rocket or harley road king

[David Burgess]

I would like to sound out some roket three owners;
I have a Harley Road King however it get underused as it turns orange at the thought of Rain, I would like to know what are rokcets like for the british weather and roads for all weather use. I tend to wipe my bikes down after each wet ride with qwd40 etc.
I am considering trading in my harley for a rocket but I have thought about this for the last two years but wonder if its a good decision or not. I had a test ride on one but would prefer a better sound but one hour is not long enough really to form an opinion. I prefer a procket roadster but I have also considered the tourer but I prefer the twin head lights etc.
The bikes use idf for the occassional commuting 10 miles each way normally cycled unlesss i need the bike and its for fun and days across devon.
let me know your thoughts
DartmoorDog

 

[Chris Kelley]

There's one guy on this forum that only lets hard snow stop him from riding his. There's plenty of others that ride 'em in the rain. The stock metzler tires are not the greatest in the wet, but upgrading to an Avon Cobra in the front and Bridgestone Excedra Max in the rear tightens the grip up. As for maintenance, I haven't heard of a lot of guys jumping through hoops to keep their bikes in top shape. Just a good wipe down after a ride in the wet, or a wash if there's salt on the road. I know some of them use lemon pledge to make it easier to clean and keep it shiny.

Roadster vs Touring, it's mostly an aesthetics/comfort thing. The Roadster has more robust gauges on the bars, the twin head lamps, different fuel tank, a larger rear wheel (which can make slower speed maneuvers a bit more trying), 'sportier' peg positioning and no bags. The touring comes with a nice set of hard bags, more relaxed floorboard positioning, a speed gauge on the tank, a more classic lighting scheme up front, and has been de-tuned at an attempt at better mileage. Both are equally capable of the same amount of power, and can make most Harleys feel inadequate (I really tried avoiding the jab, but it just sort of slipped out ).

 

[ScottishR3T]

I've been riding a touring in Scottish weather since 2011. I've got 18000 miles on her. She doesn't get used during the winter. Gest put away October/November and comes back out March/April.

I keep my bike clean and polished but not ridiculously anal about it, prefer riding it to cleaning it!

My bike is still in great shape. The only two areas that are shabby are the pitted chrome mirrors due to being covered in bug insides pretty much every ride during the warmer months and the well documented issues with the aluminium wheels.

The look as if they've done 10 x the miles without having been cleaned. I've sanded them down twice but never back to showroom. They're a pain in the hoop tbh .

They're coming off at the end of the riding season this year and I'll do them properly. If I'm not happy after that they'll be getting sent away to get powder coated.

Actually now I think of it the fork legs aren't great either. Will need to deal with them at the end of the season too!

Not perfect but better than most. If you use a bike in all the weather the UK has to offer it will tarnish unless you clean it every time you use it. It's about striking a balance.

For all I have minor issues with the finish on the mentioned parts I would never hesitate to recommend one. Especially over a Hardley (sorry couldn't resist!)

 

[Chris Kelley]

Oh I forgot to mention that the de-tuned aspect of the touring can be easily rectified with a $20 cable and a laptop. You'll easily be able to find new electronic maps on the web that will open her up and give you as much power as the Roadster.

 

[RKTNMYPKT]

I sold my 06 Road King in 2008 and bought my 1st Rocket (08 touring) and am now on my 2nd Rocket (14 Roadster)

If you are comparing stock bike to stock bike the Rocket beats out the RK in every category,
Except perhaps for looks, that depends on your taste of course.

As far as riding in the rain goes, I rode both bikes year round, there is no advantage to either one

The bike doesn't care if you ride it in the rain, that's strictly a personal choice, if you don't like riding the RK in the rain your probably not going to like riding the Rocket in it either
Clean ups a ***** either way....

 

[STRIPES]

I can still ride in the rain or cold, but I have to draw the line at my age when both conditions exist. I just can't do rain/cold together any more.

 

[steve59]

Hi dave I have a standard it's basically the roadster with better foot placement. I'm 5'7" 160 lbs and the R3t is probably closer to the RK feel as far as handlebars and floorboards, also has cruiser style speedo in the tank, and I think it's the best touring motorcycle available, it comes fitted with fog lights so the single beam isn't an issue imo. it costs more but probably holds it's value better. Triumphs are geared different than harleys that you will be able to redline the tach in every gear with the right tune thats around 140 mph in 5th!!! The R3r is said to be more stable over 100 mph how much time you spend over 100? 2up riding. both bikes are roomy but the R3t gets the nod here also with 1 review the pillion couldn't wait to get off the goldwing and get back on the R3t because it was comfy and much less buffeting. something to that effect. Iv'e seen guys turn the R3r into a touring style bike with aftermarket acc's, but, it's cheaper to get the cable and install the roadster tune.

 

[steve59]

BTW, I nearly boughtr a 103 RK in 2012 but bought a thunderbird Storm instead. It had decent power compared to my harleys but nothing close to my Rocket. Also Aftermarket pipes bring the spirit out, it's way different than your used to but the first time you decel if the crackle and pop don't make you grin like an idiot your a rare breed.

 

[Wrecka]

I ride mine in all weather , when it gets grubby enough i cant stand the look of it i give it a bath , takes a couple hours to do it right and i find that using compressed air to get all the water off works best , my bike is coming up to 12 months old and it already has dents and scratchs but hey im the Wrecka gotta have a Rat bike.......

 

[charlie farley]

I ride all year hose it once a week when there is salt on the roads , I've done 2 winters and it looks the same as when I got it only had 800 dry miles in 3 years but I brought it to ride.