Chris Kelley
Turbocharged
I managed to talk my lady into finally getting her license a few weeks ago. So now she's commuting in the Rouge, and I'm rolling to work on the Rocket on a daily basis and I've learned a few things on the way.
1) I need a Stebel or similiar...I've always made a joke that I don't have to worry about other drivers not seeing me as much as other bikes do, because the Rocket has "presence". It may actually be true but after three people, over the course of a single 45 minute commute, decided to merge into the space I was occupying I feel there's value in giving the Rocket the means to make it's "presence" better known.
2) I've always hated too much humidity, but the Rocket seem to hate it more. I'd take 100F over 90F and 25% Humidity. The heat this engine puts out is massive and moisture in the air makes more of that heat reach me. I find myself taking a longer route just to keep rolling and keep the air moving.
3) I really need to figure out how to remove this box of rocks that someone decided to install on my bike around 3k. The engine vibrations aren't a new topic on this forum (all gears, slight pressure on the clutch makes it go away), but I was able to live with it while I was light traffic. Now I prefer to keep my RPMs up in heavier traffic and the vibrations are very distracting. I'm one of those guys who always throws a 6th gear on the Rocket wish lists, now I'm starting to think if I could just get the vibrations under control I would be fine as is.
4) Bike keeps getting lighter and more sure footed. It follows, naturally, that the more practice I get the more comfortable I feel on the bike. I was at best the odd weekend warrior in terms of riding. I bought the bike in 2014 with about 6k miles on her. I just got to 10k. I'm still amazed at how capable the bike is. As my own skill increases the bike's capabilities are more than a match for me.
1) I need a Stebel or similiar...I've always made a joke that I don't have to worry about other drivers not seeing me as much as other bikes do, because the Rocket has "presence". It may actually be true but after three people, over the course of a single 45 minute commute, decided to merge into the space I was occupying I feel there's value in giving the Rocket the means to make it's "presence" better known.
2) I've always hated too much humidity, but the Rocket seem to hate it more. I'd take 100F over 90F and 25% Humidity. The heat this engine puts out is massive and moisture in the air makes more of that heat reach me. I find myself taking a longer route just to keep rolling and keep the air moving.
3) I really need to figure out how to remove this box of rocks that someone decided to install on my bike around 3k. The engine vibrations aren't a new topic on this forum (all gears, slight pressure on the clutch makes it go away), but I was able to live with it while I was light traffic. Now I prefer to keep my RPMs up in heavier traffic and the vibrations are very distracting. I'm one of those guys who always throws a 6th gear on the Rocket wish lists, now I'm starting to think if I could just get the vibrations under control I would be fine as is.
4) Bike keeps getting lighter and more sure footed. It follows, naturally, that the more practice I get the more comfortable I feel on the bike. I was at best the odd weekend warrior in terms of riding. I bought the bike in 2014 with about 6k miles on her. I just got to 10k. I'm still amazed at how capable the bike is. As my own skill increases the bike's capabilities are more than a match for me.
