Gimlet
Supercharged
Sadly the R3 has had to go. I've got three bikes and I need to slim down to one bike right now for financial reasons. I need an all-rounder and much as I loved the Rocket that meant something lighter and more agile (not that the R3 wasn't a great handling bike - it was).
I wanted something that would give me a similar sense of earth-moving thrust you get from a Rocket but lighter with a more conventional roadster riding position that would be comfortable all day and have nimble back-road handling without being too focused or cramped like a sports bike or supernaked.
After much thought I've bought this:
It was of similar value to the Rocket so it was almost a straight swap trade-in with little money changing hands.
How does it compare? Remarkably well. I've got a Ducati already plus a KTM so I'm used to big twins, nevertheless I had to recalibrate my brain to a big punchy, high revving V after the silky low revving triple. Took a few miles but I'm there now.
You can't just roll along at 2500 rpm on the Rocket's huge torque. You have to keep it above 4K but when you do and use the engine correctly it has just as much acceleration as an R3. It's got the DVT variable valve timing engine which means there's masses of torque everywhere. Not as much as the Rocket's but as it's so much lighter you can't tell the difference. In fact it's blisteringly quick. It has the same 240 setion rear tyre but it's a 17" Pirelli with a much more sporty profile and TBH it handles like any other supernaked with fully adjustable Ohlins suspension and there's loads of ground clearance. Enough to get to the edge of the tyre before anything touches down.
It's not as comfortable as the armchair GT but it's by no means bad. I could ride it all day, albeit with welcome fuel stops.
I'm genuinely sad to see the Rocket go. Ideally I'd be able to keep every great bike I've ever bought but needs must and you can't always have everything you want.
I think I've made the right choice. Hope I can still look in here from time to time as it's a civilised grown-up site with lots of interesting content.
I wanted something that would give me a similar sense of earth-moving thrust you get from a Rocket but lighter with a more conventional roadster riding position that would be comfortable all day and have nimble back-road handling without being too focused or cramped like a sports bike or supernaked.
After much thought I've bought this:
It was of similar value to the Rocket so it was almost a straight swap trade-in with little money changing hands.
How does it compare? Remarkably well. I've got a Ducati already plus a KTM so I'm used to big twins, nevertheless I had to recalibrate my brain to a big punchy, high revving V after the silky low revving triple. Took a few miles but I'm there now.
You can't just roll along at 2500 rpm on the Rocket's huge torque. You have to keep it above 4K but when you do and use the engine correctly it has just as much acceleration as an R3. It's got the DVT variable valve timing engine which means there's masses of torque everywhere. Not as much as the Rocket's but as it's so much lighter you can't tell the difference. In fact it's blisteringly quick. It has the same 240 setion rear tyre but it's a 17" Pirelli with a much more sporty profile and TBH it handles like any other supernaked with fully adjustable Ohlins suspension and there's loads of ground clearance. Enough to get to the edge of the tyre before anything touches down.
It's not as comfortable as the armchair GT but it's by no means bad. I could ride it all day, albeit with welcome fuel stops.
I'm genuinely sad to see the Rocket go. Ideally I'd be able to keep every great bike I've ever bought but needs must and you can't always have everything you want.
I think I've made the right choice. Hope I can still look in here from time to time as it's a civilised grown-up site with lots of interesting content.
