Thinking about buying a Rocket

grampi said:
I can totally understand that, but I'm puzzled as to why so many of them are neglected. I mean these bikes aren't cheap new, and I can't see why someone would just let them go to hell. I buy most of my bikes used and I still spend a lot of time cleaning and polishing them...not only am I a true motorcycle guy, I guess I'm OCD about keeping them spotless too...
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Wow, nice to know there are others like me.;) According to my riding pals my bike is Q-tip clean:eek:
 
grampi said:
I can totally understand that, but I'm puzzled as to why so many of them are neglected. I mean these bikes aren't cheap new, and I can't see why someone would just let them go to hell. I buy most of my bikes used and I still spend a lot of time cleaning and polishing them...not only am I a true motorcycle guy, I guess I'm OCD about keeping them spotless too...
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http://www.r3owners.net/threads/2014-rocket-iii-roadster.23428/#post-342188
Here is one on the forum. repair required on the tank tho.
This is how I fixed the seat height issue on mine - Corbin Young Gun.
IMG_1184.JPG
 
grampi said:
I currently own an M109R. I love the bike for one-up riding, but it's not a good two-up rider. I put a backrest on the bike for my wife, but it's still not comfortable on the back according to my wife. She said she will ride with me if I get a more comfortable bike. Being the performance junky I am, I started to think about what bike I could get that has the balls of the 109, but would be better suited for touring. The Rocket was the 1st bike I thought of. I've noticed Triumph makes the Rocket in a touring model, which would be perfect for us. About the only thing I don't like on the touring model is that grampawy looking windshield. Are there any factory or aftermarket fairings available for the Rocket? Also, are there other seat options available? I'm interested in a seat that has a backrest for both the passenger and the rider.

As far as the bike itself, is there anything I need to know as a 109 owner going to a Rocket? I know it's heavier, but that isn't necessarily a big concern for me. I'm comfortable with big, heavy bikes. I'm more concerned with reliability (as I've never owned a British made bike), parts availability (both OEM and aftermarket, because there are so few of them), and the small dealership network. Luckily, we have a Triumph dealer in my town, so support is there if needed. Any info from Rocket owners would be highly appreciated...
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This would be a good buy...
http://www.r3owners.net/threads/2011-carpenter-stage-1-roadster-2200-miles.23432/
 
idk said:
I can't help with the peg relocation info, but I will say that the R3T is detuned from the factory and will go MUCH better with a proper tune in it, and even betterer with some decent pipes and filters. The Roadster will also improve with the above mods, but it would be more noticeable on the R3T.
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Only because your coming from further back though
 
grampi said:
While the decel popping may not be an indication of a problem, it's just annoying to me. Is that something I could tune out using the tuneECU program, or would it have to be done by a mechanic?

I mentioned the performance aspect only in passing...I don't really need, or even want a souped up version, I think a stock Rocket is plenty fast enough for me...it's just when people were saying it breaks the rear tire loose, or the front end comes up, it made it sound like I was going to see a big jump in performance over the 109....I would say they are both fairly close, which is exactly what I'm looking for...a better platform for 2 up riding without losing any performance compared to the 109...I believe the R3R is that bike...I also see what you mean about the build quality...in that regard its more like Indians/Victorys/Harleys than it is the 109...very nice!
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with a decent tune on a dyno you can get rid of it my bike has zero decel popping
 
grampi said:
I got to test ride a 2010 Roadster Saturday. There were a couple things I noticed. This bike, as well as the R3T model I test rode last weekend popped during deceleration. Is that something that's common with these bikes, or is it a tuning issue? Also, the front footpegs/controls location is a little too high, and little too far rearward for my liking. I don't know how you would be able to relocate them further forward as the rear brake assembly, and the shifter would also have to move, but are there any companies that make a relocation kit? If not, is it possible to mount floor boards on the front of the bar the footpegs are mounted on? Neither issue would be a deal breaker for me, and I suppose I would get used to the position of the pegs...the popping on decel is a bit annoying though. I was always told popping on decel indicates a fuel to air ratio that is too lean.

