longer range cruising needs...

[Robm422]

Okay, did a 300 mile cruise yesterday, covering everything from canyons to windy mountain passes, to extended highway runs. This isn't a long trip for some people, but for me, it was pretty good day of motorcycling. So I came to the conclusion that to be a long range cruiser, the rocket would need a few things. 1. Six or even seven gears- when you are going for hours at at a time above 70mph, the engine rpms are way too high, its not relaxing when your cruising at 80mph and your rpms are around 3000. Its fine for bursts of speed, but gets really annoying. Cruising at 90, even more annoying the engine is working way to hard and vibration wears you out.
2. Bigger wind screen- i have a fly screen, and the wind hits you right in the helmet. It is enough coverage for shorter duration, but for the longer freeway stretches, the wind works you.
3. Highway pegs- to stretch those lega out.
4. Better seat- although pretty good for shorter bouts, my backside was so sore when I got home, it hurt to sit down for a few hours afterward.

Fortunately, 3 out of 4 are doable modifications, but the main problem, the gearing isn't. I guess when I retire, and want to do interstate touring, I'm going to have to go for something else, maybe the tried and true gullwing. They just look so lame! Oh well, i guess by then, I won't care about looking cool at all.

 

[MickyB]

Okay, did a 300 mile cruise yesterday, covering everything from canyons to windy mountain passes, to extended highway runs. This isn't a long trip for some people, but for me, it was pretty good day of motorcycling. So I came to the conclusion that to be a long range cruiser, the rocket would need a few things. 1. Six or even seven gears- when you are going for hours at at a time above 70mph, the engine rpms are way too high, its not relaxing when your cruising at 80mph and your rpms are around 3000. Its fine for bursts of speed, but gets really annoying. Cruising at 90, even more annoying the engine is working way to hard and vibration wears you out.
2. Bigger wind screen- i have a fly screen, and the wind hits you right in the helmet. It is enough coverage for shorter duration, but for the longer freeway stretches, the wind works you.
3. Highway pegs- to stretch those lega out.
4. Better seat- although pretty good for shorter bouts, my backside was so sore when I got home, it hurt to sit down for a few hours afterward.

Fortunately, 3 out of 4 are doable modifications, but the main problem, the gearing isn't. I guess when I retire, and want to do interstate touring, I'm going to have to go for something else, maybe the tried and true gullwing. They just look so lame! Oh well, i guess by then, I won't care about looking cool at all.

I agree with the seat, looking at a single. I have the fly screen and love it, might be a height thing. Highway pegs, yeah maybe. 6th gear, absolutely.

 

[IROCKIT]

I feel your pain literally, I did 700 miles this week and 500 was in one day some country roads some interstate and my ass just was horrible after the day. My right arm felt like it was asleep for about a day, I guess from the vibration at high speeds. My average speed was in the 80s so it had pretty high RPMs but tis what it tis.

 

[idk]

It shouldn't be vibrating. You may want to check a few things, such as balancing the throttle bodies.

 

[IROCKIT]

It wasn't super bad but after 4 hrs of interstate at 80+ you could feel it for sure.

 

[Maelstrom]

Okay, did a 300 mile cruise yesterday, covering everything from canyons to windy mountain passes, to extended highway runs. This isn't a long trip for some people, but for me, it was pretty good day of motorcycling. So I came to the conclusion that to be a long range cruiser, the rocket would need a few things. 1. Six or even seven gears- when you are going for hours at at a time above 70mph, the engine rpms are way too high, its not relaxing when your cruising at 80mph and your rpms are around 3000. Its fine for bursts of speed, but gets really annoying. Cruising at 90, even more annoying the engine is working way to hard and vibration wears you out.
2. Bigger wind screen- i have a fly screen, and the wind hits you right in the helmet. It is enough coverage for shorter duration, but for the longer freeway stretches, the wind works you.
3. Highway pegs- to stretch those lega out.
4. Better seat- although pretty good for shorter bouts, my backside was so sore when I got home, it hurt to sit down for a few hours afterward.

