Looking at Rocket 3 Touring to Buy

[Hyehog]

Been riding for a LONG time.....currently ride a 2020 Indian Challenger Dark Horse, which I love (and have a whole shed full of HD's wearing out the kickstands!) but always seem to be looking for MORE power/torque. There are no real proven aftermarket performance mods for the 108 Powerplus engine in the Indian. But I'll give it to Polaris...they built a nice machine. But I want more power.....in a TOURING bike, not a sport bike. And forget spending another $15K for engine upgrades to any of my HD's; I think a stick R3 will dust most modded HD's! And not into the BWM look of their 6-cyl model. A buddy of mine said to check out the 3-cyl Rocket 3 Touring. Any thoughts, suggestions, what to look for, what to be careful about, best years, worst years, am I'm taking a step back, etc, etc, etc.? I do like the look of the R3 and the first criteria for most motorcyclists is that the bike needs to look (and feel!) good and I have no doubts about the look of the Touring. Looking for more insight from long time owners about this particular model. Lastly, what performance tunes are available to maximize the output of that 3-cyl beast!? Thanks for all of your input.

 

[johnreeder]

I have 2 Tourers. I'm planning to sell my 08 white/black with 20,000 miles. It has been remapped and haa TOR exhaust. Lots of OEM chrome. Very nice bike. The way it is currently set up it's probably pushing 130 hp and 150 feet lbs of torque. If you're interested I'll get photos to you. I'm located in southern Illinois.

 

[Hyehog]

I have 2 Tourers. I'm planning to sell my 08 white/black with 20,000 miles. It has been remapped and haa TOR exhaust. Lots of OEM chrome. Very nice bike. The way it is currently set up it's probably pushing 130 hp and 150 feet lbs of torque. If you're interested I'll get photos to you. I'm located in southern Illinois.

Hey John, thanks for chiming in. I've seen that color.....and not crazy about the "oreo" colors......and was looking for a little bit newer model to be honest with you. While I have you, any issues with your 2008 bike? What have you done for maintenance? Thnx again!

 

[johnreeder]

Hey John, thanks for chiming in. I've seen that color.....and not crazy about the "oreo" colors......and was looking for a little bit newer model to be honest with you. While I have you, any issues with your 2008 bike? What have you done for maintenance? Thnx again!

 

[GPMAZ]

Make sure when you're discussing bikes with people you understand the difference between the Tourer model and the Touring model. The Touring model came out in 2008 and included hard bags, a windshield and a single headlight. The Tourer models preceded the Touring and had the twin headlights.

 

[johnreeder]

I've owned 3. My first was a 2005 black standard ( Roadster). It had Corbin hard bags and fairing. I fell in love after a test ride at Sturgis one year. I never knew what the word torque meant until I road the R3. Other than tires, batteries, and oil changes I really haven't had to do much. The valve adjustment/check is probably the most challenging, but that's only every 20,000 miles out so and that's not a have, but should be done. I've attached a few photos. The other 2 are the ones I've mentioned.

 

[johnreeder]

I've owned 3. My first was a 2005 black standard ( Roadster). It had Corbin hard bags and fairing. I fell in love after a test ride at Sturgis one year. I never knew what the word torque meant until I road the R3. Other than tires, batteries, and oil changes I really haven't had to do much. The valve adjustment/check is probably the most challenging, but that's only every 20,000 miles out so and that's not a have, but should be done. I've attached a few photos. The other 2 are the ones I've mentioned.

Hey John, thanks for chiming in. I've seen that color.....and not crazy about the "oreo" colors......and was looking for a little bit newer model to be honest with you. While I have you, any issues with your 2008 bike? What have you done for maintenance? Thnx again!

Here's my red/black R3T.

 

[johnreeder]

I've owned 3. My first was a 2005 black standard ( Roadster). It had Corbin hard bags and fairing. I fell in love after a test ride at Sturgis one year. I never knew what the word torque meant until I road the R3. Other than tires, batteries, and oil changes I really haven't had to do much. The valve adjustment/check is probably the most challenging, but that's only every 20,000 miles out so and that's not a have, but should be done. I've attached a few photos. The other 2 are the ones I've mentioned.

 

[johnreeder]

Hey John, thanks for chiming in. I've seen that color.....and not crazy about the "oreo" colors......and was looking for a little bit newer model to be honest with you. While I have you, any issues with your 2008 bike? What have you done for maintenance? Thnx again!

Here's a photo of my 2005 standard.

 

[johnreeder]

Here's one more from the rear.