steve59

Nitrous
Joined
Jun 26, 2013
Messages
1,076
Location
carol stream il
Ride
2016 KTM 1290 SDR SE. 2012 K1600 GTL Schwinn S-30
I'm thinking about buying a 2500 to tour on. I tend to pile miles on my bikes fast and am curious about the longevity of the latest R3's? I really enjoyed my 06 R3 standard on the open road. Thanks
 
Just got back from my 5000km trip. For what it's worth. Most of our trips are longer.
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Rockets (any of them) are very reactive to how they are used, more so than most other machines. If you use it gently it is over-engineered for what it is doing, if you use it hard it is under-engineered for the types of forces it is capable of producing. If you want to do generally gentle cruising it will last forever (there are guys with enormous miles on 2300s), if you are going to be pushing hard you will shorten it's life.
 
Rockets (any of them) are very reactive to how they are used, more so than most other machines. If you use it gently it is over-engineered for what it is doing, if you use it hard it is under-engineered for the types of forces it is capable of producing. If you want to do generally gentle cruising it will last forever (there are guys with enormous miles on 2300s), if you are going to be pushing hard you will shorten it's life.
Not sure which one I am but I have 55,000km as well I see if I can get to 100 in under 3s at every chance I can. I push it hard time to time and cruise on it the rest of the time.
 
Rockets (any of them) are very reactive to how they are used, more so than most other machines. If you use it gently it is over-engineered for what it is doing, if you use it hard it is under-engineered for the types of forces it is capable of producing. If you want to do generally gentle cruising it will last forever (there are guys with enormous miles on 2300s), if you are going to be pushing hard you will shorten its life.
I run Lovely Rita, meter maid, pretty darn hard. I’m not saying jackrabbit starts at every light and stop sign and I do enjoy a leisurely cruise through the idyllic countryside when it presents itself. But, a good series of corners and she gets laid on pretty hard. Plus, the drag strip, probably the most brutal test of powertrain, transmission and tires. She has probably around 20 runs. And finally got her into the high 10’s. Driveshaft splines look great, final drive oil is metal-free. No oil leaks. No weird sounds. I also practice panic-braking fairly often. I want to know what she will do at 30, 80 or 140mph. Am I shortening her life? Probably, but to what extent? A thoroughbred cooped up in a stall might live a long life, or it might die of frustration. She deserves to howl and was built for it. At 68yo one of us is going to outlive the other, my money is on her.
 
My 2020 3R just went past 50K miles. Let's just say the sides of my tires wear down well before the middle here in twisty land (western NC), so Roxanne gets her ears yanked back routinely.
I sold my 2012 k1600 gtl yesterday to make room for a new R3 and am checking all the boxes off the list. Tank range, luggage options etc. My 2300 06 standard was set up perfect for touring and I want to see how close I can come with the new model.
I load mine for camping regularly. The Roadster accommodated gear more easily, but with the panniers and backrest I'm able to bring everything I need on the 3R, including a few luxury items like a small ice chest, foldable cot and camp chair.
 
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