Seriously considering a 2015 R3 Roadster

I had a K1200R in 06. Fantastic handling and super fast.
The shifter drum went bad on me, twice and I replaced it with an 08 Rocket.

The handling of the Rock is primitive by comparison, but very good overall, except at low speed (very heavy)
The Rocket transmission, in my humble opinion, really sucks. Clunky and vague.
I had the update kit installed under warranty in 09. (It would pop out of 2nd under full throttle)

For me, the power and torque trump all of that.

Welcome FR56. I like your bike, I have always wanted a BMW. I agree with BOOG I too love so many bikes. I just recently sold a 2000 Valkyrie Interstate. I really liked that bike but it was time to sell it while the mileage was reasonable. You have jumped on the right forum, these guys are all very knowledgeable and experienced about anything Rocket. I purchased my 2011 R3R in March with 2200 miles and I have almost 8K on it. The tire will need to be replaced in the next 2K is my guess. But I will say that this bike has been and is the most fun ride I have had since my Gpz750 turbo back in the 84. I cannot express enough the absolute joy, fun, excitement, mischievous and outright hooliganism this bike will conjure up in me. Buy one! You wont regret it.

Welcome to the forum. The answer is to go for a test ride. Very few (if any?) aren't smitten. It's so smooth, effortless and easy to ride and then there's the enormous torque to experience. Handles very well. The weight is all low down and other than slow speed maneuvering not noticeable.

Rick Morris said:

Welcome FR56. I like your bike, I have always wanted a BMW. I agree with BOOG I too love so many bikes. I just recently sold a 2000 Valkyrie Interstate. I really liked that bike but it was time to sell it while the mileage was reasonable. You have jumped on the right forum, these guys are all very knowledgeable and experienced about anything Rocket. I purchased my 2011 R3R in March with 2200 miles and I have almost 8K on it. The tire will need to be replaced in the next 2K is my guess. But I will say that this bike has been and is the most fun ride I have had since my Gpz750 turbo back in the 84. I cannot express enough the absolute joy, fun, excitement, mischievous and outright hooliganism this bike will conjure up in me. Buy one! You wont regret it.

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@Rick Morris if that is a meztler you have on her she is all but done. Your at the point where the cords in the center will show up fast keep a eye on it as I suspect your 2k estimate is wrong.

Go with the Exedra Max 240/55/16 next (if your changing the front go with the Avon Cobra as they mix well together) you'll be amazed at the longevity difference. My last tire lasted 3400 miles while the bridgy I have on her is at 7000 and going strong. Of course this bike only has 243 horse which might be helping the mileage on the tire

G'day from Missouri, whatever that means.

I've only put about 2,000 miles on my new 2012 R3r and I enjoy it.

Having owned 79 bikes, of which were 5 BMW's, Many touring bikes, ****** rockets, adventure bikes, dualsports, desert and track bikes, I find myself now with the new Triumph and a 2012 Suzuki Burgman 650 Executive, both of which are really fun to ride, quickly or sedately.

When ridden in the "smell the roses" mode, through the beautiful country roads of the Ozarks, I get 45 mpg, because the big baby is just barely into it's 165 ft lbs torque curve, that swells at surprisingly low rpm's. Herein lies the problem with LOTS of torque, horsepower and it's effect on tires: They just don't last as long!

Other big bikes don't do very well with tires, like my Past Honda VTX 1800 or my past Suzuki 1800cc cruiser that also had a huge 240 series tire on the rear. The torque on take off on these bikes, even if done with little throttle still has a tendency to "shred" rubber.

My past 1500 and 1800 Goldwings, BMW K1200LTC and my Electra Glide would normally go about 14 thousand on Premium OEM Dunlop touring tires.

You will probably enjoy the rush of your first flirtation with the throttle and high gear passing, from ANY speed will almost assuredly beat most anything you or I have ever ridden.

Both your BMW and the Triumph brand has few dealers in certain parts of the U.S. as you probably know so choose accordingly.

Sam

warp9.9 said:

@Rick Morris if that is a meztler you have on her she is all but done. Your at the point where the cords in the center will show up fast keep a eye on it as I suspect your 2k estimate is wrong.

Go with the Exedra Max 240/55/16 next (if your changing the front go with the Avon Cobra as they mix well together) you'll be amazed at the longevity difference. My last tire lasted 3400 miles while the bridgy I have on her is at 7000 and going strong. Of course this bike only has 243 horse which might be helping the mileage on the tire

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Thanks for the advice Warp. I have been keeping and I on the tire. I maybe extended my guesstimate on mileage but please know I dont ride on junk tires. I have already ordered a Cobra so I will run the Bridgestone after the Avon needs to be retired. So 243 HP. I would love to see your bike sometime. These things are already monsters. I would think 243 HP would keep my son on his ZX10 at bay.

barbagris said:

R3's CHEW TYRES.

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Leave it to me to 'fall' for another rapacious rubber eater.
I've never been one to "jack-rabbit" every traffic light or make a public 'smoke show' of my tire budget; but my long predilection for corner carving works as quickly on side treads as 'line-locks' do on center treads. I was kinda hoping the less athletic 'curiser' influences could dissuade and possibly save me $$$

Phalanx said:

My last bike was a '94 K1100LT that I enjoyed while it wasn't busy being a lemon (rear seal leaked 3 times in 2 years,

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I had a 94 K100RT I put 230,000 miles on before being forcibly separated on the 101 Frwy in Ventura
I've had six BMWs over the years. Three of them had a 'clutch issue' along the way.

Mittzy said:

first thing I would do is the Eastern Beaver head light relay upgrade or one of our members here @DEcosse makes a great unit that will do a perfect job

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Uh-oh Ya' mean we're still dealing with Lucas electrics and Zener diodes in the new generation Trumpets?

idk said:

I usually change my rear tyres out early at about 20,000 miles, and they still have meat left on them.

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Exceptional Mileage! What brand of tire?

Porky said:

Other big bikes don't do very well with tires, like my Past Honda VTX 1800 or my past Suzuki 1800cc cruiser that also had a huge 240 series tire on the rear. The torque on take off on these bikes, even if done with little throttle still has a tendency to "shred" rubber.

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A lot of K1600 BMW owners soon discovered the (Mass) x (velocity) x (torque) on tires & brakes formula. You can make 800lbs go fast as well a handle; but physics is physics.

Welcome from sunny Southern California! I bought my '14 R3R new in February, and at 5,500 miles now I'm about a hair's breadth from the rear wear bars. Dealer quoted $150 (on top of the tire price) to change the rear tire if they did all the labor of removing from / installing on the bike too.

idk said:

I usually change my rear tyres out early at about 20,000 miles, and they still have meat left on them.

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Ah yes Ian, but you may well be Darth Vader.
Even so , beats me how you get 32,000K's out of one. I'm in need of a new one at 20,000kms.
@FR56 - we use non M/C tyres