From Tiger to Roadster?

[Chris Davis]

Hi there,

I am fairly new to this site as I am still rising my trusty Tiger 1050. However, this Saturday I rest ride a Roadster. Assuming all goes well and I get a reasonable deal on the Tiger I will be ordering a Roadster.

I am slightly anxious as I commute into London everyday and am not sure how well the Roadster will handle in London's busy and congested roads! Hopefully I will get a feel for that on the test ride.

As well as the commuting I also do an annual trip to the Alps. I am guessing the Roadster will be massive fun. Any tips on how to take luggage on the Roadster. Not sure I want panniers though - make it look more like a cruiser than a street bike. Probably the sissie bar and a tail pack. Anyone got one that fits the Rocket. Also anyone found a tank bag that fits?

Cheers Chris

 

[RocketDaryl]

The Rocket is a nice bike and the power is sure to put a smile on your face, but I think you'll miss your Tiger when it comes to daily commuting. There's no better bike for that purpose, IMO. I also MUCH prefer the Tiger over the Rocket for trips. There's no way I'd trade my Tiger for a Rocket. In fact, I sold my Rocket III Touring because I prefer my Tiger over the Rocket. I used the money to buy a Thunderbird, which I also like better than the Rocket. Of course, I'm sure you'll find many (especially here in a Rocket forum) that will say they prefer the Rocket over other bikes.

 

[Joker]

Commuting won't be a problem on it mate. It is a bit heavier than the Tiger, but, unlike the Tiger, all the weight is low down. Slow speed handling is good and filtering isn't a problem. Your mirrors won't be at the same height as transit van mirrors like they are now.

With a rack and sissy bar fitted you will be able to get a huge amount into a tailpack.

The annual trip toi the Alps will be a blast, in more ways than one.

Enjoy.

 

[2rockets]

the alps would be much more fun on the tiger.

 

[albertaduke]

the alps

the alps would be much more fun on the tiger.

I disagree the fun is what you make of it I rode every mountain passes in the alps except austria and I did it two up with everything but the kitchen sink and on a harley fatbboy
and it was bliss and fun everyday.

 

[Anders]

Commuting won't be a problem on it mate. It is a bit heavier than the Tiger, but, unlike the Tiger, all the weight is low down. Slow speed handling is good and filtering isn't a problem. Your mirrors won't be at the same height as transit van mirrors like they are now.

With a rack and sissy bar fitted you will be able to get a huge amount into a tailpack.

The annual trip toi the Alps will be a blast, in more ways than one.

Enjoy.

I have to agree, I do a 20 mile daily commute in lots of heavy holiday traffic and the bike is brilliant at it, it has presence and it handles and stops very well (get rid of the Metzler though!), with all the acceleration you could want to slice through the slowpokes ... after a while you'll forget you are riding an 800 pounds + beast, it feels a lot more compact than it is due to the low centre of gravity the engine/box brings with it ... I've fitted a rear brake modulator, and upgraded the front lights to the max, at least cars seem to mostly see me now, a front modulator (Kisan pathblazer) is next ... back in the day I commuted and did all shopping/holidays in a full race caterham 7, it's all in your attitude...

 

[Chris Davis]

Guys,

Great insights. I have to agree it's really about attitude. I must admit I really fancy rising around on this enormous beast and knowing I have a 2.3l engine.

My Tiger has done me proud and I will be sad to see it go. It's the third I have (2 x 955 and a 1050) had and they have all been great.

Anyway I will susepnd judgement until after the test ride. Also a key and challenging factor for me will be can I get it through my front gate and into my small front garden / patio to park and keep it off road!

Cheers Chris

 

[cheekygrin]

Chris...

Call me a heretic, but I ride through London traffic every day, and I know what the hell I am talking about.

1. London traffic, as you know, is heavy. From any direction, in a 60 mile radius, its just bonkers at rush hour. In fact, there is no rush hour, just slightly heavier traffic - it tails off a bit from 2am to 530am but thats your lot in practice..

However, you do it already, so you must know what that is like.

Is Mpg a consideration? you know petrol is going to head north of 120p a litre this year right?

I fill up my scooter once every two weeks for £8 and this has increased to about £8.50 in the 6 months I have had it. I get 120 miles out of that £8.50, which works out to about 7.08p a mile, or about 75mpg in my 300CC thing. I drive it like I stole it though..

Can I just suggest, you do a bit of a reality check, and ALSO get a mid sized scooter - T Max or the yamaha mid level 400CC one. Massive amounts of onboard luggage space, weather protection, and will cost less than half the Roadster to run.

Also, I can wiggle through gaps that motorbikes cannot - because of the turning lock on my steering, and general smaller form factor.

I did this when I got a street triple - which is even better than a Tiger for commuting but...

There is NOTHING not one single thing better than a scooter for commuting. I am not stirring the clutch and shifter every five seconds in slow or stationary traffic either, which is a blessed relief. Why do you see an increasing amount of scooters in London? For a reason. A motorcycle is no quicker than me to get to the destination. And in thick traffic, or stationary traffic, I am infinitely quicker. And more comfortable and more relaxed.

 

[Chris Davis]

Yes good analysis. One option of course would be the Roadster for fun and enjoyment and a scooter for commuting. Overall I am sure this would work out cheaper.

Cheers Chris

 

[cheekygrin]

Thats what I have done / am doing

I have to say... changing to a scooter in London is the best thing I have ever done for personal transport. It literally costs pennies to run, and is just as quick, if not quicker!

Its more civilized, more dry, more comfortable, less stressful (I can focus on the road rather than fidgeting about with gears in heavy traffic) and I can actually carry my kit and shopping inside the luggage space on the bike, and I do not have to dress up like a power ranger either

For you, I recommend something with a bit of grunt though - and not the smaller European scooters (Vespa, even the super, would be a bit too small I think, even though its nearly as nippy as my scooter).

I recommend slightly larger wheel sizes because London roads are appalling, and larger wheels handle potholes better.

Apart from the fact you get 3 to 4 times better mpg than a Rocket 3 on a scooter, that is not the only reason why not to commute on it. Its like using a nuke to kill a fly, using a rocket 3 for commuting! How soul destroying would that be - looks good, but just not practical like a scooter.

Do both - Autotrader will see you with a yamaha majesty 400 or a used T max for about 2-3000k - or an older silverwing (650 cc) if you fancy a lardy arsed slow fat huge thing. The 400cc Suzuki burgervans are ok, but the bigger engined ones are pointless and heavy for traffic work... you want something mid sized, to cut through traffic easily. And a minimum of a 250 - 300CC engine - preferably 400cc is the sweet spot. The TMAX yamaha handles close to a sports bike, and is quick and a joy to ride, but the mpg is not overly good - 45-50mpg only. Step a little bit down, and 400CCs will see you up at the 60-80mpg range - and its very nearly just as quick. Commuting is all about comfort, weather protection, ease of use, dependability, and ability to cut through traffic - none of which remotely apply to a Rocket 3 (relatively!!!!!!).. which is just overkill.

Brands I recommend - Japanese, like the majesty 400- some piaggio group ones are a bit less well put together. Alternatively, you could always go the small-mid sized thing like me, but I would be less comfortable on motorways due to the presence of it being less than the maxi size scooters.

It also means less mileage and wear and tear on the Rocket 3!