ride the Rocket but as far as reliability is concerned, the Honda Valkryie has it beat - older, more chance to iron out problems.
I love the R3 but don't want to be eating shiznit from my wife if it ends up costing an arm and a leg to fix - you boys are familiar with that one - right?
I understand that when someone has a ***** these days, that they post their grief on any forum which is far more prevalent than those that are happy with their purchase, they just enjoy and live with it without having to tell the world that they are happy as a pig in shiznit. Its a tad one sided but I am really looking for honest advice.
Cheers lads,
Nigel

 

[HansO]

I can only say I have a 08 std Rocket with Custom headers Staintune mufflers and collector Run a custom tune and it Rips!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I also have triple K&N's and a Darkside tyre (245/50/16) on the rear 27500 KLM (about 17,000 mile) Trouble Free, Oh and I don't spare the Rod. having said that there were a few problems with some of the earlier models and I'm sure someone will fill you in

 

[BigAl52]

any vehicle will have some problems along the way, your over thinking it and in danger of talking yourself out of it!
Just buy the bloody thing and ride it, you wont regret it and if you do have a few citches there's that many people willing to help on this site it won't be a problem.

 

[sloggernobber]

Thanks Hanso, I wonder if its best to go for the 2007+ year models as the earlier ones were there as initial releases with expectant issues.
The bike is clean as hell with low mileage but kind of scares me somehow.
Cheers,
Nigel

 

[sloggernobber]

Big Al52, you make me laff! I know I can buy a reliable blah blah puke Japanese bike again n be happy. A part of me thinks bollocks to it, I love Rocket 3 for all its worth but I don't want the grief as there is no Triumph dealership nearby. Thre are some people that have posted that their R3 has been faultless.

 

[HansO]

Big Al52, you make me laff! I know I can buy a reliable blah blah puke Japanese bike again n be happy. A part of me thinks bollocks to it, I love Rocket 3 for all its worth but I don't want the grief as there is no Triumph dealership nearby. Thre are some people that have posted that their R3 has been faultless.

As Al52 said there is lots of help here we are allways trying to help fellow Rocketeers out I would buy the 07 less prob's, some had a gear box issue but I think it was only the early 07's

 

[BigAl52]

mines a Nov. 07 but first registered Jan. 09. The dealer told me about the potential problem with the ignition and it was recalled some months later and fixed under warranty. I have no other issues with the bike apart from it's Black and I wanted a red one!!

 

[xhdskip]

I say go for it.
I rode harleys for a little while,
but one test ride sold me on my rocket.
I liked mine so much (a phantom black '07)
that I bought the wife a red one.
Hers is an '05 and had zero problems.
I'd say if you're concerned, and it's at a dealer already,
ask if it's had the upgrades.
See if there's any "history", if not,
just get the bloody thing and flog the crap out of it.
Some of my best friends ride red Rockets and they haven't had much if any problems.
if it does start idleing fast, it needs a new TPS,
a hundred dollar part that they'd probably change out for nothing.
Triumph is pretty good about standing behind their product,
but then again, a lot depends on your dealer.
I say get it...oh and Welcome to the site, from Oklahoma,
skip

 

[TOMCAT]

G'day , welcome and i reckon buy the black one mines a black '07 plated Standard , i bought it new in January '09. I've put 86,000 klms on it since then , i can't say they have been troublefree klms but .... Rockets the best bike i have ever owned.

 

[ewswartze]

Welcome to the forum. I have one of the "earlier troubled" models ('05 standard) but I have had 0 issues. Scheduled maintenance is the greatest factor in determining durability. As many have said before, "most" problems that occur on a motorcycle can be traced directly back to the nut that connects the horns to the saddle.