Purchase advice request

[frkmbolin]

Looking for a little advice from you experienced RIII riders out there. 2020 was a hard year for me with bikes. I started the year with a 2004 Honda Rune that I'd had since 2007 (only owner). It was totaled in an accident in May 2020 when a driver cut me off. I then bought my first RIII, 2005 Red, the most purely enjoyable ride I've ever had. I took a long ride on it in October (600 miles or so), and was left sore for days. I thought, perhaps it's time for the "old man" bike, and traded it, title for title, for a 2003 Goldwing. In less than 2 months, I was unsatisfied with that, and the other guys was likewise unsatisfied. We've both posted the bikes for sale on FB (he doesn't want to just trade back). In the meantime, though, I have 2 local used options at dealers that I could just trade for, rather than working through trying to sell and then buy again, a 2013 RIII Touring (2013 Triumph Rocket III Touring Two-tone | European Cycle Sports Ltd) and a 2015 Roadster (2015 Used TRIUMPH ROCKET III ROADSTER NICE UPGRADES!!! at MJ Sales Cycles Serving Fort Worth, TX, IID 20467780). With the Roadster, I would end up eventually putting hard bags on it, likely Corbin's bags, which I also had on my Rune. I typically use a bike as my daily driver, depending on weather - I'm in Fort Worth, TX. I take 1-2 long rides per year, anywhere from about 600 miles up to about 2000 miles. The wife says I can only have 1 bike at a time. I will never afford a Rune again (I was active duty Army when we bought it, and I'm now retired from the Army and a local pastor here in TX). The RIII is really what I want to ride long-term. Looking for some input, if you have any. Thanks for your experience and advice.

 

[Jay]

I ride a 2013 R3T and love it. I commute, weekend, and tour ride on it. When I first got it the bike was hard to handle and only the power kept me satisfied. Took a bit of money, time, experimenting, and what not to dial in the fit of the cockpit. Now it fits like a glove and that was the difference for me. Handles very well and doesn’t leave me sore.

I changed out front and rear shocks to progressive, handlebars to a Valkyrie set (off a 1997), taller risers for my stature, and the Triumph long haul seat with rider backrest. That seat is a bit tough to find, but the Mustang seat is really excellent as well. There are several threads about shocks. Seems Progressive and Hagon seem to be top choices. I tried a set of Hagon and liked them, but decided to go with progressive because I adjust my preload often and the Hagons seem to be a set and forget shock. My two-up riding on occasion and touring load cause me to adjust the shocks more frequently. Just a personal preference though.

Good luck.

 

[TURBO200R4]

welcome from arizona

 

[sonny]

Roadsters work well. Use as a daily commute and fun to ride.

 

[Stillserving]

I asked the same question before I bought mine. It came down to floorboards, slightly forward seating = Touring or pegs and more upright seating= Roadster

 

[2012cliff]

I've owned 2 Rocket 3 touring and a Roadster. On the Roadster I bought a Russell Day Long seat and my wife and I could ride much further with less fatigue than any other bike we've owned. (Venture Royal, Road Glide, and Rocket 3 touring.) There are always ways to make your bike just right for you.
I don't know to many riders that buy a new bike and don't put more money into it right off the showroom floor.
For me the Rocket Touring needs new bars and a good tune, a car tire on the back and I put a fairing on the front. I put 30000 km on last year.

 

[Mike188]

Welcome from South Australia

 

[ToledoBendTom]

If your interested in another 05 classic, let me know,. Currently researching the chronic ignition switch replacement issue. About 12k miles, needs bags.

 

[rjsjota]

Looking for a little advice from you experienced RIII riders out there. 2020 was a hard year for me with bikes. I started the year with a 2004 Honda Rune that I'd had since 2007 (only owner). It was totaled in an accident in May 2020 when a driver cut me off. I then bought my first RIII, 2005 Red, the most purely enjoyable ride I've ever had. I took a long ride on it in October (600 miles or so), and was left sore for days. I thought, perhaps it's time for the "old man" bike, and traded it, title for title, for a 2003 Goldwing. In less than 2 months, I was unsatisfied with that, and the other guys was likewise unsatisfied. We've both posted the bikes for sale on FB (he doesn't want to just trade back). In the meantime, though, I have 2 local used options at dealers that I could just trade for, rather than working through trying to sell and then buy again, a 2013 RIII Touring (2013 Triumph Rocket III Touring Two-tone | European Cycle Sports Ltd) and a 2015 Roadster (2015 Used TRIUMPH ROCKET III ROADSTER NICE UPGRADES!!! at MJ Sales Cycles Serving Fort Worth, TX, IID 20467780). With the Roadster, I would end up eventually putting hard bags on it, likely Corbin's bags, which I also had on my Rune. I typically use a bike as my daily driver, depending on weather - I'm in Fort Worth, TX. I take 1-2 long rides per year, anywhere from about 600 miles up to about 2000 miles. The wife says I can only have 1 bike at a time. I will never afford a Rune again (I was active duty Army when we bought it, and I'm now retired from the Army and a local pastor here in TX). The RIII is really what I want to ride long-term. Looking for some input, if you have any. Thanks for your experience and advice.

Hi frkmbolin,
I am about to sell my 2015 RIII Roadster, bought new that year. Matte Black, white stripes. Hard bags (Caribou Storm 35L) on Hepco & Becker frames. Set up for a tall rider: custom tall heated Russell Day-Long saddle, adjustable/removable driver backrest, forward controls (Refined Cycle). Black TORs, Traxxion Dynamics fork cartridges, Works Shocks. Lights, dresser bars, other accessories but can be returned to stock.

 

[frkmbolin]

Thanks for all the input. I went with a 2015 R3R this week, for $8000. Will kit it out as needed, depending on usage. Rjsjota, that looks really great!