Test Rode The R3... But....

[OldBiker72]

I took the Rocket 3 GT for a 230 km test ride. I did not like the fwd foot pegs and the higher, more back handle bar. The weight and length of the Rocket was definitely felt especially in the mountains. I mostly ride a KTM Super Duke R Gen. 3 and a Speed Twin 1200.... However I bought the Rocket and ordered the R mid pegs and the R handle bar. I hope this will be more comfortable to suit my length (1.9 m). Included a short video of the test ride home. Regards!

 

[rick danger]

That video hurt my brain.....why didn't you get the R?...did you like the bigger GT seat? or heated grips? I have 2 1290's and had another I sold. Curious how you think the torque and power compare between the lighter KTM with less torque, and the heavier rocket with more

 

[OldBiker72]

That video hurt my brain.....why didn't you get the R?...did you like the bigger GT seat? or heated grips? I have 2 1290's and had another I sold. Curious how you think the torque and power compare between the lighter KTM with less torque, and the heavier rocket with more

I just do not like the fwd controls... I want both feet next to me. This is a used GT with low milage (3000 m) and a QS for a reasonable price ($17k) and yes it has heated grips. I could not find any used R at the local Triumph dealers for about the past year otherwise I'd gone for a R. Very little bikes compare to the KTM SDR. The KTM has a 1:1 power to weight ratio, so compared to the Rocket it is blisteringly fast and agile - so light that I hardly ever feel weight when I do the twisties in the mountains. The Rocket is a bucket list buy...

 

[atomsplitter]

Greetings from sunny North Texas. The Rocket has its pluses (otherwise why buy one?) but a sport bike it's not. If you like a mile munching monster the R3 is quite a nice ride. When I'm wanting light and sporty I ride my Speed Triple RS and that also puts a smile on my mug. It's great in the twisties and technical corners but not as comfortable all day as the R3. I will admit that the seat on my Speedy is actually the most comfortable to sit on of all my bikes, but the cramped leg position is a pain after a couple hours. I moved my GT's pegs all the way back to add some knee bend and now it feels awesome. To be honest if I was going to do all day drones on the super slab I'd ride my Thunderbird Storm, it has the most cush ride (Cadillac comfy) and gets very good fuel economy but is underwhelming for power and torque.

 

[zenbiker]

I took the Rocket 3 GT for a 230 km test ride. I did not like the fwd foot pegs and the higher, more back handle bar. The weight and length of the Rocket was definitely felt especially in the mountains. I mostly ride a KTM Super Duke R Gen. 3 and a Speed Twin 1200.... However I bought the Rocket and ordered the R mid pegs and the R handle bar. I hope this will be more comfortable to suit my length (1.9 m). Included a short video of the test ride home. Regards!

The KTM Supe Duke R is hard to beat! Fast nimble and beautiful but try staying on it for 4 hours!

 

[rick danger]

The KTM Supe Duke R is hard to beat! Fast nimble and beautiful but try staying on it for 4 minutes !

FIFY

 

[Jagster]

Hello from the UK.
I'm about the same height as yourself. I also can't live with a feet forward set-up, so I went for the R version.......However, my bike came with a GT seat and GT handle bars, courtesy of the previous owner, so i've been able to pick and mix the R & GT elements and i've settled with using the GT seat and the GT bars (and of course mid foot controls).
I think the GT seat is more comfortable and the GT bars are also more comfortable, as I don't have to stretch forward quite so much.
It's perhaps not the best set-up for fast highway use, but for twisty hill roads and city riding it works great.
I can ride all day with my current set-up in great comfort, as long as it not all motorways, which is fine by me, and I can really throw the bike around on narrow and challenging mountain roads almost as if i'm riding a trailie-tourer type bike, with great confidence.
Maybe the only adjustment I would ideally like to do, is have a set of handlebars that are halfway between the R and GT. That way I think I would have the most comfortable and dynamic of all. Unfortunately Triumph don't offer such a bar, so i'll stick with what i've got.

 

[OldBiker72]

Hello from the UK.
I'm about the same height as yourself. I also can't live with a feet forward set-up, so I went for the R version.......However, my bike came with a GT seat and GT handle bars, courtesy of the previous owner, so i've been able to pick and mix the R & GT elements and i've settled with using the GT seat and the GT bars (and of course mid foot controls).
I think the GT seat is more comfortable and the GT bars are also more comfortable, as I don't have to stretch forward quite so much.
It's perhaps not the best set-up for fast highway use, but for twisty hill roads and city riding it works great.
I can ride all day with my current set-up in great comfort, as long as it not all motorways, which is fine by me, and I can really throw the bike around on narrow and challenging mountain roads almost as if i'm riding a trailie-tourer type bike, with great confidence.
Maybe the only adjustment I would ideally like to do, is have a set of handlebars that are halfway between the R and GT. That way I think I would have the most comfortable and dynamic of all. Unfortunately Triumph don't offer such a bar, so i'll stick with what i've got.

Exactly my feeling on the pegs and handle bars too! When I test rode the Rocket I had this upright seating position with the wind pushing me backwards as the speed increased... my feet also felt too much wind in the fwd position, so I had to "cling" to the handle bars most of the way. So, yes a handle bar between the GT and R version would have been ideal... Regards!

 

[rick danger]

I've never liked an upright bike with no windshield if theres any highway work to be done. I'm tall with a long torso, so im sure its worst for me.

 

[OldBiker72]

I've never liked an upright bike with no windshield if theres any highway work to be done. I'm tall with a long torso, so im sure its worst for me.

For sure! Hence sitting a bit forward with feet back does help. However these trips for me are mostly not longer than an hour or so. Included my weapon of choice....