Seeking opinions on touring "upgrades"

[Elvis]

That would be awesome, but I'm a little worried that they think the Thunderbird is what they'll go with. The latest bike show I went to locally only had one R3 and it was number 007 of the Rocket X. There was no normal one and no Touring. Both Thunderbirds were on display though... Let's face it, the thing that makes our bikes awesome, the engine, is a real problem to shoe-horn into any design and it looks pretty unique. It's hard to argue against that the Thunderbird motor looks better and is far easier and more traditional to design around.

But time will tell.

Yeah Chris discussed that but the Tbird does not have great torque for two up touring, it would just be another Harley or Indian. I hope Triumph decides to lead instead going the me too route.

 

[cusso ken]

That would be awesome, but I'm a little worried that they think the Thunderbird is what they'll go with. The latest bike show I went to locally only had one R3 and it was number 007 of the Rocket X. There was no normal one and no Touring. Both Thunderbirds were on display though... Let's face it, the thing that makes our bikes awesome, the engine, is a real problem to shoe-horn into any design and it looks pretty unique. It's hard to argue against that the Thunderbird motor looks better and is far easier and more traditional to design around.

But time will tell.

INHO the Thunderbird motor looks like a bloated big parallel twin which is exactly what it is ,the R3 motor is unique and in the Touring version blends in with the lines of the bike ,Honestly if Mr Triumph and his boffins decide to discontinue the R3T then when I feel like a new bike and that has been the case every few years then it's offsky for this old Dude unless I can find a New Old Stock Touring somewhere ,

 

[Sensfan]

I am happy with mine, I have added the trunk, will ne adding cruise, and a batwing for optional removal. ******Make sure you have the ABS, some of the U.S. bikes had it advertised, but didn't have it, so we have been told***

 

[ksquared]

One additional thing. Your R3T will come standard with Metzeler 880 tires. As soon as those are shot (or sooner, as far as I'm concerned), I'd install a set of Avon Cobras, which I believe are the single best upgrade you can make to the R3T.

I am a complete convert to the Avon Cobras on my Touring. I will never forget the first time I switched over from the Metz 880's to the Cobras. I felt like Valentino Rossi! Immediately I picked up several degrees of highly stable and controllable lean angle. The ride was seriously improved; it felt like the tires had become an active partner of the suspension; harshness decreased and stability increased - and markedly so.

As for some reports of "skittishness" in the rain; I haven't noticed this. Down here in Fla. we've been known to have some pretty significant rain pop up and my Cobras have handled this rain with aplomb. Of course, I recognize the power differential between my Touring and a standard R3, so this might not translate over very well.

I got 9K on my current set and they're weren't showing much, if any, wear. They would have been good for qt least 12K, if I hadn't picked up a nail in the sidewall of the rear tire. Since I ALWAYS replace tires in pairs, I immediately replaced them with another set of Cobras.

I run 40/40 cold.

All things considered - I think the Cobras are the absolute BEST tires you can run on the Touring and the single best upgrade you can make to the bike.

 

[Tracker557]

One additional thing. Your R3T will come standard with Metzeler 880 tires. As soon as those are shot (or sooner, as far as I'm concerned), I'd install a set of Avon Cobras, which I believe are the single best upgrade you can make to the R3T.

I am a complete convert to the Avon Cobras on my Touring. I will never forget the first time I switched over from the Metz 880's to the Cobras. I felt like Valentino Rossi! Immediately I picked up several degrees of highly stable and controllable lean angle. The ride was seriously improved; it felt like the tires had become an active partner of the suspension; harshness decreased and stability increased - and markedly so.

As for some reports of "skittishness" in the rain; I haven't noticed this. Down here in Fla. we've been known to have some pretty significant rain pop up and my Cobras have handled this rain with aplomb. Of course, I recognize the power differential between my Touring and a standard R3, so this might not translate over very well.

I got 9K on my current set and they're weren't showing much, if any, wear. They would have been good for qt least 12K, if I hadn't picked up a nail in the sidewall of the rear tire. Since I ALWAYS replace tires in pairs, I immediately replaced them with another set of Cobras.

I run 40/40 cold.

All things considered - I think the Cobras are the absolute BEST tires you can run on the Touring and the single best upgrade you can make to the bike.

I've been running Avons for years on my VTX. One of the best handling tires on the market as far as I'm concerned.

 

[Tripps]

I agree on the Cobras, a little quicker on the turn in, but my complaint with the Metz wasn't handling, it was the exceptionally short life.

 

[Blackthou]

I agree on the Cobras, a little quicker on the turn in, but my complaint with the Metz wasn't handling, it was the exceptionally short life.

Having had Sports bikes previously, I was lucky to get 2000 miles from a rear @£200 ea so Rocket tyres are amazing to me. I thought with all that torque I would also be changing every 2k miles not 8-10k.

 

[Tripps]

I get 8-10K out of the Cobras, half that with the Metz.

 

[slidderhd]

This is why you choose the R3T over a Victory. I'm 6'3" and 290lbs. With me, the wife, and a camper loaded down, nothing else will do. I love blowing by Harleys on the highway at 85mph with this setup. R3Ts are strong.

 

[cusso ken]

This is why you choose the R3T over a Victory. I'm 6'3" and 290lbs. With me, the wife, and a camper loaded down, nothing else will do. I love blowing by Harleys on the highway at 85mph with this setup. R3Ts are strong.

I rest my case ,Touring's are the best for the long haul.