Thinking about a R3

[groo]

Been off of bikes for awhile and getting the itch again.
The R3 looks good on paper.
What to look for in a used bike.
What are the differences between the years?
What (if any) differences are there between the Touring and Roadster other than bags, exhaust, gauge location, wind screen and engine bars?

 

[JackG]

I will take the easy question: Touring is detuned in the HP area but has similar Torque. Does not accelerate as quick, especially on low end. We are talking 100HP instead of 146HP. 150 Torque on both.

 

[groo]

it that missing 46hp just in the engine tune? tune and exhaust? even more involved?

 

[BigNorm]

I will take the easy question: Touring is detuned in the HP area but has similar Torque. Does not accelerate as quick, especially on low end. We are talking 100HP instead of 146HP. 150 Torque on both.

That being said I have never ridden the roadster and all I can say about the touring power and torque is HOLE E SHIET! The bike pulls and pulls and this is in pure stock form. I had just put cams in my Harley bagger when I rode the R3 for the first time. I traded in a bike I had put years and years of work into in an instant. The power and performance is all in the Rocket 3. Now I just got to make it more of a road couch. I miss that part.

 

[Boog]

Hello Groo and welcome form Virginia. If you like riding around with any distance, I vote for the R3T. I have a 2014 with 36K miles now. If you are more of a weekender or just bar hopper, then the R3R will complete your life just fine. I know many will tell you the R3T was detuned, I prefer to call it retuned for another purpose which works quite well for the Touring. And don't think that the R3T will not pull the front wheel off the ground for it will (just not in a pretty way).

Where do you hang your hat now? Put it under your icon and more folks will be able to help you when you buy your Rocket.

By the way, what other bikes have you ridden in your past? Most current riders here have started on something else with only a few taking the Rocket as their first ride.

 

[BigNorm]

it that missing 46hp just in the engine tune? tune and exhaust? even more involved?

It's all motor groo. with some work guys here are making up to 175hp naturally aspirated. I think 300 would be easy with a turbo. That being said I'm a guy who likes to ride every day and I'm going to give myself some time to get used to the Rocket before I mess with it... much... I think.

 

[Rick Morris]

Welcome form Cape Cod, MA. I can only speak for the R3R and say you will ask yourself why you have been away from bikes for so long. The answer is Yes. The touring is de-tuned in the ECM. You can change that with a tune. There are several guys here on this forum that have years of experience with Rockets. They will be here soon. I have bled Team Green most of my life but the Rocket has changed my perception of what a Big Cruiser is capable of. I have a 2011 Roadster and have done only minor upgrades as the K&N filters and a tune. It is an absolute street beast with these minor changes. For the dollar to fun ratio you cannot beat the Rocket for a good portion of you riding experience. I am currently looking to add a touring to the fleet as I have several big rides planned. I want to keep the Roadster a solo ride for the Hooligan in me.

 

[Big Gun]

Welcome from North Texas groo.

I'll add this. Roadster has anti-lock brakes.

 

[Sensfan]

Welcome from North Texas groo.

I'll add this. Roadster has anti-lock brakes.

R3T has anti lock as well. BUT, there are rockets in the US that stated they has ABS but didn't. Best to confirm that before purchase, it is a big plus. The R3T's can easily be bumped up 30hp for the cost of a $20 cable, after that your looking at filters, different exhaust etc. but it still has a considerable amount of torque. I wanted bags and footboards, so that eliminated the roadster(footpegs) and the classic(boards, no bags) Although, i'm not sure if this is true or not, on the Triumph site that services Canada, they claim the deristricting is removed on 2015 R3T, but they also showed less HP on the roadsters than in the past.

 

[Claviger]

it that missing 46hp just in the engine tune? tune and exhaust? even more involved?

The missing power is ONLY a electronic restriction. All rocket motors are capable of the output given the same intake, tune, and exhaust, so its super easy to get 40 of the 46 hp back, the exhaust is a touch different and it is slightly more restrictive.