Hello from NC

[sumncguy]

I just got done with my third demo ride of the Rocket III tour. I am NOT a troll looking to start a bunch of crap. I am in search of information. I would like to know about the down sides of this bike. Ive been riding since age 10 and every single bike Ive had on or off road has had down sides. One that I notice on the 2011 Rocket III T is the kickstand .. Its kind of hard to get to when trying to lift it up and kind of tricky finding it when it needs to go down.

My first impressions are its a great bike ..with ... without really having to say it ... tremendous power .. and the brakes are also excellent. The fit is ok .. Im 5'6" 240 lbs.

I am looking for all the bad stuff .... common issues. Maintenance concerns etc etc. Thanks alot folks. If things work out, I may soon be a member of the R3 community.

 

[sweettennbabe]

Well the bike is heavy.......and you being only 5'6 you might have to lower it a bit to try and push it backwards up a hill without sliding.......I lowered mine and I am 5'7" and I dont have any problems now....
Like any other bike........there are some down sides I guess but I dont have any with my bike.
I love him.......He rides great......lots of torque and power.....smooth,easy to handle in the twisties even with a car tire on the back.
I hope you find what you are looking for and if its a rocket........Let me be the first to welcome you to the forum.

 

[xhdskip]

haven't ever riden a R3T so I'll leave that part alone.
The bike in general though, is awesome..
You've took 3 test rides and haven't wrote the check yet?
Maybe a Rocket ain't for you.
If the kickstand is the biggest issue
I'd recommend a harley,
they have swell kickstands.
Other than that, Welcome to the site.

 

[UNCLE JESSE]

Welcome to the site from Irvine, Kentucky, go with the rocket III tour 2011 you will get use to the kick stand, it seems they have worked a lot of their bugs out after 08 I have a 07 and had the problems but all fixed and running great and don't worry the Harleys they won't even challenge you at least they don't here they have learned enjoy your ride

 

[BigAl52]

nothings perfect.....the biggest problem with mine is that I dont ride it enough and when I do I find it very difficult to keep it under the legal speed limit!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Probably the most fun you can have without taken your pants off!!

 

[Jackson]

Downside? Hummmm.... OK, the motor heat in 100 degree heat s#cks. Welcome to the site from Chicago.

 

[Air Force Mark]

Downside, waiting for everyone else not on a rocket to catch up!

 

[CanberraR3]

Main downside with an R3T is that it's not a Standard.
Of course we all have little things we don't like - for example, sometimes I don't have time to talk to the admirers that gather round everywhere I go. Another is that in colder weather I sometimes fog up my visor from laughing or yelling out at the kick of power I got go. I've also been pulled over by the cops a fair bit - sometimes when not even speeding - but never once got a ticket. They're interested in it too! The big questions for you are: Do you really want a Rocket? Are you up to it??

 

[AJS2300]

No matter what bike you end up buying you'll find some down side to it.
But I know what you mean about the stand it annoyed me for a short time, but you'll get used to it
There's the power then there's the torque and then there's her shapely curves and good looks
Oh and did I mention the Power & Torque
And you will Hardly see any other bikes in front of you.
So whats not to like and need more tourers out there
And by the way welcome from sunny Northern Ireland

 

[sumncguy]

I replied from my black berry .. but I suppose it went to the admin email account ..

ok ...

Writing the check is no problem. I rode the Raider about eight times at the Yammy demo ... I didnt buy that bike ... cool to ride but not for me.

As with all my other vehicles, trucks, cars, bikes and campers. I want to know what Im getting before I get it ...

Sorry typo .. Im actually 5'7" .. more on this later ..

Ive ridden Harleys ... got to expensive and they are no better or worse than anything else on the market.

I currently ride a VTX 1800 T which weighs about 800 lbs .. probably a little more than that wet. It too has a great kick stand and is very reliable; the link to the specs of that bike is given below for anyone who cares. In fact, the VTX feels more top heavy than the R3. The VTX is a great handling bike, mind you, but the R3 feels a bit more nimble and yes ofcourse, more torque and power.

Seat height .. yep that is one thing I noticed about the r3. The seat is 1.3 inches higher than the X. I have to look at the R3 seat closer, but believe that the seat can be shaved down a bit at the "thighs" to gain back most of that 1.3 inches.

The VTX is also a hot running bike. Took a solo ride out to Sturgis and back in 2010... man the boys were getting toasted moving an inch at a time down Main St. This NC summer wasnt all that great either ... also add the fact that I ride with full gear all the time .... man ... it gets toasty for sure.

2008 Honda VTX™ 1800 Tourer Spec 2 Reviews, Prices, and Specs

Im also aware that the T is tuned down a bit from the R. But I have to have the T. For one reason I need to carry my laptop .. and no .. I dont want to strap a back pack to my body ... the second reason is the wife cant pack light. Man .. unbelievable. Before we go on trips of any length, I make her put all the "stuff" on the dining room table so I can deny some of it ... can some one please explain to me why she has to take a big bottle of shampoo and condition hairspray etc etc .. when hotels have that stuff in the room ... not to mention shes gonna have helment head .... why ?

Anyway ...

Thanks for all the welcomes ... I still have alot of reading to do here. I actually know the Sales girl ... so whats a good price for one equipped with the following toys ??
Standard Accessories

• Drilled oval mirrors
• Pannier Embellisher kit
• Headlamp visor
• Quick release sissy bar
• Luggage rack
• Rear Fender Rail
• Auxiliary lamps
• Long haul seat
• Roadster windscreen
• Engine Dresser bars
• Pannier dresser rails
• Highway pegs
• Adjustable pegs mounts
• Adjustable riders backrest
• Passenger backrest

Best Ive seen here in NC is $16,999 for a 2011 ...