Greetings! (Wall of Text Warning)

AnungUnRama

Ride or Die!
Joined
Jun 23, 2014
Messages
94
Location
Grayslake,Il
Ride
2016 Rocket III Roadster
Hello rocketeers!

I figured this would probably be a great place to pose some questions to experienced riders of the beast! I was looking at a R3 a few years ago as the bike I will eventually want to ride (only been riding for a couple years now) and own. I currently own a Yamaha bolt and love it to death.

However, I went to the Chicago bike show this past winter and they had the R3 roadster on the floor. I could spot it from a mile a way and my jaw hit the floor as this was the first time actually seeing it in person. I immediately shimmied over and sat on the bike and wanted to drive it home in the snow storm.

I have a few questions about purchasing/riding I was hoping you good folks could help me out with.

1. Price. What should I shoot for as a purchase price? MSRP in the states for 2014 is listed at $14,999 which I couldn't believe. So much bike for so little.. If I could get it out the door with dealer fees included to be 11.5-13.00, I think that would be awesome but I don't know if that is possible haha.

2. Insurance. Now I am under 25, not married and I called to get a quote from my current insurance provider (progressive) and they quoted me $146/ month which seemed insane to me. Granted I don't have a VIN# for them to run but I still felt as if this was very very high. Is this what should be expected?

3. Comfort. The seat was incredibly comfortable on the R3 but I am more concerned about the peg position. The bolt has a very similar riding position with your feet almost directly below you. While it is nice for handling, I find it to be a little uncomfortable for longer rides. Anyone able to comment on trip distance as to when you need to pull over and take a break?

4. Sound. The sound of the stock pipes are a little soft for me. Now the pipe I have on my bike is very loud, I am a fan of louder pipes, it doesn't have to be obnoxious but I typically like it for highway riding as I can see people turn and attempt to see where I am coming from. How does the stock pipe sound at high speeds? It sounds like the engine makes more noise than the actual pipe itself. I saw the TOR pipes around the net and they sound great, but wasn't able to find too much purchase info.

If I come up with more questions I will edit the post but I figured I'd try and get some info. Closest triumph dealer is about 45 minutes from me inside a Harley dealer so I plan on scheduling a test drive soon and see how it feels to actually ride.

Thanks again for all the help and I hope to be posting soon as a new owner!

I figured I'd throw a picture of my bolt in for kicks.

-Anthony
 
Welcome! I pay about the same amount of insurance as that quote every month which happens to be an excellent price where I live! Insurance here is brutal.

I replaced my stock seat with a touring seat from an older rocket and I find the ride extremely comfortable. My butt doesn't go numb even after riding for hours and hours.

One thing I did do recently is add some Highway bars and adjustable Highway pegs. It allowed me to put my legs in that comfortable legs forward position and now I enjoy the ride even more.

I only have the stock pipes but I think they're still loud enough when you're going wide open throttle. It sounds like a turbo charged dump truck at a certain speed and then roars like a world war 2 Mustang.

No regrets after buying my 2012. I like the abs feature.
 
Get an actual VIN number from your dealer and ask Progressive to run a new quote. Try a couple others, but I ended up working through an independent insurance agent - who got me a better deal through Progressive than what I could on my own.

Some insurance companies rate additional premium based on age versus horsepower, but experience based on location is also a factor. There is a large insurance market in high-risk rider categories, and also factor-in what they believe the market will bear. What is insane is meeting a twenty-something paying $250/mo for insurance and being "at peace" with it.
 
G'day and welcome from one of the Aussies .. use search function and all your questions will be answered.. can't believe I've had to suggest that to a computer savvy 25 year old
 
Geico was cheaper for me than progressive on my bike. I don't know. They give you quote for a low price than raise it later for what ever reason.
 
Thank you for the replies all, I figured I would get bombed for not using the search function haha. I was at work on my phone typing that up on a break. Will defintely be scouring the forums for more info
 
Hello Anthony and welcome from VA. Insurance is tough everywhere ya go but do shop around. Rickochet has a good idea on the highway pegs, go that troute and with the extra protection the engine guards give you it is good insurance from a tip over. Tops will run you around $600 if the dealer puts them on, maybe a little more. They give a slightly deeper rumble but never as loud as the HD crowd. Open the throttle and it become noticable. I just rode two 10.5 hour days with mine and loved the sound all the way. I have beeds on my seat for added coolness on the hot days; seems to work well for extra comfort too. Good luck and let us hear from you as you explore the new bike when you get it.
 
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another Welcome from another Aussie there are a few custom pipe options, if you really want to go loud the Carpenters come with out a baffle
 
Welcome Anthony from another Aussie- Great Name
Here is a little Vid of my Reband pipes.
 


If you are talking about Mich. City Triumph HD they are good guys and do good work cant comment on INS as mine is a lot cheaper than that as others have said get the highway bars its worth it