Okay at the risk of being blasted here are the results of the past two weekends efforts.
Last weekend 2006 Classic: Forego the fact that the cosmetics were poor (not “excellent” as advertised) – the bike did not perform at all - no acceleration – all gears. Drive time – 5 hours round trip.
Today 2009 Touring: Again, the bike did not perform - no acceleration, just flat out lacking “get up and go”. I understand on the touring the first thee gears are limited by ECU program, but fourth gear was the same – no pickup. This time my woman was with me and her response when we finished the ride – “what is wrong with it, I thought these were supposed to be fast”. She drives a Victory Octane and rides with me on the fatboy. I am only sharing her comment, so it is understood it was not just my perspective. Drive time 7.5 hours round trip.
I cannot compare a rocket to my hooligan bikes and sport bikes, but I fully expect a rocket would accelerate/pull better than my 2016 fatboy putting 110HP & 114 ft*lbf to the rear wheel (per dyno). Fatboy weight is 730 pounds, so it falls between the classic and touring. My Harley accelerates a lot faster and stronger than either of the rockets I test road.
The only dealership that has a rocket on the showroom floor is in Tampa (3 hours each way), so I can only get their next weekend to test drive the one bike they have. I would not buy new, but at least I would know I am test riding a properly functioning factory bike.
My latest questions – are the two rockets I rode duds with mechanical/programming issues or is this what I should expect from the rocket until modified? Or, am I setting my expectations too high comparing it to the fatboy (I thought rocket would walk away from the fatboy all daylong)?
The next two rockets I have to look at are along the same drive route, but it is a 12 to 13 hour round trip. These models 2016 Roadster & 2015 Touring.
Your time I appreciated!