Not new...but its been awhile

[admiralrocket]

Hey all...as the title states I have been around for a while but haven't posted in over a year. I have been splitting my time across a few bikes and unfortunately my favorite (my R3) hasn't received the love that it really has needed. I have come to the conclusion that I am ready to stop whoring around and finally settle back down with just her...guess I have matured. Anyway, what I really would like do is focus on the overall look and some performance tweeks. As far as the look I want her to be a "blacked out and chopped down" mean looking byotch with a little more power. That is the problem...I have a Silver 05 16K which I think is referred to as a Standard nowadays. To achieve what I want I would need a paint job on the Silver stuff, paint the engine, ceramic the exhaust or buy a black one aftermarket, powdercoat the rims, forks, triple tree...etc. You guys get the idea. Then I would need to do something on the performance side. After looking at this massive undertaking I thought...would I be better off selling her and buying a 2012 Roadster? I would still have to do the rims, exhaust, a little chrome, and chop down the fenders but I would get an instant power boost to boot. I am looking at doing this as a winter project so I have time to make a decision so I figured I would throw this out there and get other people's opinions. Keep in mind that thought of dropping the engine to paint it scares the absolute crap out of me. I have no problem performing general maint. but I am not a mechanic by any means. Thanks for the input.

 

[TxRIIIRider]

The actual power boost is debatable, but you would be way ahead of the game of going black with the Roadster. The foot pegs on the Roadster are farther back and the seat is a bit thicker.. so this will change your riding position some form your Standard.

 

[admiralrocket]

The actual power boost is debatable, but you would be way ahead of the game of going black with the Roadster. The foot pegs on the Roadster are farther back and the seat is a bit thicker.. so this will change your riding position some form your Standard.

On the boost...I will find out this weekend when I test ride one. Specs on my year base model is 142bhp/147.5ftlbs whereas the roadster claims 146bhp/163ftlbs. Not sure that I will be able to tell that much difference. From the dynos I have seen on the roadster it doesn't make that. Of course, a dyno is like a fingerprint...all different.

 

[TOMCAT]

Pretty big task turning a graphite silver engined bike into what you're looking for.. unless you can do all the tearing apart and putting back together i'd give serious consideration to buying an already black Roadster. I reckon it would be a bit of a shame to do the 'black ' to what's becoming a classic older style Rocket .

 

[admiralrocket]

Pretty big task turning a graphite silver engined bike into what you're looking for.. unless you can do all the tearing apart and putting back together i'd give serious consideration to buying an already black Roadster. I reckon it would be a bit of a shame to do the 'black ' to what's becoming a classic older style Rocket .

That is exactly what I was thinking Tomcat. But its just a perfect bike and still has low mileage so its hard to justify getting a new one. Maybe my test ride will show a significant power increase but I doubt it.

 

[echoraven]

Welcome back... Shouldn't an Admiral have more than 1 Rocket?

 

[CanberraR3]

The Roadster will be smooth but I'd be surprised if it felt stronger - I was underwhelmed when I rode one. It's not all blacked out in any case so you'd still have some work to do. For a lot less money you could buy an '08 or '09 black standard and play with that. Good chance you'd find one with some of the work done for you. e.g. Lonzol on here was selling 2 a while back. In the end he only sold Blackie II and kept the blackest bike I've seen. You might find something like that and maybe even be able to keep both Rockets - one a 'classic' and one as your beast.

Main reason I wouldn't buy a Roadster is the riding position. If it doesn't suit you it's a bit of a pain changing it. Lot of plusses though, not least ABS and the exhaust is an improvement aesthetically (but too far the other way for mine).

 

[admiralrocket]

Welcome back... Shouldn't an Admiral have more than 1 Rocket?

Nice...funny, after Tomcat's post I actually pondered that. Unfortunately, that is the situation I am in now and I am splitting time between two bikes. I also have a 2008 ZX14 and really want to condense down to one. I have finally decided that ****** rockets are no longer for me after 24 years. My body is telling me what to do so the 14 has to go.

 

[TOMCAT]

Nice...funny, after Tomcat's post I actually pondered that. Unfortunately, that is the situation I am in now and I am splitting time between two bikes. I also have a 2008 ZX14 and really want to condense down to one. I have finally decided that ****** rockets are no longer for me after 24 years. My body is telling me what to do so the 14 has to go.

That's what i'd be doing , keep your bike as is and find another black engined RIII to do what you want be great to have both. Have an original 'ol school' ( can't believe i used that term for a Rocket) and a customised stealth black one. Never have too many Rockets .. can ya ????

 

[TriumPhil]

On the boost...I will find out this weekend when I test ride one. Specs on my year base model is 142bhp/147.5ftlbs whereas the roadster claims 146bhp/163ftlbs. Not sure that I will be able to tell that much difference. From the dynos I have seen on the roadster it doesn't make that. Of course, a dyno is like a fingerprint...all different.

Hey! How did you get promoted to Admiral, bypassing the rank of we mere Captains so easily???

The specs that you quoted are to the crank, not to the wheel. You can expect to dyno between 120-125 rear wheel hp and between 130-135 ft lbs of torque from your beast if it is stock and in a good state of tune and on an honest dynamometer.