Which Rocket For Tall Guy?

[Blastedbones]

Welcome to the forum
Have you tried a test ride? that would be the way to go.I would also add that the backrest option makes the R3 really comfortable for those longer rides.

 

[pjsmithres]

Welcome to the group.
If you are looking for used bikes, test fit a ride at any place you can find a bike.
Seats can vary alot.
I sat on a newer OEM seat and a broken in OEM seat and they differ by 3-4 inches.
I found a bike with a seat with footpegs and a seat with the floorboards are seriously different.

I'm the taller with the waist to helmet height and a back rest makes a big difference.
I have really bad knees and with the floorboards, any seat worked better.

All years of manufacture, I found the "hard" fit issue was the bars.
Check all of the bikes for "risers". You get about 1.5" up and back with most.
I bought mine without and it fit OK, but after 3 months I added the RIVCO risers and they make a big difference.


If you are extremely crafty, you can rebuild and newly engineer, anything.
There are tons of normal ready made accessories and add-ons out there and there are people here that have almost built the bike "NEW" from the engine only. This is an amazing group of people that can help with everything.

Welders and carbon fiber manufacturers don't have a prayer against some of the guys here. Body shapers and painters, etc., same.


You'll find that there are as many opinions as people on this forum, but within the group, I can't think of anything that someone doesn't have first hand experience or better.

Mechanically, the expertise is better than the direct Triumph manufacturer.

Add ons, for any style are all over the place. there are lots of facts in the "how to" forum thread.
Bags, handgrips, back rests, tires, SEATS, anything.
Try the search feature and if you dont get the answer you are looking for, throw it up on the General Chat, and someone will answer.

One thing that you'll find quickly. There is something to the # of posts in the avatar column and the member since date, but the knowledgeable guys will let you know.
Look for the experienced viewpoint.

If you read all of the postings, some in the group don't actually OWN a Rocket, but they usually stay out of the TECH.
You can also send a PM to anyone if you are feeling unsure.

 

[Captain Rich]

Welcome. Seat mods are the key...not sure, but I don't think the model years are any different except for the seat changes after they added a backrest option. Try 'em before you buy 'em or just get good bike and roll-your-own on the seat.

 

[tdragger]

This is a difficult one to answer. Here are some key generalities:

First off, as you requested, I am excluding any mention of the Touring model.

Pre-2009, the Rocket was available in the Standard (04-08) and Classic (06-08) models. In 2009, the Roadster replaced both.

On the Standard, you had pegs mounted somewhat forward. The Classic replaced them with boards but remained somewhat forward. A kit was available for mounting boards to the Standard but they are different from the Classic boards (they mount flatter than the Classic's).

On the Roadster, the pegs are mounted more rearward and underneath the rider. I have not ridden one so I could not comment on the comfort.

The handlebars on the Standard and Classic are slightly different. I don't know about the Roadster. If you are fairly tall then you will most assuredly want to look for the Rivco risers to be installed.

The Triumph seats are another matter. If you have some mass to you (I'm 320lbs), the foam in the stock seats are waaaaayyyyy too soft and you end up sitting on the pan. Ouch. I replaced my seat with a Corbin and have been much more comfortable since. Also, the recommendations on the driver backrest are spot-on. I love mine.

Good luck on your search.

 

[pjsmithres]

This is my 2005 w Corbin and Backrest w/ footboards

 

[George Medina]

Not sure if you can really tell the difference too mcuh... they were both taken at the same turn a few weeks apart, the photo on the left iw with the New Rocket seat which I believe sat me up about 3" higher than the photo on the right with an older 05 Standard seat, look at my knee positions in these photos along with the photos below in my signiture.. I am 5'11 with a 34" inseam

Im sure when you say tall, you are probably talking over 6'?

I had the 05 Standard for about 6 year and felt that bike was absolutly perfect for me with the standard bars and the stock forward foot rest and seat... adding the flyscreen was about perfect for my height as well... with little wind buffeting... I wear a short "novelty" helmet and have no issues at all

I have since gotten the 2012 Roadster I was fairly dissapointed at the changes with the midset controls and my seat does feel about 3" taller which puts my head and shoulders above the windscreens protection. Plus depending on which reviews you read.. some say the seat pushes the rider forward about another inch... I kept finding myself trying to push myself back because I felt too close to the bars.

With the new seat on the new bike I felt sat up higher and on top of the bike, where as before I felt like I sat more inside the bike with the windscreen.

I have since replaced my new seat with an old 05 exrta I had which dropped me down a bit again.. so now i feel I sit slightly lower than the height of my knees.. but im ok with this.

so with a 34" inseam, on a new bike with a new seat, my legs run fairly parallel to the ground if not at a slight angle setting me higher.

on the older bike, it just all felt right with the forward foot rest and reach to the bars...

 

[R-III-R Turbo]

i never tried the old model rocket but my last few bikes were feet forward cruisers, and i felt the foot position caused me to sit on my tailbone, and round out my back.
i got a roadster and it feels so good. soo much better than the feet forward. i've a 34" inseam too at 6'3.

best thing to do is test ride as the guys have said

 

[bigdoug]

I think you will need to avoid the roadster, the pegs are back and under the knee more. I found it very uncomfortable. I have a 33" inseam and I have an 09 classic with pegs fitted instead of boards.

 

[George Medina]

i never tried the old model rocket but my last few bikes were feet forward cruisers, and i felt the foot position caused me to sit on my tailbone, and round out my back.
i got a roadster and it feels so good. soo much better than the feet forward. i've a 34" inseam too at 6'3.

best thing to do is test ride as the guys have said

Pros and cons to both i suppose, as R-III-R Turbo states.. sitting on tailbone more and curved back.. but legs get streched out more.

I was told the mid pegs give the rider a more comfortable riding postion on the back and seating, but I kind of have bad knees so I liked the semi stretched footing more.

I have added the crash bars and the forward foot rest .. and now ride with my shifting foot mid, and my brake foot on the forward rest..haha...