Fortunately, 3 out of 4 are doable modifications, but the main problem, the gearing isn't. I guess when I retire, and want to do interstate touring, I'm going to have to go for something else, maybe the tried and true gullwing. They just look so lame! Oh well, i guess by then, I won't care about looking cool at all.

A 6th gear would be nice...I wouldn't worry too much about the higher RPMs as the motor was designed to operate at higher Levels than standard cruisers. But a 6th gear for long range cruising at high speed would be more efficient and would probably save some gas I would think. A seat change would help, I would advise some form of lumbar support (either integrated into the seat or as an added accessory) for long range or short range as well. I use a "Lazy Rider" sissy bar bag, it rests in front of the sissy bar and has an adjustable lumbar support that has made a WORLD of difference in riding comfort.
Not sure what is causing the "vibration" problem, mine wont start vibrating until around 115 mph and gets pretty bad at 125, not that I go that fast very often...

 

[tdragger]

As you can see from my sig line below, I use my Rocket for IBA long distance riding. A Standard Roc is not made for it but I've made the necessary adjustments to make it work for now.

The seat is the most critical. I've tried everything short of a Russell. Since I'm rather heavy the Corbin has been the best, however, I recently added some Beadrider beads and it has made a world of difference.

I'm not a fan of shifting so a 6th gear is not my preference. I'd rather see Triumph change the gear ratios and make 5th a touring gear. There's more than enough torque to spread the gear ratios out a bit. It could possibly be done without any major retooling on the production side.

The other thing required for LD riding are better headlights. I'm running JW Speaker 8630 Evolutions and they are amazing.

 

[warp9.9]

Robinson Industries does a heavier 4th gear for the Rocket. I am not sure if they could do helical gears or not but the easiest way to alter the ratio without a engine redesign would be to alter the ratio between the transmission out put gear and the out put drive gear. You can not change center to center distance on the shafts so you play with the angle of helix to keep center to center the same. Say drop a tooth on the out put drive or maybe two I would have to run the math.

 

[Rick Morris]

I agree Robm. I have an 2011 R3R and I too get a little sore on a long trip. I am adding the Rivco Highway pegs to stretch the legs. I am trying to figure out a seat for both long single and two up rides. 6th gear would be a huge advantage for long 80 mph rides, but there is nothing we can do about that. The wind isn't as much an issue when riding with a full face helmet now that it is cooler. The seat issue is where I am stumped.

Okay, did a 300 mile cruise yesterday, covering everything from canyons to windy mountain passes, to extended highway runs. This isn't a long trip for some people, but for me, it was pretty good day of motorcycling. So I came to the conclusion that to be a long range cruiser, the rocket would need a few things. 1. Six or even seven gears- when you are going for hours at at a time above 70mph, the engine rpms are way too high, its not relaxing when your cruising at 80mph and your rpms are around 3000. Its fine for bursts of speed, but gets really annoying. Cruising at 90, even more annoying the engine is working way to hard and vibration wears you out.
2. Bigger wind screen- i have a fly screen, and the wind hits you right in the helmet. It is enough coverage for shorter duration, but for the longer freeway stretches, the wind works you.
3. Highway pegs- to stretch those lega out.
4. Better seat- although pretty good for shorter bouts, my backside was so sore when I got home, it hurt to sit down for a few hours afterward.

Fortunately, 3 out of 4 are doable modifications, but the main problem, the gearing isn't. I guess when I retire, and want to do interstate touring, I'm going to have to go for something else, maybe the tried and true gullwing. They just look so lame! Oh well, i guess by then, I won't care about looking cool at all.

 

[Troy]

I have made several long distance trips on my 14 R3R, and I have done everything you have talked about! Except the 6th gear of course. I have the Corbin seat with detachable back rest, that goes on for trips. I have the highway pegs, larger roadster screen and ISO grips. I have no problem running comfortable as the HD Ultra classics I run with. I do wish there was a 6 th gear, or taller 5th gear just for the gas. However min was getting nearly 37mpg running 75-&0 mph. That was pretty close to all my other riders with 6 gears.