Mittzy
The Hooligan - Just Doing Stuff
- Joined
- Aug 29, 2011
- Messages
- 8,533
- Location
- Brisbane, Australia
- Ride
- 2020 TFC #385, 2014 R3 Roadster 230hp (BRUTUS)
Limbuck
.020 Over
Rocket for beginner?
As I once heard on a tape "just how big a boy are you?" You better be up to the challenge becuse the Rocket is most dangerous when it ain't moving. You go to scratch something and get it slightly off center then you'll be on another ride on the down side. No, not a good beginner or even intermediate rider bike. It's a manly machine and there ain't nothing else like it but like already said" you best be up to it". I'm glad you're looking at a Triumph though. Look at a smaller model would be my suggestion.
As I once heard on a tape "just how big a boy are you?" You better be up to the challenge becuse the Rocket is most dangerous when it ain't moving. You go to scratch something and get it slightly off center then you'll be on another ride on the down side. No, not a good beginner or even intermediate rider bike. It's a manly machine and there ain't nothing else like it but like already said" you best be up to it". I'm glad you're looking at a Triumph though. Look at a smaller model would be my suggestion.
Aivmid
Supercharged
Hi
We sound similar, I'm 48 and have been back riding for three years. Spent 9 months on a Harley sportster then the rest of the time on a Harley road king 1450. Just picked up my Rocket a week ago and I love it.
I'm old enough to know my
limitations and lack of experience. I hopped on the Rocket and rode it 1500km home over 4 days, with the exception of a stupid ( they all are) kangaroo not a drama! 'Roo showed me the brakes beat the Harley's anyway...
My sportster was too small for me ( I'm 6' 4") but I'm glad I started back on a smaller bike than the rocket and worked my way up to it.
So in short, I reckon don't take on the Rocket for a first bike. Start small, do a rider training course (heaps of fun) and get some miles up first...
We sound similar, I'm 48 and have been back riding for three years. Spent 9 months on a Harley sportster then the rest of the time on a Harley road king 1450. Just picked up my Rocket a week ago and I love it.
I'm old enough to know my
limitations and lack of experience. I hopped on the Rocket and rode it 1500km home over 4 days, with the exception of a stupid ( they all are) kangaroo not a drama! 'Roo showed me the brakes beat the Harley's anyway...
My sportster was too small for me ( I'm 6' 4") but I'm glad I started back on a smaller bike than the rocket and worked my way up to it.
So in short, I reckon don't take on the Rocket for a first bike. Start small, do a rider training course (heaps of fun) and get some miles up first...
Ryeboy
.020 Over
my opinion
I just bought a used 2008 Rocket III Classic out of Dallas, TX on June 13th this year. Although I do currently own a 2007 Bonneville T100 that I purchased new, this Rocket III is more difficult to ride. By that let me explain. Once you get the Rocket out on the interstate or major highway, it's pretty easy, darn near rides itself, one just has to be alert as if riding a Bonneville or smaller bike. However, riding in heavy city traffic or even lighter traffic in the city, a newbie Rocket III rider will have his hands full. By this, I mean the Bonneville I can "manhandle" and manuver where I want it to go. I can't always do this with the much bigger Rocket III. I sort of have to plan my "moves" with it and make sure to not lean alot while I corner it while going slower speeds, such as turning from one street to another. Also, the Bonneville is much easier to dismount and actually push around in my driveway or garage, where the Rocket III is more difficult to "push around" while dismounted. For two up riding, that is carrying a passenger on an interstate, the R3 does this with ease and provides a smoother ride than the Bonneville with so much less effort. The R3 is a real powerhouse and so far on any major highway or interstate, I have never yet met the car or bike that my R3 can't easily handle, however I'm sure they're out there as in some of the very powerful Jap ****** rockets.
If I planned on only riding shorter distances from home, such as a 200 mile radius, I'd never get a Rockett III, I'd only have the Bonneville T100. But with this R3, I plan on taking long trips such as a 1000 miles plus away from home. I hope this helps in your decision. I am 5' 9" tall and if YOU are no taller than this, you will need a considerable amount of practice before you feel totally comfortable - the R3 is defintely a harder bike to manuver at slow speeds while making turns in cities, making U turns, parking in a parking lot, etc. than a lighter bike such as the Bonneville. And when you come to a stop, make sure you don't have any small gravel under your shoes that could casue your foot to slip. The R3 is one heavy ***** and if it starts to fall with you, it is ONE ***** to try and manhandle to keep upright. I have found out all it takes is practice and patience and using your head and being very careful until you get "the feel" for your Rocket III. I have owned mine a month now and am really getting used to it and am loving it. I will say this - for me anyway, If i were to own JUST ONE bike, i'd still probably only own the Bonneville T100, but for owning two bikes, I am very glad I have purchased this Rocket III Classic that i have. Both bikes get lots of attention, no matter where i go. What can I say, I am HOOKED on Triumphs!!! Ride that Rocket and enjoy that smile on your face.
