Triumphrat

bobmielke · 01-13-2009, 12:15 AM

I couldn't wait any longer. The fog was everywhere & there was a mist in the air. I bundled up in my synthetic riding suit with sweats under everything & headed out from Beaverton, OR on Highway 26W. My goal for this first decent ride was Camp 18, a converted logging camp & now, one of my favorite restaurants. It was quite wet as I left my apartment to gather up the Triumph Rocket II from my garage. The Beast started instantly, with a turbine-like whine as it came to life. "It's Alive!!!!"

The bike shifts easily with the heel/toe shifter. I made a concerted effort to use the heel shift as I headed toward 5th gear. There's no cruise control on this monster but I have installed a Throttle Rocker to lessen the strain on my right hand. It worked just fine as I was able to maintain a steady 60 mph. The engine was quiet with no noticeable vibration. The 800+ lb bike tracks true with virtually no input necessary. The solo saddle with adjustable backrest was very comfortable especially when combined with the touring flooboards.

So, all in all my first 100 mile ride was everything I'd hope for in a touring cruiser. I certainly didn't need to downshift on grades or passing situations. There was plenty of torque for all that.

simpson · 01-13-2009, 01:10 AM

Beautiful!

Glad you got on it!

-simpson

CTCruiser · 01-13-2009, 09:44 AM

Sounds like fun bob I can almost see your ear to ear grin all the way from CT

DaytonaNewbie · 01-13-2009, 10:27 AM

I'm glad you finally got a break in the weather & got some miles on her. Its interesting to hear your impressions of it since you came over to it from a Beemer. My first ride home from the shop was approx. 130 miles & I was surprised at how comfortable & relaxed it was.
Glad your're enjoying it, I think/hope it will only continue to impress you.

LightningJack · 01-13-2009, 10:36 AM

Wow, Bob that is one great looking motorcycle. The black R3Touring looks amazing. Glad you had a good first 100 mile ride, the first of many. Ride well!

AmericaRider · 01-14-2009, 12:11 AM

Darn it, Bob. You've given me the itch to ride, and it's 15 degrees and snowing here in northeast Ohio. ... Nicely done.

Peter Warren · 01-14-2009, 12:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AmericaRider

Darn it, Bob. You've given me the itch to ride, and it's 15 degrees and snowing here in northeast Ohio. ... Nicely done.

Gee AmericaRider, it's only 20 degrees here and I have no trouble going for a ride......oh, that's right, yours is Fahrenheit

Catenaccio · 01-14-2009, 12:28 AM

Bob,

Glad you got out for a shake down. I'm following your adventures with keen interest as your enthusiasm for the RIII is contagious, enough so to make me think a cruiser might be fun. Keep on truckin!

TRIIICK · 01-14-2009, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobmielke

I couldn't necessary. The solo saddle with adjustable backrest was very comfortable especially when combined with the touring flooboards.

Just curious does the back rest help to any extent..! My experience with the solo seat is after 3-400 miles the butt falls asleep and and i have to stop to get the blood flowing again. I have two seats, one regular and the gel seat.I get and extra 100 miles out of the gel seat. Keep us posted on the combo seat/ backrest will you please ..Thanks Rick

bobmielke · 01-14-2009, 10:50 AM

I'm generally a long distance rider Rick so I'm as anxious to see how the solo saddle will work. This 100 mile round trip doesn't give me enough of a taste to report accurately. I do find the backrest adds a lot of comfort. I owned a BMW K1200LTC for 4 years & 68,000 miles. Their stock seat had a step in the rider portion that acted as a lower back rest. I could ride further as a result of that step. I look forward to a 3-400 mile ride on the Rocket. Did I mention my gas mileage for that 100 mile ride was 41 mpg?