Observations From a New Owner

[Old N' Grumpy]

Welcome from Florida. Enjoy your stay.

 

[Bob R]

Yes, I think you may very well be right, at least in my case. The Rivco website says that the risers will raise the bars 1 inch and bring them 2 inches closer. These bars are radically different than anything I've previously ridden and the increased width and being so close, I believe is why it feels so alien. I'm going to experiment with rolling them ahead a little at a time and see if that improves things.

If you want to see how the risers feel on a touring we need to meet up. I assume you are kind of close, I am in Medical Lake.

bob

 

[WildBill]

If you want to see how the risers feel on a touring we need to meet up. I assume you are kind of close, I am in Medical Lake.

bob

I'm in Oakesdale...About an hour away.

 

[Cameo]

Been lusting for a Rocket 3 Touring for the last couple years. Found a 2013 with lots of bells and whistles and only 2050 miles in California. Flew down, bought it and rode it home to the eastern Washington/Idaho border. First a little background. I've been riding since '69. Got my first "big bike" a '67 Triumph T100C in 1971. I've owned nothing but Triumphs since. My current stable is a 1975 T160 Trident, '98 Trident 900, '06 Scrambler 900 and a '95 Trophy 1200 4 which has been my trip bike and 2 up bike and is now for sale. Several other Triumphs in between. Riding these style of bikes to a R3 is quite a change. I was a logger for 22 years and got banged up a few times over the years and as a result am getting arthritic. 400 mile days on the Trophy were hurting me and it was time to make a change. Slow speeds (taking off, gas stations, stop lights/signs) on this Rocket are going to take some getting used to for sure, and I need quite a bit more practice before I feel confident enough to put the wife on the back. I have been reading threads on a couple forums about the Metzler tires and don't think much of them. They just don't feel right and they were properly inflated according to the owners manual.

I will put on Avons, which I have had on all my other bikes (except the Scram). Once rolling, this bike is everything I was hoping for. Very comfortable. Good power to pass and the ergonomics are great. I will be taking off the California smog apparatus this winter. Hope I didn't put anyone to sleep with this long winded post, but glad to be here.

Hi, I'm just curious, what do you mean by "California smog apparatus" , I'm from Canada, don't get much smog here...

 

[WildBill]

Hi, I'm just curious, what do you mean by "California smog apparatus" , I'm from Canada, don't get much smog here...

It's an emissions device that's only required in California. They're kind of restrictive and also cut into fuel mileage. When I take it off, I'd be happy to send it to you if you pay the shipping

 

[Bob R]

Actually, I think they put the emissions stuff on all US Rockets after a certain year. My non-California Touring had it on there. It may even be a North America thing so even the Canadians will have it.

bob

 

[rocketjohn]

Other than stingy fuel/air all mine had was in the beginning catalytic converter...first owner get that gone, and vapor recovery...which doesn't steal power, but I needed the space for another device.

 

[Navigator]

Hey Wild Bill, welcome from another wet side Washingtonian with a shop full of vintage Triumph twins, parts, engines, special tools etc. Your new T is a peach. I'm liking that tour back and wondered if one can be installed.

Just bought a pristine 09 T with just over 6k on it from a guy who had every accessory available installed on it, to include cruise control. I love it already. It absolutely amazes me how Harley can get so much for a used bike while these beauties don't hold their value as much. Good for us though.

I too will be getting new tires only because I'm a bit concerned about having 8 year old tires on mine, even in great condition that they seem to be. I've had Metzlers on Harleys and other bikes and thought they performed pretty well but burned up fairly early. I put Bridgestone Exedra Maxs on my Kawasaki Nomad 1600 about 3K ago and guys on the Vulcan forum tell me they'll burn through fairly quickly too. I'm hearing good things about the Michelins.

 

[barbagris]

Mike - Corbin Motorcycle Seats & Accessories | Fleetliner & Streamliner Trunkbox | 800-538-7035 - prepare your wallet-

 

[Navigator]

Mike - Corbin Motorcycle Seats & Accessories | Fleetliner & Streamliner Trunkbox | 800-538-7035 - prepare your wallet-

Oh yeah. I've had several Corbin seats over the years, to include one on the 2007 Classic Tourer that I gave to my son. I had just visited Corbin and bought a one new for the Rocket when one came up for sale on dBay for half the price. Timing is everything. Their batwing fairings are stupidly expensive. The Vulcan Nomad guys install one by Reckless that appears to be very nice and in the under $400 range.

My T came with a very nice insulated T-Bag that will probably do me nicely, plus I have an attic full of other soft bags. A nice little tour pack is useful though.

So far I think the Touring seat with backrest that came with mine is a pretty nice seat. I removed the backrest for local riding and will install it for long rides.