Should I Stay or Should I Go Now?

[Ishrub]

Yeah you need a real offroad tourer like my 1985 K100RT when they first came out.

It did the Gibb River Road through Tunnel Creek to Wyndham from Derby on way back from Broome to Darwin with a mate on his new R80G who had a horror ride on his semi offroad tyres. The K100RT had stock road Continentals or Metzlers from memory and floated over the corrugations at 140kmh plus while the poor old R80G could only manage 130 flat out and couldn't float over the corrugations. The Year after went from Darwin to Wyndham and Kununurra again with a mate on his '75 Ducati GT860 with a SS type fairing and paint like the 900 SS below. We then went on to Alice Springs, Ayers Rock and dirt to the Olgas still then. His Ducati did not attempt the Olgas but clocked a 100,000 on the tripmeter just before we got back to Darwin.

I knew a few who did the Tanami Rd from Alice Springs to Halls Ck etc about 500 km rough seal single unmarked lane and another 1000km of dirt on road bikes like '79 Suzuki G1000 towing a trailer 2 up.
I did that road many times in 4x4 but 500km of dirt at a time was was enough for me on a bike!

 

[Pete]

Yeah you need a real offroad tourer like my 1985 K100RT when they first came out.

It did the Gibb River Road through Tunnel Creek to Wyndham from Derby on way back from Broome to Darwin with a mate on his new R80G who had a horror ride on his semi offroad tyres. The K100RT had stock road Continentals or Metzlers from memory and floated over the corrugations at 140kmh plus while the poor old R80G could only manage 130 flat out and couldn't float over the corrugations. The Year after went from Darwin to Wyndham and Kununurra again with a mate on his '75 Ducati GT860 with a SS type fairing and paint like the 900 SS below. We then went on to Alice Springs, Ayers Rock and dirt to the Olgas still then. His Ducati did not attempt the Olgas but clocked a 100,000 on the tripmeter just before we got back to Darwin.

I knew a few who did the Tanami Rd from Alice Springs to Halls Ck etc about 500 km rough seal single unmarked lane and another 1000km of dirt on road bikes like '79 Suzuki G1000 towing a trailer 2 up.
I did that road many times in 4x4 but 500km of dirt at a time was was enough for me on a bike!

I wager your body could stand up to that ride in 1985. Would you do it today on a Rocket ?

 

[Bigjaype]

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.

Pretty much what I suggested a few posts ago.
I own a 2 GS's and love both of them even though they are 20 years apart in age. The newer one munches the miles and has all the wizardry required to handle the roads around Oz and can be packed like a mule, if required. But, it's a tall bike and can be daunting to hold steady if you're vertically challenged, so I'm told.
I paid under $10K for my 2013 GS1200.
Honda, Yamaha and Suzuki make similar types of bikes which can be had for less.
A mate of mine left with his missus and a Honda 1000 transalp, which he paid $4500...and he's on his second trip now on the same bike.

 

[Tal]

The more i read these opinions the more sense it makes. Listen to the guys who have actually done these trips or had similar experiences...
Horses for courses springs to mind. If you intend doing alot of offroad to soothe the enquiring mind then you need a machine that is best suited to those conditions.
That is a difficult choice too...but it comes down to a number of things like preferred make...dollars you are comfortable spending...how much gear you need/intend on carrying.
Of course you can get the tyres that will suit road/off road too. All these things will be a factor!..an interesting challenge.

 

[1olbull]

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!

I rode my 2012 R3R 11,500 miles (18,507 km) in a figure 8 across and back from Pacific to Atlantic oceans in 38 days. I was 70 and found the Rocket absolutely comfortable.

PS: I did modify the suspension with Progressive 444 rear and springs front.

 

[Bigjaype]

I rode my 2012 R3R 11,500 miles (18,507 km) in a figure 8 across and back from Pacific to Atlantic oceans in 38 days. I was 70 and found the Rocket absolutely comfortable.

PS: I did modify the suspension with Progressive 444 rear and springs front.

solo?

 

[1olbull]

solo?

Yes, but I was 275 with 125 pounds of gear in panniers and atop the rear of the seat.

 

[tribal]

I'm happy that the trip worked out.

Buying a second hand bike more suitable to the road conditions and optionally selling it later seems sensible.

If you're sticking with the R3R here are some other things to consider for touring:

1. Do you really need the extra power?
I did my intake/exhaust mods just before taking a 25 day 9,800 mile trip.
Pipes, filters, Power Commander and custom tune were around US$2,300.
The drop in MPG cost me over US$150 in gas. I love the increased performance but it could have waited.

2. Your 2012 is 8 years old so unless you've been doing all the maintenance it may be time to go through the checklist and do all the checks and all renewal items (plugs, radiator flush, brake fluid renewal, diff etc.).

3. I love my throttle rockers (wrist rests to take some strain off forearms). I don't ride without them.

4. I like my Throttlemeister manual throttle lock on my old bike but the Go-Cruise 2 poor-man's-cruise-control works fine and was cheaper.

5. Kuryakyn or other ergonomic grips are a must.

6. Look at seat upgrade and/or cushion. I use an AirHawk air mattress on long trips - Available for pillion too.

7. Improve the horn. I use Denali Soundbombs on mine but there are other options to replace/augment the sissy one.

8. Improve rear visibility. I almost got squished by a truck last October so will be working on mine. LEDs...

9. Suspension is key as per recommendations on your other thread.

10. Windshield - it looks like you have the small one like mine. I'm getting too old to take the beatings!!

11. Did your Roadster come with the luggage rack?
If not you can get one if you want to do a similar mod to avoid buying or making brackets for a top box.

On my R3R I removed the OEM backrest and bolted a Givi e251 mounting plate to the rack and use a Givi E460 Top Case with a back rest and small rack. It locks into the mounting plate and can be taken off easily.

 

[Bigjaype]

Yes, but I was 275 with 125 pounds of gear in panniers and atop the rear of the seat.

I did quite a few long trips on my rocket, nothing like yours, and I loved it. My wife, however, felt them for days after. With panniers under her legs. she didn't have as much freedom of movement for her legs, so we ended up stopping more frequently as the days progressed. Not a bad thing, more time for smelling the roses.

 

[1olbull]

I did quite a few long trips on my rocket, nothing like yours, and I loved it. My wife, however, felt them for days after. With panniers under her legs. she didn't have as much freedom of movement for her legs, so we ended up stopping more frequently as the days progressed. Not a bad thing, more time for smelling the roses.

Believe me, I am not saying a Rocket Roadster is the best for two-up touring. My motors are, "hooray for me and screw you" solo toys. Riding double severely inhibits rider comfort and most importantly, the ability to Hoon! Consistant with these days of women's lib, I would prefer my woman and other women (and I ride with many) to be on their own motor. There are motors designed for pure touring. At this point in my life, I don't need one . . . Yet.