Hello from central Texas.

1goindiesel

.020 Over
Joined
Feb 1, 2016
Messages
50
Location
Central Texas
Great forum you have here. Have been gleaning some good info. I am considering adding a RIII to my garage. I currently have a 11 HD Road King with a 106 build and a 09 Cross Bones Springer that I have been making my own since new.
I did have a 12 Concours in there as well but sold it. Have probably had ??40-50?? motorcycles in my life.
Have ridden all 48 and some of Canada on HOG tours plus the getting there and coming back legs. Shortest was appx 5000+ miles and longest was over 9000 miles. So now you kinda know motorcycle me. Also am a patched member of a MC. (not a 1% group though, just a like minded group of riders).

I am considering a Rocket III, have found a few examples that are under 8000 miles that interest me. What should my main concerns be between an 08 and a 2013 model? About 3000.00 diff in price. Have read on hear a few comments like "issues addressed after 2010" so was wondering if I should stay away from pre 10 models. Not going with touring model as I prefer to just add windshield and racks, soft bags as needed. Thanks very much for any wisdom offered..

P.
 
Welcome from sunny Southern California!

The Roadster had a significant update in 2010. Besides providing updates for several parts that were failing and blacking out much of the trim, Triumph also made the following changes:
  • Added ABS
  • Beefed up the clutch, shaft drive, and gear selection
  • Softened the rear shocks 20% (still terrible in stock form IMO)
  • Added clock, fuel gauge, and gear position sensor
  • Changed exhaust configuration to 1 muffler on each side
  • Foot controls moved back 100mm, down 20mm (moving from a cruiser- to a roadster-style stance)
  • Tuned (ECU and exhaust) for 11% increase in HP and 15% increase in torque
 
I believe al is correct if he is addressing only Roadsters. If you are age challenged like a lot of us here, you might want to investigate a Classic or Touring model as the foot positioning is more relaxed.

Where in central TX? I am in Denton.
 
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If you're on the fence and need a little help over the edge to a 2010+ Roadster, this is the video that did it for me.

That's a great video I show it to any of my mates who doubt the power of a Rocket ,with a few minor changes to exhaust/intake and mapping the Touring can do all this in comfort as well, just a personal choice of style
 

Welcome from one of the Aussies, sounds like you are into long distant rides we have plenty of space over /down here for that Enjoy!