Thinking of buying a Roadster

[bruce aussie]

That's correct, the Eastern State with the rugby world cup

You can have the rugby world cup mate. Over here thats the game the private school kids play. We worry a bit more when you beat us at rugby league.

Welcome from Brisbane's southern bay side.

 

[TOMCAT]

Over 100,000 klms on my 2009 purchased 2007 plated Standard... best bike I've ever owned. Don't know what a new ones worth over in Enzed .. but $21,000 will get a brand newey here. Fly over and visit some rellies ( you must have a few here) and take the bike ( and maybe a few homesick Kiwis ) home with you .. Welcome and let us know when you get your Rocket.

 

[peter k]

Pancho welcome ,I've got a 2008 r3 standard ,I'm up to 70'000 km,s ,only spent a couple of hundred dollars on repairs over the last four years ,says it all I reckon. Peter

 

[Mittzy]

Ask Ponters how much he has spent on his But NOT a cent on repairs I bet...

 

[2013r3roadster]

First welcome from Colorado. Second, Just buy one! you won't have any regrets. Did the same as you're thinking. Sold my 08 Roadking and I don't miss her. The Roadking was a good bike but it really does not compare to the rocket... IMHO

 

[Pancho]

First welcome from Colorado. Second, Just buy one! you won't have any regrets. Did the same as you're thinking. Sold my 08 Roadking and I don't miss her. The Roadking was a good bike but it really does not compare to the rocket... IMHO

Thanks mate, yeh, still trying to make my mind up over a 2008 or a 2012 models. I like the triple pipes on the 08 and the 12's foot pegs have been moved back about three inches I think. I'm 6 foot, so I think the 08 might be best.

 

[norseman]

Thanks mate, yeh, still trying to make my mind up over a 2008 or a 2012 models. I like the triple pipes on the 08 and the 12's foot pegs have been moved back about three inches I think. I'm 6 foot, so I think the 08 might be best.

I have a 2012 roadster and the ECU isn't locked. You can check based on the VIN if TuneECU can still reach it, I believe. It wasn't until 2013 that all of the new Roadsters had the new ECU.

I'm 6'2" and I don't mind the more upright seating position at all until about 500 miles (800 km... yeah Americans are still using the Imperial system because uh... yeah I can't think of a reason), then my knees start to get a little sore. I'm thinking of putting on highway bars and pegs so I can stretch out a little, but I don't think the look would suit the rest of the bike. You'd have options if you went with the 12 but chances are you wouldn't need to change a thing if you went with the 08.

You might have ABS (believe it was stock on all roadsters) on the 12 if that's important to you, but from what I can tell there are no other real benefits to newer models. The "claimed" power increase for the roadster was just a change of exhaust.

Post a pic when you choose your steed! I would also recommend keeping the Harley if you have the money. I love my Rocket dearly but sometimes I miss the docile rumble of a twin. (gonna have to buy me a TB one of these days and cure that itch ).

 

[R3Tex]

First up, a 2008 isn't a Roadster; it will be either a Standard (came out with pegs, solid colour, twin seats) or a Classic (boards, 2 tone, pull back bars, dual seat). The Roadster wasn't released until 2010, presumably while Triumph mulled over the colour scheme, with claimed increase in power (but not really borne out in fact), ABS and the pegs moved back and down - stupid move in my book.

'08 and '09 models are arguably the best because they did indeed have pretty much all the bugs ironed, a more sensible and comfortable (to me) seating position, 3 pipes instead of 2 enormous goofy feet and at least some choice of colour. I wouldn't mind the ABS though.

All Roadsters are black (yawn) and the biggest change on the latest one is the exciting and bold addition of even more black. They've also removed the power restriction in the first 3 gears that most of us simply removed on earlier models anyway, but have the drawback of having a locked ECU preventing further tuning enhancements.

I ride my '09 every day and it's given me pretty much no trouble beyond what you'd expect from 55,000km.

Welcome to the site. Stop thinking; just do it. Whatever model you buy you will love it.

Exactly correct with one minor correction...TuneECU now works on '13 Roadsters up through a certain VIN number. Fortunately mine is in the group that can use TuneECU.

 

[Pancho]

Thanks guys, just missed out on a nice 08, ah well.

I'm probably not the type of guy who will want to change too much tuning. Just maybe some pipes and get rid of the mixing box thingy to increase flow and some air filters. Not sure if I need the ECU changes thing for that. Notice I am using my very technical terms.

 

[TOMCAT]

A half hour ride and you'll know which model suits you best. Easy , although expensive swap down the track if you feel the need to change over pegs.