Thinking I have to have a Rocket III in my toy box.. Questions coming

Anything after 08 will be good. If you like your "stage 2" kit on your HD, then you may enjoy getting 240hp at the back wheel, for probably a lot less than your HD kit.

Welcome to the forum. You will find lots of good info on here, and meet a lot of good people (and possibly a couple of wankers ).

afishinado said:

Thanks Guys there is a 09 on ebay right now for $8000 w/9000 miles. That's the kinda deal I like, has a few items I would have to buy already, looks clean... Need to get a ride on one, hopefully before the week is out. Right this moment I have a lot going on getting the RV together, I'm about 2 weeks away from doing our summer tour, returning in September. I may wait until then, as all this would do is sit next to the Wide Glide in the garage. Maybe I can get a better deal when everyone up north needs to park them for another rough winter..
http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-5...0001&campid=5335943355&icep_item=151337875786

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That's barely an hour away from where I live. If you need any help in checking it out, just let me know. I can give it a very good going-over and a seat of the pants evaluation, as well.

Anything to ride another Rocket, if you know what I mean!

afishinadoit post: 260721 said:

also makes double the RWHP of the RG and triple the torque
Actually not quite... My RG is at 97hp/107tq quite a noticeable jump from stock. The WG is not the bike to be on at speed (at least not mine). The Rocket has to be awesome..

I've always liked the second hand market cos if you buy it and find you really don't like it you can usually get your money back with a quick resale. You're singing to the choir.

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Wow how much did it cost you to get 25 more horses and still only make about 70% of what a stock R3 puts out? Spend 10k on modding a Rocket and you'll have 250rwhp minimum.

Not knocking the HD at all (I quite like them) but 'performance mods' on an aircooled v-twin are a bit like polishing a turd

afishinado said:

...The Rocket has to be awesome...

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Yes, "awesome" is a very suitable adjective when applied to describing the R3 and, Geeze, "polishing a turd" is an apt, but very unkind cut!

afishinado said:

As heavy as these are (I am surprised) does your Roadster feel any more nimble than the Ultra? Before I read all the specs, I was thinking this would feel like my Wide Glide but with lots more punch. Hell, thing weighs in at what my Road Glide does..

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There is no comparison in the handling of the roadster and the ultra. The roadster will outperform the ultra 10 out of 10 times IMHO

My dyna cost 6k in upgrades to get nearly identical numbers and the way she pulled from 3k on was magic. I would still have it if it didn't break 32,000 in. OP needs to know if you didn't add the 3pc(S&S)crank your time is ticking away! all those shiny screamin eagle parts, 251 cams, lifters, cnc ported heads, pistons, se rockers, se springs, clutch, adj pushrods, se camplate, geez all worthless without getting rid of harley's factory 'pressed crank shaft'. my fxdli beat a night rod, 955 tiger, 600 gsxr, but my rocket makes that bike inferior in every way, handling, braking, acceleration, top speed, comfort. wait, harley tranny was better, throttle lock was standard, acc's were cheaper and plentiful, skinnier and lighter, hydraulic lifters so no valve cks, tires last 3k longer on hd. I would rent the ultra when the mrs wanted to come when mine was getting repairs and the uc felt top heavy I leaned a bit to far and tipped over several times (it stopped on the frame so no harm done) not the r3. BEWARE harleys are good underpowered beginners bikes stock. The Rocket requires some riding skill, I took it easy learning the beast.

Well guys.. The right deal came along. With three bikes in the shed already I decided to pass unless I could find a willing accomplice that wanted to play with one as well with space in his garage. Telling friends about this 05 I came across on CL locally for $5k, and I had just decided to pass, I have enough stuff in the shed. Suddenly a good friend became a partner LOL!! We got it for $4500 and we're having fun with it. Has Corbin hard bags, and a custom made fairing from a Harley which is done very nicely. Only issues are the engine guard (which I'm learning about here) and the top of the left muffler rotted out, WTF???

Oh, Harley haters, save it... I just got a new 15 Road Glide in February, nothing like it, this one will remain stock. Speed isn't everything, especially when your 60th birthday was a few years ago...

afishinado said:

Well guys.. The right deal came along. With three bikes in the shed already I decided to pass unless I could find a willing accomplice that wanted to play with one as well with space in his garage. Telling friends about this 05 I came across on CL locally for $5k, and I had just decided to pass, I have enough stuff in the shed. Suddenly a good friend became a partner LOL!! We got it for $4500 and we're having fun with it. Has Corbin hard bags, and a custom made fairing from a Harley which is done very nicely. Only issues are the engine guard (which I'm learning about here) and the top of the left muffler rotted out, WTF???

Oh, Harley haters, save it... I just got a new 15 Road Glide in February, nothing like it, this one will remain stock. Speed isn't everything, especially when your 60th birthday was a few years ago...

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4500 for a 05 with Corbin Bags is a good price especially if the miles are low. I think ugarte is the only one I know with a 05 and 90,000 miles on it. sure he has had to change oil and his drive shaft and rear differential splines are showing wear but heck its got 90,000 miles on it something very few out there have. I think Ian has about 120,000 or so on his 06 now. I think he had the update kit put in and maybe a detent spring, and ignition switch problems but again 120,000 miles speak volumes about longevity.

There are deals out there, I purchased my wifes from Indian dealer it is a 05 had 10,800 miles on it for $4500, Mine is 12 Roadster and had 420 miles got from Katy Triumph dealer for $10k, traded in Harley on it and had a little difference to make up. Probably going to have to do detent spring on 05 but parts only about $70 plus oil and a lot of thanks to R3Tex for the help. I just purchased both of these one, March 27 & one April 3, So you can find some deals out there.

It has 53,000 miles. Original owner (who is a Triumph fan, has 6 or 7 of them dating back to 1957), all records and paperwork included. It had a new ignition switch, and I think he mentioned a valve cover gasket. That's about it that I know of. Only thing I dislike is the Mickey Mouse engine guards... When I was going to buy it on my own, plan was to sell the bags and fairing (then I'd been in it really cheap), but my partner likes them and I really don't care that much either way.