I just bought a used 2008 Rocket III Classic out of Dallas, TX on June 13th this year. Although I do currently own a 2007 Bonneville T100 that I purchased new, this Rocket III is more difficult to ride. By that let me explain. Once you get the Rocket out on the interstate or major highway, it's pretty easy, darn near rides itself, one just has to be alert as if riding a Bonneville or smaller bike. However, riding in heavy city traffic or even lighter traffic in the city, a newbie Rocket III rider will have his hands full. By this, I mean the Bonneville I can "manhandle" and manuver where I want it to go. I can't always do this with the much bigger Rocket III. I sort of have to plan my "moves" with it and make sure to not lean alot while I corner it while going slower speeds, such as turning from one street to another. Also, the Bonneville is much easier to dismount and actually push around in my driveway or garage, where the Rocket III is more difficult to "push around" while dismounted. For two up riding, that is carrying a passenger on an interstate, the R3 does this with ease and provides a smoother ride than the Bonneville with so much less effort. The R3 is a real powerhouse and so far on any major highway or interstate, I have never yet met the car or bike that my R3 can't easily handle, however I'm sure they're out there as in some of the very powerful Jap ****** rockets.
If I planned on only riding shorter distances from home, such as a 200 mile radius, I'd never get a Rockett III, I'd only have the Bonneville T100. But with this R3, I plan on taking long trips such as a 1000 miles plus away from home. I hope this helps in your decision. I am 5' 9" tall and if YOU are no taller than this, you will need a considerable amount of practice before you feel totally comfortable - the R3 is defintely a harder bike to manuver at slow speeds while making turns in cities, making U turns, parking in a parking lot, etc. than a lighter bike such as the Bonneville. And when you come to a stop, make sure you don't have any small gravel under your shoes that could casue your foot to slip. The R3 is one heavy ***** and if it starts to fall with you, it is ONE ***** to try and manhandle to keep upright. I have found out all it takes is practice and patience and using your head and being very careful until you get "the feel" for your Rocket III. I have owned mine a month now and am really getting used to it and am loving it. I will say this - for me anyway, If i were to own JUST ONE bike, i'd still probably only own the Bonneville T100, but for owning two bikes, I am very glad I have purchased this Rocket III Classic that i have. Both bikes get lots of attention, no matter where i go. What can I say, I am HOOKED on Triumphs!!! Ride that Rocket and enjoy that smile on your face.
rayjay
Nitrous
Hi Ryeboy
I think your right..the Rocket is probably at it's most difficult when the engine is off.
Being on the short side myself at 5"8" it could be a problem.
The way to overcome this is to have confidence in yourself and grab the bike by the
scruff off the neck and just do it..don't think about it and it becames second nature.
Of course it helps if you help yourself by picking the right spots to park and turn around
and avoid gradients..but generally it's all about confidence.
Ray
I think your right..the Rocket is probably at it's most difficult when the engine is off.
Being on the short side myself at 5"8" it could be a problem.
The way to overcome this is to have confidence in yourself and grab the bike by the
scruff off the neck and just do it..don't think about it and it becames second nature.
Of course it helps if you help yourself by picking the right spots to park and turn around
and avoid gradients..but generally it's all about confidence.
Ray
rayjay
Nitrous
Mittzy
The Hooligan - Just Doing Stuff
- Joined
- Aug 29, 2011
- Messages
- 8,533
- Location
- Brisbane, Australia
- Ride
- 2020 TFC #385, 2014 R3 Roadster 230hp (BRUTUS)
Have you taken one for a test ride?
If not it is pointless even talking about owning one, you will know when you ride one....
It will either be natural to you or you will be overwhelmed.
I ride my Roadster everywhere 1klm upwards, I am 5'10" and a strong build, I handle this bike with ease and respect, take corners slow at first, know yours and the bikes limitations.
If not it is pointless even talking about owning one, you will know when you ride one....
It will either be natural to you or you will be overwhelmed.
I ride my Roadster everywhere 1klm upwards, I am 5'10" and a strong build, I handle this bike with ease and respect, take corners slow at first, know yours and the bikes limitations.
CanberraR3
Living Legend
- Joined
- May 27, 2010
- Messages
- 11,337
- Location
- Canberra, Australia
- Ride
- Triumphs, but no Rocket just now.
This thread is intriguing. The OP has 2 posts to his name, the second one being on page 3 of this thread, yet we're up to almost 8 pages of responses. Has he ridden one yet? I'd like to know how it felt and whether he though it seemed like a good choice as a first bike. I guessing not.
Evil Mitch
LETS RIDE
Probably got one and it fell on him and pinned him
might find a new rocket with buzzards circling it out on a deserted highway one day
rocket3jjd
Nitrous
Or he bought it and he is having way to much fun riding to post
That or he is at the doctors trying to see if they can do anything about the silly grin he can't get off his face
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