Overall, I like the Roadster, and I like it better than the R3T, but I have to say, neither model felt that much more powerful than my 109. I know it is, but it doesn't feel like it. It does have more torque, especially at low RPMs, but overall, WOT acceleration wise, it doesn't feel much faster, and it certainly never felt like it was going to break traction, or pull the front wheel off the ground as some have said it does. That is also not a huge deal to me as this bike's mission will be to replace my 109 with similar performance, while being a better 2 up platform. I believe the R3R is that bike. I won't be buying this particular R3R as it didn't appear to be taken care of very well. It only had 2600 miles on it, but it had 2 dents in the tank, multiple scuffs all over the bike, and some of the chrome has started to pit. I will never understand how people can have such a beautiful machine and not take care of it. My mission now is to get my 109 sold....then the fun begins...
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grampi said:
Today I went to look at this bike:

http://limaohio.craigslist.org/mcd/5182405118.html

I was all set to bring this bike home with me today, I even took my bike with me to trade in...only one problem, this bike looked like the owner parked it out in the rain for 5 years and never cleaned/polished/detailed it. The cosmetic damage was so bad that some of it was beyond repair. The wheels had so much road grime and maybe even corrosion on them that the clear coat would have to be stripped and the wheels polished to make them look decent. The sad thing is the bike only had 3100 miles and mechanically it was sound. It also had a Corbin Dual Tour seat, but it didn't lock onto the bike. Something was missing that held the seat in place. Not being familiar with the area, the salesman got on another bike and we went for about a 15 minute ride. I have no doubt whatsoever that the R3R is the bike for me. The torque is so addictive! I can already see my Rocket is going to get piss poor fuel economy, and I'm not going to be able to keep rear tires on it. I just couldn't resist twisting the throttle every chance I got!

I'm starting to see a trend here. All 3 of the Rockets I've looked at so far have looked like this one. The last one only had 2600 miles on it, but cosmetically it looked like it had 100K on it. Apparently these bikes are purchased by a lot of people who aren't really motorcycle people. A true motorcycle person would not buy a brand new $15K+ motorcycle and not take care of it. The salesman looked at my 109, which was of course spotless as always, and said "are you sure you want to trade this in, it's gorgeous!" I said it looks like that Rocket SHOULD look. This bike also popped during decel just like the other two did. Though I know this is not an indication of a problem, it annoys the hell out of me. I'm really hoping the popping can be tuned out. This, and the seat height is my only complaints about the Rocket, but neither is anything that would keep me from buying one. I also love the sound of the stock exhaust. I just need to find an R3R that's been well taken care of...
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@grampi take a look at this low mileage 2011 roadster in Johnston, Iowa. It has a little more snoot then the stockers and there is more to be gained with just adding a pipe and retune.

http://www.r3owners.net/threads/2011-carpenter-stage-1-roadster-2200-miles.23432/
 
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cardinal93 said:
He could take primo care of it and the wheels nights still look like crap....it's an issue with a few threads on here. I clean mine meticulously (literally with a toothbrush) and had to strip them this past year. As for the rest, that's probably neglect and storage. Not sure about the seat height issue (is it too high or low for you)? I will say the Corbin's are on a slightly wider pan which makes them feel higher of the ground if you're short legged. You loose about 1/2-1" in height with them. Keep looking; you'll find your love affair! Did this one at least have rocket power? ;)
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The seat height thing will just take some getting used to. On the 109, I'm flat footed with a slight bend in my knees...on the Rocket my legs are straight with my heels slightly lifted...it's nothing I can't deal with, but it definitely sits higher than my 109 does...I don't know what "Rocket power" is, but I know when I twisted the throttle, I've never felt torque like that on any bike I've ridden before!
 

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