Why are people selling their Rockets?

[Jethro 123]

Agreed. I took a 3 year hiatus from bikes and built an absolutely amazing Corvette that was 1000 lbs lighter than my buddy’s demon and around 800hp. It was way faster than the Rocket 3.
Ultimately I sold it and bought my r3 GT because the experience on a bike is so much more fun for me.

I agree

 

[Bunny Burrell]

The picture of my bike was taken at a pee stop between Roma and Mitchel (Queensland)

Near the Muckadilla Pub? I remember stopping there over night for dinner a couple of times going out a couple of Cattle Stations out that way.
Keep safe Digger.

 

[EdgarofDelware]

Ok, I get it: We buy toys, own them for a while and sell them again. I used to do that with the bikes I owned: Bought a shiny new ride, rode it for a year or two and then sold it again. Because a new, more shiny toy came along. The Rocket, I thought, is a different thing altogether. Certainly nor a toy. For me, it represents the pinnacle of my 35 year motorcylcle career and - approaching the age of 60 - probably is the last bike I bought. Afer all: What could possibly surpass a Rocket?

I was surprised to learn that quite a few owners of the new Rocket 3 are selling their bikes after a short while. Some just after a few weeks of ownership. Why is that?

When you buy a Rocket, you know what your are about to get yourself into, don't you? It should be a well-known fact that the bike is very heavy, very powerful and very demanding as far as the rider and his/her skills are concerned. It is not that this bike pretends to be a docile Honda CB500.

When I was waiting for my rocket 3R to arrive, I watched every single YT video from early owners. One could feel the prospective owners anticipation for the machine and the impatience in the waiting time. But after taking delivery, some owners seemed to be disappointed quickly. The reasons seemed to be excuses: The design did not appeal, the fuel consumption seemed too high. Not very credible, if you ask me. Even my T dealer tells me that he sees a pattern. He is guessing the bike is just too much for some.

I have ridden my R3r a lot this fall, a couple of longer trips of 250 to 400+ kms, mostly mountain roads and a few alpine passes. The whole time I am either (a) super chilled, (b) giggling like a lunatic or (c) going "****, yeah!" I have yet to discover a flaw. What did I miss?

I have yet to get a R3 and hope to find one in the next year or two, but I don't like the new R3s I want a cruiser not a sports/adventure bike. That being said I am done with my 77 FLH and am looking forward to my next ride either an early 2000's R3 or a Valkyrie is my goal if not both. As to why people are selling them after having them for a short period it's possible they were hoping for a sports bike with a large engine, or a cruiser and found out that though it has a large engine it isn't a nimble sports bike or even though it can be considered a cruiser it lacks proper saddlebags(or the fender to install such saddlebags) and such to pack for a weekend getaway.

 

[Frosty Rider]

I have yet to get a R3 and hope to find one in the next year or two, but I don't like the new R3s I want a cruiser not a sports/adventure bike. That being said I am done with my 77 FLH and am looking forward to my next ride either an early 2000's R3 or a Valkyrie is my goal if not both. As to why people are selling them after having them for a short period it's possible they were hoping for a sports bike with a large engine, or a cruiser and found out that though it has a large engine it isn't a nimble sports bike or even though it can be considered a cruiser it lacks proper saddlebags(or the fender to install such saddlebags) and such to pack for a weekend getaway.

I have the saddle bags on my GT, and the seat pack, i added the luggage rack on the back of it, and can strap a tour pack to it, I have done many log trips on that bike pretty comfortably. If i'm going to be gone for a few weeks, i'll box up clothes and send them by courier to where i'm going, and do the same for the return

 

[Rocketman1]

I have yet to get a R3 and hope to find one in the next year or two, but I don't like the new R3s I want a cruiser not a sports/adventure bike. That being said I am done with my 77 FLH and am looking forward to my next ride either an early 2000's R3 or a Valkyrie is my goal if not both. As to why people are selling them after having them for a short period it's possible they were hoping for a sports bike with a large engine, or a cruiser and found out that though it has a large engine it isn't a nimble sports bike or even though it can be considered a cruiser it lacks proper saddlebags(or the fender to install such saddlebags) and such to pack for a weekend getaway.

 

[Rocketman1]

Edgar...When your ready, I'm considering selling my pristine, fanatically maintained 2005 Rocket III standard, 28K miles many extras I"m the original owner.

 

[Bunny Burrell]

Edgar...When your ready, I'm considering selling my pristine, fanatically maintained 2005 Rocket III standard, 28K miles many extras I"m the original owner.

That’s a really low mileage for a US bike that old, I’d jump at one that low.

 

[Journeyman]

Ok, I get it: We buy toys, own them for a while and sell them again. I used to do that with the bikes I owned: Bought a shiny new ride, rode it for a year or two and then sold it again. Because a new, more shiny toy came along. The Rocket, I thought, is a different thing altogether. Certainly nor a toy. For me, it represents the pinnacle of my 35 year motorcylcle career and - approaching the age of 60 - probably is the last bike I bought. Afer all: What could possibly surpass a Rocket?

I was surprised to learn that quite a few owners of the new Rocket 3 are selling their bikes after a short while. Some just after a few weeks of ownership. Why is that?

When you buy a Rocket, you know what your are about to get yourself into, don't you? It should be a well-known fact that the bike is very heavy, very powerful and very demanding as far as the rider and his/her skills are concerned. It is not that this bike pretends to be a docile Honda CB500.

When I was waiting for my rocket 3R to arrive, I watched every single YT video from early owners. One could feel the prospective owners anticipation for the machine and the impatience in the waiting time. But after taking delivery, some owners seemed to be disappointed quickly. The reasons seemed to be excuses: The design did not appeal, the fuel consumption seemed too high. Not very credible, if you ask me. Even my T dealer tells me that he sees a pattern. He is guessing the bike is just too much for some.

I have ridden my R3r a lot this fall, a couple of longer trips of 250 to 400+ kms, mostly mountain roads and a few alpine passes. The whole time I am either (a) super chilled, (b) giggling like a lunatic or (c) going "****, yeah!" I have yet to discover a flaw. What did I miss?

I'm sure someone else has already said, but I think the Rockets go up for sale because some people like the idea of this kind of powerful bike, but once they get on it they find that they're scared to death of it. I sold my first Rocket Classic to a guy (upgraded to a Roadster) and he turned around almost immediately to sell it. I asked him why and he said it had too much power for him. I got my 20203R with only 249 miles on it and feel pretty sure it was being sold for the same reason

 

[dfresh]

I'm sure someone else has already said, but I think the Rockets go up for sale because some people like the idea of this kind of powerful bike, but once they get on it they find that they're scared to death of it. I sold my first Rocket Classic to a guy (upgraded to a Roadster) and he turned around almost immediately to sell it. I asked him why and he said it had too much power for him. I got my 20203R with only 249 miles on it and feel pretty sure it was being sold for the same reason

I can’t even comprehend anyone thinking there is too much power, ever

 

[Nashvegas]

I'm sure someone else has already said, but I think the Rockets go up for sale because some people like the idea of this kind of powerful bike, but once they get on it they find that they're scared to death of it. I sold my first Rocket Classic to a guy (upgraded to a Roadster) and he turned around almost immediately to sell it. I asked him why and he said it had too much power for him. I got my 20203R with only 249 miles on it and feel pretty sure it was being sold for the same reason

I got my ‘22 with 782 miles on it because it scared the original owner. I immediately slapped the Penner tune on it! And six broken ribs, a lacerated spleen and one cracked vertebrae later… I respect the lass. Awesome bike.