Rocket = Albatross

[McLefty617]

Confession, I'm thinking about selling my 2009 touring model, it's in the classifieds.

Problem, no buyers.

Trade value with 3,800 is $9K according to two dealers. While negotiating a deal on a 2010 Tiger1050, the Triumph dealer I bought it from told me we wouldn't even be talking if I hadn't bought the bike there.

According to him, only Rocket owners buy Rockets, no more than 1 or 2 a year in new sales to non-owners.

"50% of the potential buyers are intimidated by the engine and size without even riding it.

Do we own albatrosses?

My bike is WAY too much great bike to let go for $9k...

 

[GPMAZ]

If you really want the Tiger, I'd take the $9K. I had a local Triumph dealer offer me $4.5K for my 2008 R3T. He had a new one on the floor that he'd had for a year and couldn't sell and didn't want another one.

Despite the enthusiasm on model specific message boards such as this one, the Rocket is a niche bike and as such will only appeal to a small group of riders. If you choose to sell it yourself you'll probably need to be very patient.

 

[CanberraR3]

Hey, isn't that part of the appeal?
I love the way people are intimidated by it and I'd hate to think that any 'would be' could own one. I don't care if nobody wants to buy mine - IT'S NOT FOR SALE. Perhaps that's your solution.........

 

[mexican]

Thats the reason i bought mine, not everybody has one,, or wants one

 

[Gkiller]

Last summer I though about (briefly...) trading in my 06 R3 Classic for a Yamaha Venture, only because I was interested in a touring bike (briefly...).

Dealer offered me $7500 trade value on my bike, and was right at Black Book on the Venture. so there was little "wiggle room" or profit built in to the Yamaha to disguise any fluff on my TV. I changed my mind, but am surprised that a newer model R3 Touring bike would be worth so little on TV.

 

[GPMAZ]

I think a lot of it has to do with timing and the dealer. Last week at a larger dealer I was looking at new Ducatis while getting a new set of tires mounted. Salesman told me they basically give low book value (NADA) for trades.

If I was serious about selling, I'd probably advertise on the boards and Craigslist and be prepared to wait a while. For someone who has the itch for a new bike, sometimes taking a lesser amount on a trade is the only way to scratch it.

 

[scot in exile]

The rocket be it std,classic,r3t roadster what ever you want to call it is by far the most ugly bike ever to be on the road. I was riding down the road the other day and Stevie Wonder shouted out to me man that is one ugly bike.
The yanks hate it because it is not a v-twin people hate it because of the instrument cluster or the double beams, I like it because it is so friggin ugly it makes me look good.

 

[Molinoman]

lAnd that says alot Dave.

Dennis

 

[Gkiller]

The rocket be it std,classic,r3t roadster what ever you want to call it is by far the most ugly bike ever to be on the road. I was riding down the road the other day and Stevie Wonder shouted out to me man that is one ugly bike.
The yanks hate it because it is not a v-twin people hate it because of the instrument cluster or the double beams, I like it because it is so friggin ugly it makes me look good.

I've never understood the "ugly" thing...? I think the lines and design of the R3 are quite nice and refreshingly different than the multitudes of Harley look-alikes littering the roadways nowadays. I mean....every **** Harley looks the same until you put thousands into a bike to customize it to stand out among the rest. That is not good mechanical or aesthetic design, but rather good marketing design (to be able to make more on accessories than vehicles).
But...the R3 is definately a love-it or hate-it design. The ONLY thing I do not like about the Classic is the right side of the tank...oddly barren and ill-shaped. Other than that, I really do think it is a very well designed motorcycle.

I can honestly say that I have NEVER had anyone tell me personally they think the bike is "ugly"...in fact, the feedback and compliments I get from other riders (including Harley guys) and from non-riders has been overwhelmingly positive.
To each his own I guess.

 

[CanberraR3]

Perhaps Dave really means that he's so good looking he makes even a Rocket look ugly, rather than the other way round. Have you seen his mini kilt?????????