Should I Stay or Should I Go Now?

[Jay]

Money always sits on the mind. If the pocket book is thin then buying the $30k bike will make it a $30k+ trip and you will think about it the whole time, which causes it to loose a little luster. I bought too many things that were on the boarder of my budget and became a distraction from the intended purpose. Though, I admit sometimes I buy something only to try it out knowing I will sell later and hope to not loose too much in the process.

Anyway, be sure to take the trip and if money isn’t an issue, then remember you aren’t getting any younger and decide which one will bring you more comfortable as you circumnavigate the continent. The memories will be priceless...the bike is only part of the story.

 

[FE_rex]

Buy the RM and keep the roadster. Have a tourer and a hooligan

 

[Bigjaype]

Keep your Rocket...buy a proper second hand touring bike (BMW, Honda etc) do your lap then either keep it or sell it.

You can pick up a decent touring bike for around 10K. Your body will thank you for it!

 

[RobWhi]

If I had to buy one bike to tour in it would be the RM. I have one and it is a great machine. It looks like you are trying to make the Rocket into something that it is not. The money you spend will never be seen on a trade or sell. Be sure you are committed to that bike before you do that much work for it.

PS the RM has sat nav and a stereo.

If I had to buy one bike to tour in it would be the RM. I have one and it is a great machine. It looks like you are trying to make the Rocket into something that it is not. The money you spend will never be seen on a trade or sell. Be sure you are committed to that bike before you do that much work for it.

PS the RM has sat nav and a stereo.

If I had to buy one bike to tour in it would be the RM. I have one and it is a great machine. It looks like you are trying to make the Rocket into something that it is not. The money you spend will never be seen on a trade or sell. Be sure you are committed to that bike before you do that much work for it.

PS the RM has sat nav and a stereo.

That is in my decision making also if I brought a new RM they are 42k plus here and I would prob loose
10 k straight up after I rode it off the showroom floor.

I have to say they are a great bike to ride and Polaris has done a great job
On bringing back the Indian brand.

I thought he’ll the hell would a set of speakers on a bike would sound at 100kph plus in the wind but
I have to say The Boss and I was impressed. I had thought of putting CarPlay on the Rocket

A couple of things I did not Like on the Indian
Power difference of course
The heat from the engine and exhaust was a bit higher that the R3
The front End felt a bit Loose. Also a gripe on my Rocket.

Thanks

 

[chrisw]

Honda St1300 are cheap second hand and handle very well

 

[Joesmoe]

ST1300 requires long legs. I had one for ten years -- traded it for the Rocket I now have.

I could not flat foot the ST, and after dropping it the third time -- that was it.

 

[RobWhi]

ST1300 requires long legs. I had one for ten years -- traded it for the Rocket I now have.

I could not flat foot the ST, and after dropping it the third time -- that was it.

And it’s got a fairing yuck

 

[laraza]

One of these would probably cost close to what you'd need to spend to do the mods you mention (and they're an awesome touring bike), keep both!

https://www.bikesales.com.au/bikes/used/bmw/k-1600-gtl/

 

[Pete]

My 2c worth
You need to seriously think about the condition of the roads you would encounter on a trip around Aus. It’s nothing like the Great Ocean Road for 90% of the trip even if you stick to the main highway. The Rocket only has 100mm travel on the rear shocks and doesn’t cope with outback roads Especially two up with a bit of gear.
An adventure bike like a BMW 1200 GS is relatively cheap and comfortable with good storage. also has long travel suspension for sh!t roads and good fuel economy for long distances in the middle of no where. Leave the Rocket in the shed and enjoy it when you get back.

 

[RobWhi]

My 2c worth
You need to seriously think about the condition of the roads you would encounter on a trip around Aus. It’s nothing like the Great Ocean Road for 90% of the trip even if you stick to the main highway. The Rocket only has 100mm travel on the rear shocks and doesn’t cope with outback roads Especially two up with a bit of gear.
An adventure bike like a BMW 1200 GS is relatively cheap and comfortable with good storage. also has long travel suspension for sh!t roads and good fuel economy for long distances in the middle of no where. Leave the Rocket in the shed and enjoy it when you get back.

Thanks Pete
That gives me something to chew on