I'm Back maybe

[cusso ken]

The Rockets certainly have that unique presence it's the reliability issue that pi**ed me off ,I have done lots of 1000Ks days on the GTR recently went to the Superbikes at Phillip Island 1200Ks each way both one day rides effortless with all the handling and performance I could want ,and proven Japanese reliability, with a RJs extendable bag on the Ventura Rack enough room for everything you want to carry

 

[Bigjaype]

The Rockets certainly have that unique presence it's the reliability issue that pi**ed me off ,I have done lots of 1000Ks days on the GTR recently went to the Superbikes at Phillip Island 1200Ks each way both one day rides effortless with all the handling and performance I could want ,and proven Japanese reliability, with a RJs extendable bag on the Ventura Rack enough room for everything you want to carry

What sort of issues did you have? I've bought an older one, 2006, with almost 75000km....I've owned a Honda that I took up to 160000km. But the Honda's were known to be bullet proof.

 

[cusso ken]

Water pump failure ,detent spring broken, improperly installed(factory) spacer in the gearbox causing the gears to half mesh and wear at the edges , ignition switch failure, cam chain tensioner cracked about to break luckily discovered during rebuild all before 40000klms of gentle riding with oil and filter changes every 5000klms ,I must have got a Lemon others have had a good run out of their Rockets.most big Japanese bikes are good for at least 100000 Klms trouble free, and they can take a thrashing without breaking

 

[warp9.9]

What sort of issues did you have? I've bought an older one, 2006, with almost 75000km....I've owned a Honda that I took up to 160000km. But the Honda's were known to be bullet proof.

Shhh, Steels 06 has over 132,000 miles on it don't freak him out

 

[Bigjaype]

Shhh, Steels 06 has over 132,000 miles on it don't freak him out

Ah...that's comforting.
I've always ridden my bikes fairly hard...but respected the rev limits, cold engine and frequent liquid changes.

 

[bopa54]

What kind of engine failures did you have ?

2007 R3, Both bearings on the output shaft failed (140+Kph) wrecked crankcases, never been a problem according to Triumph Oz. Yet I sourced a whole upgrade Kit from US (Nth County Yamaha were excellent I have forgotten the guy I dealt with name) that included bearings gaskets and many parts I did not require with several A4 sheets detailing parts included under the TRIUMPH letterhead was written this is the Triumph Rocket 3 upgrade kit to enhance your Rocket 3 ownership. All parts/bits in the Kit were in OEM packaging.
Bike has been trailered from shed to shed for Several local guys have 4 x attempts to repair crankcase bearing area (all of which cost $) but have failed motor runs & sounds great in neutral but has high pitched whine when gears engaged. then on second run after put back together for the final time the clutch lifter broke, new one has been ordered. WHAT NEXT.

2009 dead stock R3 purchased to place my goodies on Wave discs, powder coated wheels, T bars, sissy bar & rack etc. everything else on the bike was stock and it had 19,000 km's on the clock. On an overnight ride the Bike started to vibrate badly so it was trailered home total of 600kms and investigations began.
In the centre of the Alternator housing that bolts onto the crankshaft, there is a approx. 42mm x 5mm cast washer this washer broke into 4 pieces ( I still have the offending washer) allowing the Alternator housing to vibrate and short out along the balance shaft and the burnt out a bearing at the end of the shaft. Washer & bearing were replaced and bike sold.

 

[bopa54]

When I hear of the mileages some bikes have achieved I am dead set JEALOUS

 

[1olbull]

3 times lucky they say,I hope it turns out that way,I ran away screaming when my R3Ts gearbox Sh** it'self and bought a new Kawasaki 1400 GTR my son has thethe Touring and repaired it ,I ride it now and again and am watching if Triumph build another "big" bike and may be tempted, but love the GTR it's a keeper

Hiya, Ken!
Sweet motor that Concours!
I gave a very serious look at a new 2012 version before settling on my R3R.
I even researched ways to move the pegs/controls forward with no luck.
I wish my knees and hips still flexed as yours must.
Friend of mine rode one for years and rode it extremely well!
An excellent handling motor - much better than the Rocket.

 

[cusso ken]

Hiya, Ken!
Sweet motor that Concours!
I gave a very serious look at a new 2012 version before settling on my R3R.
I even researched ways to move the pegs/controls forward with no luck.
I wish my knees and hips still flexed as yours must.
Friend of mine rode one for years and rode it extremely well!
An excellent handling motor - much better than the Rocket.

Steve I think my legs are flexible from 50 years of driving manual gearbox trucks with millions of gear changes also I have a cast iron butt for the same reason, I can still concentrate on a 16hour ride better than most young blokes,the GTR is a great bike as are the Rockets just in a different way

 

[Tal]

Steve I think my legs are flexible from 50 years of driving manual gearbox trucks with millions of gear changes also I have a cast iron butt for the same reason, I can still concentrate on a 16hour ride better than most young blokes,the GTR is a great bike as are the Rockets just in a different way

so you used the clutch then?...me too, must be old school as some of our guys slide thru the gears with no clutch...i find that hard to get into...consequently i get sore knees....
2011 T408 Kenworth logger....18 speed R/R