rough ride

[sixpack]

06 Rocket 3, I just had my first long ride 300km. and the bike left me beat to a pulp,,, I never rode such a stiff bike , the bike has 11 1/2" progressive shocks set to the lowest setting, I weigh in at 245, the bike sounds like its falling apart when going over rough roads,, I have the OEM shocks and will try them, I plan on heading to Laconia on thursday, and I am not looking forward to the ride, I run 38 lbs in f/t 42 in rear,, I am fearful to take my wife on the bike because of the ride, and she may condem my bike
Is this a normal thing for the Rocket?? my last ride was a Valkyrie and a Vulcan 2000, they had a better ride IMO.. any suggestions ???

 

[Gkiller]

I, too, just returned from an 800-mile trip...the first long ride I have taken on my 06 Rocket Classic. The bike has the stock stocks and Triumph dual-tour gel seat.

I am 6'6" and weigh in at 290, and with the stock shocks properly adjusted (4 or 5), I found the ride very smooth. I have considered the Progressive 440's, but cannot imagine the ride being substantially better. Have you adjusted your shocks according to your weight and riding style?

While I have found the gel seat comfortable for short jaunts around town, it was wholly ineffective on the longer ride...ass was barking after about an hour on the bike...and every hour thereafter. I made a firm decision that a Russell Long Day-Long seat is in my near future....

 

[atomsplitter]

06 Rocket 3, I just had my first long ride 300km. and the bike left me beat to a pulp,,, I never rode such a stiff bike , the bike has 11 1/2" progressive shocks set to the lowest setting, I weigh in at 245, the bike sounds like its falling apart when going over rough roads,, I have the OEM shocks and will try them, I plan on heading to Laconia on thursday, and I am not looking forward to the ride, I run 38 lbs in f/t 42 in rear,, I am fearful to take my wife on the bike because of the ride, and she may condem my bike
Is this a normal thing for the Rocket?? my last ride was a Valkyrie and a Vulcan 2000, they had a better ride IMO.. any suggestions ???

You have waaaay too little preload if you are on the lowest setting. Your shock is bottomed out just sitting at a stop light!! You need to increase your preload a until your static sag (the amount you compress the spring sitting still) is no more than 15mm. That will maximize the travel the shock has and put it in a load range that won't beat you to a pulp. I had a guy a Vulcan complain about his until we amped up the preload. Now he smiles every time he gets off the bike.

 

[T Evans]

I purchased the up grade shock that Triumph offers for the Standard and the Classic and the ride is not perfect but not bad either. I am 6' 4" and 315 with the shck set on 3. I also ride a Corbin seat with back rest. We just returned from 1030 miles in 4 days and I was no worse for the wear. My boys call my Rocket a easy chair on steroids.

Big T

 

[Trirocket3]

Russel daylong, supa comfi

 

[sixpack]

I swapped out the orginals and set them at four,, it seemed to tame the ride somewhat,, I will reacess after Laconia, thanks or all the responses

 

[Molinoman]

The stock shocks, for a single rider, are usually considered pretty good to adequate if you weigh upwards from 200 lbs (I weigh in ahem, cough, cough at between 235 and 245). When I took my 855 mile trip from Key West, FL to Molino, FL in 2008 (after bike week in Daytona) the bike was fine...the seat left me a little sore but the bike itself was steady as a rock...'course I don't know what kind of roads you were traveling on in Canada.

Dennis

10 dtg KAF
12 dtg Dubai
13 dtg Home for good!

 

[BuffaloR3]

I am fearful to take my wife on the bike because of the ride, and she may condem my bike
Is this a normal thing for the Rocket?? my last ride was a Valkyrie and a Vulcan 2000, they had a better ride IMO.. any suggestions ???

Actually you may find that the ride smooths out with a passenger, mine rides best with a passenger and luggage. The stock shocks seem to be built for 2-up riding.

 

[Binnsy]

I'm 6'0" and weigh in at 143 pounds, it doesn't matter what I set the shocks at I don't feel any difference....

 

[atomsplitter]

I swapped out the orginals and set them at four,, it seemed to tame the ride somewhat,, I will reacess after Laconia, thanks or all the responses

Have a pal measure your static sag while you sit on the bike. Then make your adjustment based on that. Easiest way to do it is use a yard stick at the back fender. With the bike vertical mark the yard stick. Then sit on the bike and again mark the yard stick. If the two marks are more than 15 to 20 mm apart, add more preload (1 click at a time) until you are in the sweet spot. Then test ride over something gnarly and see how it feels.