Time for a new ride

Hello from Florida! I’ve been riding motorcycles for most of my life. Started with an 80-something Suzuki that was in real rough shape but it got me hooked. Upgraded to a Honda 750 Magna which was an amazing motorcycle and kinda stuck with Honda ever since. Got into sport bikes with Honda 600 F4i which lead to a 954RR and eventually an 1100xx Blackbird. That Blackbird was by far the most fun I’ve ever had on 2 wheels. Recently I’m trying to transition back into cruisers so I picked up a super clean 2014 Honda Valkyrie. It’s a solid bike but being discontinued for so long gives me some part availability concerns.

So I’ve been looking for a new bike and am leaning hard towards a new Rocket 3. Figured I’d join this forum and see what I can learn from you fine folks. Thanks for having me!

Welcome to the forum. I like Hondas too, among my collection is a Blackbird and a CL175

Thanks Tripps. Do you have an R3? How’s the reliability and maintenance compare to Honda?

To try and offer some perspective, I've heard it said that Triumph is the most reliable of the European bike makers, and from what I've seen there aren't any major or frequent issues with the R3 generally speaking.

With all that said though, a rocket really isn't about reliability or value for money. It's a genuinely unique bike that is all sorts of fun. I used to be strictly Japanese for everything, being completely unwilling to compromise reliability for anything else, then I impulse purchased a rocket (the old model). It has given me a couple of small issue but it is an older bike now, but it is completely worth it honestly. But everyone has to draw that line where suits them, my advice is go test ride one, you will work out instantly if it's for you or not.

welcome from Tucson Arizona USA

It only took me test riding a rocket one time 15 years ago to know I would eventually own one. Had a couple goldwings and a 750 night hawk in the mean time untill this year when I got a new rocket 3. The second gen of these bikes(2020-2026) is even better than the older style I test road.

I've had a lot of holly **** this thing is bad ass moments on this bike but it will also take you by surprise if you let it. So far I haven't had any issues in the 3800 miles I put on it this year. Being able to swap parts between the GT and R of this bike is a nice benifit. Gives you a road to making it exactly how you want it.

The main difference between the GT and R is the seat on the R is an inch thicker and makes you sit an inch further forward. The handle bars on the R makes you lean more forward. The GT has forward foot controls that are 9 inches further forward than R's mid foot position. The GT has wider exhaust shields. The GT has a small wind screen, rear sissy bar for a passenger, different passenger cushion and heated hand grips. I ended up getting the GT but switched it to the mid controls.

They are a super fun bike, you really should take one for a test ride.

I appreciate the insight you guys are providing. It’s very helpful. There is a Sky Power Sports pretty close to me that has a few of the new R3’s, I’ll have to ask them what it would take to get a test ride. GT or R might be a tough decision.

You guys have any experience with removable luggage? I have Corbin beetle bags on my Valkyrie which look great but are not very functional. I think I’d go removable next time.

Here’s a shot of the current bike.

Octagun said:

I appreciate the insight you guys are providing. It’s very helpful. There is a Sky Power Sports pretty close to me that has a few of the new R3’s, I’ll have to ask them what it would take to get a test ride. GT or R might be a tough decision.

You guys have any experience with removable luggage? I have Corbin beetle bags on my Valkyrie which look great but are not very functional. I think I’d go removable next time.

Click to expand...

They have removable panniers from triumph that are made for this bike. A quick google search will show ya what they look like. Not real big but still better than nothing. Being easily removable is a big plus in my book. Nice looking Valcarie, I've always wanted one of those too when I fist saw one.

Thanks mo I’m looking at them now.