Why the Rocket over T-Bird

[boale]

I'm considering trading in my 05' America for either the R3T or Thunderbird 1700. I am leaning toward the the Rocket and wonder if any of you considered the T-Bird as well. I'm a one bike guy and need some thing for around town and the occassional cruise. The America was fun but too much gear changing and not comfortable on the highway. The Thunderbird has great reviews but priced pretty close to the R3T. The Thunderbird looks like a nicely designed motorcycle. The R3 looks...awesome! I guess my question is how is the R3T for around town.

 

[ksquared]

I'm considering trading in my 05' America for either the R3T or Thunderbird 1700. I am leaning toward the the Rocket and wonder if any of you considered the T-Bird as well. I'm a one bike guy and need some thing for around town and the occassional cruise. The America was fun but too much gear changing and not comfortable on the highway. The Thunderbird has great reviews but priced pretty close to the R3T. The Thunderbird looks like a nicely designed motorcycle. The R3 looks...awesome! I guess my question is how is the R3T for around town.

Here's my list of faults for the R3T:

If you're in a warm climate, like here is South Florida, it can get warm on a hot summer day, especially around town. When moving - the heat is MUCH less noticeable.

No Tachometer - not likely to bother you around town.

No 6th gear - not likely to bother you around town.

Not a lightweight - but if you're big enough to handle it in tight spots, it is actually quite maneuverable. It's capable of really good lean angles for a bike its size.

That's it - pretty short list.

I can't think of any bike I'd rather have - and I tried everything in it's class (including the Thunderbird) before I bought.

Believe me - there's nothing like a Rocket!

(But I do like that dual headlight look on the Thunderbird Storm!)

 

[HellFire]

His list was on the money for a Touring and pretty much the same for Standard, Classic and Roadster. The difference of course being that the other three models all have tachometers.

I could list a "downside" as being that fuel economy isn't the greatest, it's not terrible, just not great. You can expect to get around low 30's riding "nice" and mid to upper 20's with a heavy hand after the typical modifications you can find here on the site. The fuel tank is larger that most bikes(just shy of 6usgal in all but Touring), so range is good and you won't be the one in the group who has to stop 1st for gas.

The Touring and the T-Bird have narrower tires and generally that means easier handling than bikes with wide tires like the Standard, Classic and Roadster... but I feel you can get used to just about any width after awhile and isn't an issue.

I have to give it to the Bird for comfort, it is one of the most comfortable bikes I've ever ridden ... I'd love to have one. But I would never trade my R3 for it! I could never again settle for a bike with less torque than a Rocket III ... I'm hooked for life.

Spend some time on both bikes and choose the one that fits you the best ... I can't stand people who just buy the biggest or fastest or most powerful and don't take how it fits their ass into account. Guys who say things like ... "Okay, I bought a Rocket, now how do I make it rideable because I can't touch the ground?"... or reach the grips ... etc.`

Good luck making your choice.

 

[CanberraR3]

I agree with everything HellFire said. I think the TBird is an amazing machine and of all the cruisers I've ridden is the best handling by a long margin. And beautiful, in that classic cruiser style. But the Rocket is awsome and unique. I'd always feel that if I had a TBird I'd have short changed myself. The torque from an R3 is amazing and no matter how much you ride you never tire of it. For a big bike it's remarkably easy to manouever and in time it's size (and the size of the rear tyre) won't be a problem at all. In fact, it's the ability to get to wherever you want to be on the road in the blink of an eye that makes it such a great bike in traffic and its sheer presence means it has to be safer that anything smaller. I ride mine (R3 Standard - but modified) every day to work and will never go back to a lesser machine. And they're all lesser, even the TBird. The Touring is heavier so best see what some of the R3T owners have to say but I doubt you'll get too many negatives worth worrying about.

 

[PeteOZ]

Ksquared has pretty much covered it Boale. You can't beat the hardbags that come standard with the R3T (and don't come standard on the T'Bird or Classic).

With the 180 rear tire the R3T handles pretty well around town and on the open road. Like Canberra, I think the Classic and Roadster look better but the R3T still looks good.

At 6'7" I have no issues with the weight, but smaller riders don't seem to have an issue either.

Ride both the Rocket and the T'Bird and see what looks and feels best for you. You can't go wrong. Make sure you ride the Roadster and the Classic (do they still make it ?)......I chose the R3T over the Classic simply because the tank shape and foot position gave me more room, otherwise I would have gone with the Classic (but don't tell anyone that)......

Pete

 

[Molinoman]

Other than Hellfire's misqoute on the gas tank's capacity (6.3 gallons for the Classic and Standard...haven't tracked the Roadster's...R3T is at 5.9 gallons), and if you ride like an old lady like I did you can easily get 38 or above mpg (and that is doing 80-95 mph...Nashville Rat Raid...2007) the Rocket is a decent bike to plow around town, thru the countryside or just take in whole sections of the countrty (Key West to Pensacola, FL in one day...855 miles) at a time.

I liked it when I had one, I have the Thunderbird now for a change of pace and hopefully will see an R3T in my driveway come this fall.

Long live Triumph...and now I'm back in the sandbox for another 4 months or so.

My twelve days home was way too short and I stimulated the economy pretty well...mission accomplished.

Dennis

125 dtg Dubai
126 dtg Pensacola

 

[crazyman]

I've had my R3T for two full years and 40k miles now. I can tell you that around town this bike is one heavy beast. On the open road its fine. The are comfort issues for me, but not all owners have these problems. My comfort issues are due mostly to my own physical condition (neck, shoulder and leg problems).

Mileage is good for such a big bike. Mid 30's. Heat generated comes right up into one's ******. Not too nice on a hot day. Handling is not too bad with the 180 rear.
It's a great bike, but you do need to make sure it fits you. I think this bike was designed for the taller than 6' folk.

 

[borntoride63]

boale, these guys have all covered it pretty well! I ve had my R3 2 summers now, and I would have to say its the best all around bike Ive owned to date! its fast, comfortable and handles well. Ive ridden the new Thunderbird and its super comfortable and handles great! If you go this route I would buy the 1700! and if available get the special red paint its awsome, prettiest paint Ive seen in awhile! I dont know how much into performance you are! but with just pipes, high flow air intake, and tune, you will have about 100hp at the back wheel, thats quite an increase coming from the bonneville (I believe the last dyno I read the bonn was making about 48hp at wheel) ride both look them over! if you do alot of mileage, hard to beat R3T, but saddle bags are available for the Tbird Too, and I saw in a magazine awhile back where a guy rode cross country on the new TBird and said it was one of the most comfortable bikes he has ridden! Decisions! Decisions!

 

[fat frank]

R3 Roadster. BC cut, triple k&N's, Jardine full exhaust system, 155RWHP with 159.99 torque. Nuff said.
I'm in Houston and the heat on your right leg is noticeable in the summer while in traffic. I can live with it. By far the wildest, attention getting bike I've owned.
The 1600 Tbird has 78 RWHP and the torque is 100 if you use tuneboy or tuned ecu to map it. I'ld definately go with the 1700. Good looking bikes. Triumph rocks.
later
BTW, The Roadster is cheaper and the new colors are great. Mine is Matte black.

 

[Jackson]

I would get the Rocket. The Thunderbird is a beautiful bike, but it would be a second bike in my garage.