Some Observations

[rayjay]

Had the Roadster a few weeks now..got her booked in for first service next week.
The weather here as been awful nothing but rain and floods in some places.
How does the Roadster compare to my 09 Standard.
Well being a short ars*d red faced little turd I love the riding position it really suits me I used to have
my left foot blown off the foot peg at speed on the Standard so I would tuck my foot under the peg
and grip with the upper part of my boot..this was of course on a private road
It's just so much better
The gear change is smoother and a bit quieter also.
I preferred the clocks on the Standard these seem a bit busy like there's to much crammed in
And of course I was a big fan of the 3 tail pipe layout it gave the bike a unique look
I'm going to stick to my original statement and say that I don't think the power increase is evident
But overall I'm very happy with it and pleased to have a Rocket again
Almost forgot.. the ignition key on my Standard was always quite warm after a couple of hours
this one isn't so bad..did triumph do an upgrade ?
Ride safe guys

RJ

 

[Wetrudgeon]

rayjay:
Your observations are consistent with our own. The riding position on our '11 Roadster is better suited to a short little squirt like us than was the riding position on our '08. The Roadster is taller, however. That is to say the Roadster saddle is higher and harder for us to "flat foot" at stops than the '08. We have considered shorter shocks (which would also bring the rear fender down on the tire some and improve the looks of the bike), but have not gotten around to that yet.

We prefer the dials on the Roadster to the '08, as we like the extra information.

We don't much like the big ole pipes on the Roadster, but they sound a good deal better than the three pipe set up of the '08 (which for us was no great bargain in the looks department either).

We think the bright finish on the '08 forks looked better than the black forks of the Roadster. Our '08 had the phantom black finish which looked shiny and good. We don't much care for the flat black of the Roadster. Have not gotten around to changing the paint either.

Can't tell much (if any) difference in shifting or power between the two. Both factory stock. Never felt much desire to mod to enhance power/performance on either. For us, there is plenty of power (and to spare) as they come from the factory.

We trudge on.

 

[STRIPES]

I was disappointed with the power of the Roadster as compared to my standard, but I didn't have a fair comparison being the standard had had some previous power additions. Now, since addition of the GIPro, an altered Jardine (changed it to a three into one), K&N's and a Dobeck to the Roadster, the monster has come alive. It is at least as fast as the Standard was before the super charger. BTW-still the Standard is still hung up in the shop. Waiting on getting the Tune key. Otherwise it will be on the road immediately.

 

[1olbull]

Wetrudgeon,
FYI - I have a set of Progressive 412-4230C in chrome that were on my motor for about 200 miles.
They are 11.5" chrome & Black. I think they were like $250 new. Sell for 1/2 price plus shipping.

 

[Wetrudgeon]

bull:
Thanks for the offer and sounds like a great deal. Not sure we are ready just yet.

We do believe that lowering the Beast a bit in the back would make her more manageable, at least pushing her around in the garage or in parking lots.

We trudge on.

 

[R-III-R Turbo]

did you have the ignition bypass for the headlights done on your old bike?

 

[Boog]

Thanks for the review, I personnally value the observations of actual riders to those of the advertisements...

 

[ROCKETHEAD]

Having owned one of the first R3 standards for sale in USA and the first R3T in IL. I have my share of growing pains with the Rocket. Then I went through the evolution of a super charged R3... The R3R is a lot more refined, better gear selection, better brakes, shocks that suites my riding style and improved riding position than the previous ones I owed. I took Triumph some time to get there but there is no other package out there today that offers what I was looking for...

The changes I am making to mine is to suite my individualality and not to improve on an already fine bike. This will be number 26 in a long line of fine and unique motorcycles I have had the privilege to call my own and this is my 5th Triumph...

 

[rayjay]

did you have the ignition bypass for the headlights done on your old bike?

No

RJ

 

[R-III-R Turbo]

No

RJ

then i would speculate that that is the reason why your key was quite warm after use on old bike and not new roadster - all the current for the headlights going through the ignition switch. this is what causes ignition switch failures until you do the relay mod (on 04-09/10 bikes) so headlight current bypasses ignition, which was done as a recall on 2010 roadsters and was standard from 2011 iirc