Triumph Rocket III Worth Hanging on to It or not?

Calboy

.040 Over
Joined
May 17, 2014
Messages
66
Location
Sacramento, California
Ride
2005 Rocket III
About two and a half months ago I bought an '05 with 6,500 miles on it. Rode it around town and at 8,400 miles I noticed an oil leak coming from where the shaft comes out of the engine. I thought it was the rear main seal but it turned out the final drive seal is the culprit. Bike is still in the shop having the final drive replaced.
Before I bought the bike I did a bit of research on the subject and I was aware of some of the problems, the final drive leak being one of them. I didn't ignore anything. I was only hoping it wouldn't happen to me. Well, it did, and because of that I am really looking to sell the bike. I don't think I can deal with not having confidence in the bike and the feeling that I could get stranded somewhere in the middle of nowhere.
I love the bike but I am really torn right now. Once I address the final drive issue is there anything else that I should be aware of? Is this bike reliable after all? What is the expected mileage I can get out of this bike without having major problems? I know a Honda is not, but really, in all fairness, how reliable is this thing?
 
If you are looking for a perfect bike with a guarantee that it will never break down then the Rocket or any bike is not for you. As with any mechanical thing you will have to perform routine maintenance as well as fix broken things from time to time. If you get in the habit of doing your own work then you will be more likely to spot small issues before they become large problems that will leave you stranded. There are a lot of Rockets with very high mileage out there.....Don't worry about the bike, fix a few common issues as documented on this site and enjoy the ride.
 
I've had my 04 from new and I'll be hanging on to it for a while.
Has your's had the update kit fitted ?
 
The mileage is very low so I would be fine with hanging on to that. The only issue is whether or not the known problems that have been corrected on the earliest bikes in the newer ones have been addressed on yours.
 

Rest assure I don't suffer from delusions. First of all, I am a man of many bikes and well aware that mechanical things are not perfect. They all need periodic maintenance, they all have problems one has to deal with. But I am wondering about designing a final drive that has no serviceable parts and cost $2,700. And I read about a guy that went through replacing three final drives, yet he was still in love with his Rocket.
Speaking about Rockets with very high mileage. Can you tell me who owns these bikes? And what exactly are the common issues that need fixing? Besides replacing the final drive or the TPS unit...
One other thing; mine doesn't jump out of 2nd gear. I was gonna say not yet, but i don't want to jinx myself!
 
2700 dollars for a final drive unit . Who ever is doing it is doing you !!!!!! a complete new final drive unit from bike bandit is 573.00 it takes about a hour to change one. your being screwed over. Even if you need a new drive shaft its not that expensive and would take about 8 hours (if you have never done one before) to pull the swing frame to change the drive shaft and final drive.
 
Last edited:
Mine is an 04 with 35,000 miles, had less than 200 dollars in repairs except normal maintenence
 
I have a 2006 Standard (black engine) and have only had to replace one ignition switch and two primary TPS in 60k miles.

If you haven't fitted a headlight relay kit (aka, the Eastern Beaver kit), then you should make that a priority.

Based on your mileage you will still have the old style primary TPS. You might as well go ahead and buy one of the new ones and have it on standby as it will go around 15-20k miles.
 

I looked everywhere, with the exception of Bike Bandit of course, and the price for a new final drive was $2,700.00
Even the dealership I took the bike to quoted me the same price. Look, I am not stupid and I don't just jump on things without doing some research. I researched the prices and all I could come up with was $2,700 That's why I bought a used one from one of the board members for $469.00
If the cost is $573.00 for a new one how come there are people selling used units on E-Bay for $800.00 and up?
Don't get me wrong, I don't doubt what you said at all. So it happens that I find it a bit odd that i could have spent only a hundred dollars more for a new final drive.
If that's the case I am disappointed too.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

2006 Rocket III Clutch Lifter arm position.
2
Replies
12
Views
245
Journeyman
Ultimate lean angle on a Rocket III Roadster without falling over?
2
Replies
12
Views
2K
1olbull
Holes in 2016 Rocket III Front Rim
Replies
5
Views
504
Jagster
2014 Triumph Rocket IIIRoadster
Replies
1
Views
645
TURBO200R4
Possibly the last Rocket III Roadster registered in the UK is for sale
Replies
0
Views
319
Ward
Menu
Log in
Register