Considering S3

Considering selling my '06 HD Night Rod and getting an '07 S3. The VRSCD is a great bike but just too much show and not enough agility for day to day use. The handling just doesn't match the awesome motor. I want someting I can ride to work everyday in any weather, and flog on the weekends. Something I can put away wet/dirty like my dirt bikes and wash when I get a chance. I don't want a plastic rapped Jap bike. The S3 seems like the ticket, but I have a few questions. I ride about 8 - 10K miles a year, how is the reliability? Service intervals? How many miles can you expect to get from the motor? Parts availability and cost? Finally, what can I expect to pay here in NJ.? Thanks guys.

[MrBiff2You]

Welcome to the Nut House.

You are making the right consideration with the S3 - I use it to commute a few days a week in LA and it is the perfect bike for that purpose - I have done 5,000 on the S3 this year. As for you questions:

- Service intervals = 6,000

- Estimated cost by MCN is $500 which is pretty close

- I've had no problems with the bike, check under common issues for other's experience.

- As for cost in NJ, I dunno.

- If you want to leave it dirty, tru to find a yellow one 'cause it doesn't matter with that color :-D

Good luck in your search

[Limey]

I've done over 10k miles this year with no probs. Look after this engine and you will get well over 100k outa it. I think the triumph factory has engines with 250k on em without major work being done.

[Calitriple]

Man, that Night Rod's one sick bike. I was looking at one when I found my triple. I still might get one next year, that or a rocket 3, can't decide.
The S3 is a kick a$$ bike. It performs VERY well. The torque and power curve you'll love comming from an Night Rod and the handling will blow you away. They do have a few issues with brakes and other stuff but a great bike none the less.
The thing that will really blow your mind is how the bike is universaly respected and admired. I ride with the American Legion Riders and alot of the members are HA or supporters. I haven't been heckled or teased once. Most of the guys, almost all, have come up and complimented it or were very impressed. Quite a few times, when I first joined, I would come outside to find 6 or 8 of 'em standing around it pointing and talking. The rice rocket crowd loves 'em too. You'll really enjoy the S3. I suggest you take it for a nice test drive and see for yourself. It HARD to not act like a total a$$hole on that bike. It makes you wanna do bad things.....

[cheapbastard]

git it dude, you won't regret it. If fer some reason ya find yerself not git'n it, you will be doing this :kck: over and over. :-D Btw, go fer green. :hammer: :-D

Thanks for all the replies!

With regard to service intervals, the dealer charges $500 for a 6K service? I assume this is mainly a valve clearance check/re-shim. I do all my own work, don't pay dealers. As long as parts are eaisly available all is good.

Yes, the Night Rod is a cool bike. Most, but not all of the die hard air cooled HD crowd like it but I didn't by it to "fit in" with the chrome collectors, don't care either way. Sport bike guys like it too. Universal appeal like the S3, just different, muscle cruiser vs. streetfighter. If you look at the dyno curves, very much like the S3, just 150lbs heavier!

What I mean by put it away dirty is that if I get caught in the rain on my bike, its a job cleaning it before the pollished billet and chrome take a beating. Too much cosmetic maintanence.

I had a close call that is part of my motivation to switch. A cop cut across traffic(real bad call on his part) on a small highway, car in front of me locks up and goes sideways. I had to make a rather abrupt evasive manuver that the HD was not designed to do. Barely made it. I have to beleive that a smaller streetfighter will handle these situations much better.

[Limey]

A 6k service is or should be around $200. The 12k is about $400-500 coz of the valve adjustment.

something like this will cure the chrome problem.

[premier]

I would advice against getting an S3. Otherwise you'll end up like us.

:wink:

[ORCA]

Listen take it from a guy who has had a hell of alot of bikes! You th cannot go wrong with the speedy! Also it will be hard for you not to be a jerk on it to. I find that it is the best overall bike I have ever owend.....With that said there is an issue with the breaks for some but not all! It is also a forgone conclusion that it is a tottaly dif ride than what you have now. Absolutely no comparison! Buy Ride And Enjoy and we will welcome you! Oh yea Make sure it is the proper color (BLACK)...sean...

[TonUp]

I like the V-rod! If you get the S3 please be careful when cracking it WFO on the first two gears, the S3 is a Wheelie happy bike and it will surprise you. Enjoy!



Ton Up!