Noisy or not?!!!

First-Ride like a Pro is a great investment for you. He has a number of videos on Youtube. Get the download. Slow speed practice in a parking lot will pay big Dividends.

Second-counter steering is a must to understand.

My advice to add. Friction Zone-The front brake is for stopping and the back brake is for control.

As you are coming to a stop let off the front brake while applying the back brake.
Apply a little gas and let off the clutch till you feel it starting to engage.
You will still be stopping and will pull the clutch in a again as you come to a complete stop.
I put my left foot down before releasing the brake with my right and planting it.
If you are doing it right you feel the bike gain balance or what I call stand up.
This is really easy to do, but it is a dance you must learn.
You will find it useful for stopping and slow turns.
Start in a parking lot going in a straight line.

This is covered in Ride Like a Pro.

What you are discovering is the difference between a smaller bike and the largest production motorcycle in the world. I just recently got a 2015 R3T myself. I had been riding a Triumph America. Even though I know this stuff the America did not demand I use these skills. The Rocket taught me real quick the errors of my ways.

You cannot man handle the Rocket, but it is a beast that can be tamed with skill and finesse.

Welcome from Indiana, welcome to the family, enjoy the ride.

Bruce said:

Hi all,

Got myself my new R3T, please see attached pictures. She's a 2014 with 7,000 miles and custom paint. I can hear some noise when it's ticking over (idling/running). When I pull the clutch in the noise stops but starts again when I release it. It seems like there's a noise when I'm riding too, kind of metallic, though when I stop and remove my helmet it doesn't seem as apparent. Can anybody please tell me if this is normal engine noise or not? I've just put it through its MOT check and it sailed through without any advisories.

Also, it's my first bike, (I know, I'm a crazy old bastard!!), and I'm finding it a bit clumsy to get through sharp corners. I've literally just passed my test on an MT07, Yamaha, and that was a lot easier. Any tips to make this easier?

And another thing, it seems to get freaking hot! We've just had a spell of unusually hot weather in the UK, and wearing all my protection I was cooking sat on the Rocket. Is this also the norm?

Many thanks in advance for any and all replies, cheers

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Mines made the slight noise/feel in the clutch lever since forever, its just the way the mechanism works.

Bruce said:

Also, it's my first bike, (I know, I'm a crazy old bastard!!), and I'm finding it a bit clumsy to get through sharp corners. I

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Just requires Practise. The R3 has a long wheelbase and slightly raked forks. The MT07 is quite a different chassis. The R3 will therefore feel lazy compared to anything moderately sporty.

ime of the twisty stuff both here in the backhills and near my mums in Dorset, the R3 is easily outclassed by a lot of vehicles with nimbler chassis. It's however very competitive on the open road. Also if you're running standard Suspension - it's build more for comfort than agility. Easily changed with an open wallet.

And heed the advice - If an R3 decides NOT to do something you need to be VERY strong to fight it. Let it guide you to discover its pros and cons - then lean to take advantage of them. If you mess with it - it will almost certainly kick you off.

I find the best way to get rid of noise is to wear ear plugs . Seriously though, you're sitting right on top of a huge, not very refined lump of an engine so it's bound to sound noisy compared to a small, modern one. Your clutch sounds just like mine. Don't underestimate wind noise either, lots of whistling and roaring even at quite low speed.

As for the riding, it's just practice as others have said. What you've done is like passing your driving test in a mini then immediately buying a large, very fast SUV; it's going to take a bit of getting used to. Anyway, good choice, good luck and hope to see you at one of the UK meets.

Kevm said:

I find the best way to get rid of noise is to wear ear plugs . Seriously though, you're sitting right on top of a huge, not very refined lump of an engine so it's bound to sound noisy compared to a small, modern one. Your clutch sounds just like mine. Don't underestimate wind noise either, lots of whistling and roaring even at quite low speed.

As for the riding, it's just practice as others have said. What you've done is like passing your driving test in a mini then immediately buying a large, very fast SUV; it's going to take a bit of getting used to. Anyway, good choice, good luck and hope to see you at one of the UK meets.

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Cheers mate, let me know when the next one is!!

I'm not sure on the Touring, but on my Roadster the steering feel lightened up immensely by switching the front tire to a 140.