I'm worried about engine failure

[Waylonizer]

I too have been researching every Rocket for sale in America for purchase. I test drove one a while back and was pretty much sold.
I've read the 17 pages of posts about the timing chain failure, and I got "vuja de," a place I don't want to go all over again. About 30 years ago, I bought a new Triumph Trident. In the first 100 miles, I had to have the bike re-wired (Lucas electrics!) after it almost caught on fire (electrical wire smoke coming from under the gas tank), the engine rebuilt (they forgot to put rings on a piston at the factory), and the clutch re-done (the little hard rubber cushions disintegrated).
Over the years, I've had a Norton, three Hondas, two Harleys and have thought about either a Rocket or a H-D Wide Glide in the next two months, when prices are down. Anyway, what is stopping me is this nightmare sense that I could be riding my Rocket hundreds of miles out in the middle of nowhere and the engine breaks down. I am not willing to be "a prisoner of hope." I am also a pilot, and I never would fly my plane the moment I felt I was hoping my way through a flight. I also am no mechanic and as an author, even if I did have mechanical skills, do not have time to wrench.
So I too am looking for the best advice possible: Is this timing chain foul-up a huge red flag to buying used Rocket, like an '05? How many miles would you trust this engine to run problem-free?
Thank you to all you people who have provided so much information on this site. I greatly appreciate the fraternity.

 

[Pig9r]

Welcome Waylonizer. I moved your post out of the classified forum so everyone could find it.

The amount of bikes affected seem like a small percentage. But of course the newer the bike you get the more bugs that have been worked out. There are riders with many 10's of thousands of miles on 04's and 05's without any problems.

The the only thing that the old Triumphs have in common with the new ones is that they share the same name.

 

[Ugarte]

Think of another bike you might like to purchase and then read up on the internet about it. You will likely find as much or more negatives posted about it as the Rocket. FWIW, I have 54 thousand miles on my 05 and no problems. On the other hand I don't do burnouts and wheelies on it either, and its bone stock except for touring accessories.

Its a great bike to own. Virtually every time I walk up to my bike to ride it I think "what a bike....wow! It never gets old, its ALWAYS a kick in the butt to ride. Take a chance on one, chances are very high you will be glad you did.

 

[Silver Bullet]

Welcome Waylonizer

Welcome to the site. You are at a cross roads. All Captains have been there at one time or another. I bought my 05 in September of 07', used with 3500 miles on it. I was well aware of the issues including the timing chain/crank sprocket. I bought it anyway because I liked the looks, ride, and power of the bike. My needs dictated that I have a ride with "something extra" under the tank because I am a large person. You may buy an R3 for your own reasons. As long as you buy the bike you want and are relatively sure it is in good repair regarding maintenance...you have done all you can do. The rest you have to trust to luck and the forbearance of gremlins...lol. Any brand name you want to mention has had its "mistakes" and problems. Triumph is no different.

I can tell you that I currently own another bike. An 01' Honda Valkyrie. Great bike but not a Rocket and not a brand or bike without its little mechanical problems. With the Valks the Carbs (6) can be and are an issue of high maintenance.

Point is...go with you gut feeling on any given bike. The R3 offers what no other cruiser does...torque and HP. What you would be willing to pay for that "status" as a rider/owner is up to you to determine. Mechnical issues and breakdowns are part of the reason we own/ride bikes. Kinda like getting married....it may work out....and then it might not.......Good Luck SB.

P.S. I hate tell you this but you are "a prisoner of hope" with motorcycles or marriage...

 

[PianoMan]

Glad you've joined

Speaking only for my R3, bought in April 05, currently with over 11,000 miles......it's been a dream. So far nothing of any importance has caused it to fail. It's run flawlessly for 12 hour days of riding or just running around town and has always been dependable. The only time it wouldn't run was when somebody hit the "Kill switch" outside the Home Depot and I didn't notice it till the tow truck dropped me and the bike at the house!

Duh!

 

[goodfellow]

Think of another bike you might like to purchase and then read up on the internet about it. You will likely find as much or more negatives posted about it as the Rocket. FWIW, I have 54 thousand miles on my 05 and no problems. On the other hand I don't do burnouts and wheelies on it either, and its bone stock except for touring accessories.

Its a great bike to own. Virtually every time I walk up to my bike to ride it I think "what a bike....wow! It never gets old, its ALWAYS a kick in the butt to ride. Take a chance on one, chances are very high you will be glad you did.

plus 1 what ugarte said; and i definitely do burnouts and wheelies.no problems......

it's the perfect bike,..... mine is not bone stock........ so what are you waiting for? go ahead,get one. it'll be ok.........


greg

 

[Paul Hyland]

Um

Piano! wasn't it your wife who fixed your bike??
Waylonizer, I have a 06 and like Ugaret my bike is stock and I have had no problems with mine. I have ridden mine 9.5 hours straight in the heat of Texas with out any problems. I just can't believe you are thinking about a HD if you are worried about being stranded some were, they are kings of break down.
I was like you when I was looking. I originality was going to get a Suzuki M109 and when I looked on there sight I couldn’t believe the problems it was having. All bikes have there quirks.
I think you will be very happy with the R3 especially if you get a new one. Every time I hear of a problem here I ask my mechanic and 9 times out of 10 he hasn't seen the problem and most the bikes he doe's repair are do to the owners abuse or neglect. The R3 is a stand alone bike and you won’t regret getting it.

 

[Baggage1]

Welcome to the place where you will find out anything you want. I put 21000 on my 06' in 13 mo. without leaving me in the lurch. Nothing fell off, it never stopped running strong all day every day. A pilot has to trust his mechanics and it is the same with any vehicle if you don't do it yourself, and I don't have the time but to put on accessories. I would rather be going places. Also you have to realize that issues on forums will be visibly blown out of true proportion given the whole picture there were very few comparatively speaking and they were fixed by Triumph. Get an extended warranty with the money you saved getting a pre-owned unit.

 

[Sidecar Flip]

Welcome. Everything mechanical breaks sooner or later. That's the nature of machinery. Even you break ocassionally.

I'd say the R3 problems are sporadic from what I've seen and I've been 'around here' for quite some time.

 

[TxRIIIRider]

Like the others, I have an early '04 model with 30,000 trouble free miles on it. I have Triumph's "off-road" exhaust, cat by-pass, Power Commander, and a K&N air filter. I have pulled a wheelie on occaision, and the rear tire is too easy to spin to not try that every once in a while.. I've ridden pretty much all over the middle of our great country.. up to Oklahoma, Colorado, Sturgis, Kansas, Nebraska, Louisiana.. with no fear of breaking down anywhere. The biggest fear was if I needed a rear tire. Those can't be found on every corner. But never had a problem there either..

It's been a great bike and one I won't be getting rid of until I'm too old and feeble and have to get a lighter bike...