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New to forum and on the fence rocket or bird

9K views 44 replies 21 participants last post by  dazco 
#1 ·
I am new to the forum. So hello to all. I originally went to my triumph dealer to look at the thunderbird storm and fell in love with it. I did look at the rocket III and really didnt want to spend the money. On my search for the storm i found a 2010 Rocket III roadster with 1700 miles black in color with quite a few added accessories like engine gaurd, alarm, saddle bags and grips not to mention it is in perfect condition. I can buy the rocket For 11500.00 or a new 2011 storm for 12800.00 with out ABS. I really like the idea of the ABS on the rocket plus the savings of more the a grand plus the added accessories. Which would you buy? I plan on going on long rides. I am 6' tall and 260 pounds and really like fast toys. Any information or advice would be appreciated
 
#2 ·
I would go with the Rocket. The Tbird is no slouch, but it looks like a Bonnie. There is nothing that looks like a Rocket. In time you will be surprised how well the Rocket handles. Plus, the Rocket has soooo much more potential in the power department. There is a 240 hp kit from the east coast, that still uses 87 octane gas. I am on my second Rocket and I have test ridden the Tbird. The Tbird handles quite nicely and has nice power. For me, the Rocket tips the scale a little more for me.
 
#8 ·
get the Rocket, you won't regret it.
I liked mine so much, I bought my wife one.
We've both tried out the T-bird,
and it's a nice little bike,
but NOTHING compares to a Rocket.
Plus it really ticks your harley riding friends off when you tell them,
"Nice little bike" while looking at theirs.
That or " My wife rides a bigger bike than that"...
I've also been known to rub it in with,
harley makes a nice beginner bike, you ever gonna upgrade?
or "when ya gonna get a big boy motorcycle"....
you get the idea, and the best part is,,,,
they can't keep up so your point is proven every time...:p
 
#13 · (Edited)
Now you are someone I would like to pull up next to, just to try to get a remark like that... I would prefer you were on the right side of me so you get the full effects of my pipes as I show you my tail lights



I too went through this a while back. Both the Rocket and T-bird are great bikes and believe it really is more about personal taste. There aren't a lot of bikes like the Rocket, not that the T-bird is generic, it isn't. The Rocket is just a brute...reminds me of a 60's 427 Corvette with massive torque.
Love this comparison... I am a huge fan of big cruisers, and a corvette owner...
 
#9 ·
I have ridden a rocket for over six years. Mine did not have ABS but the breaks were top notch. When I started checking other crusiers like an ultra glide..well the rocket was way above the brakes on the harley ....if you want a bike that is unique...that catches everyones eye..and handles great..not to mention a crap load of power go with the rocket...if you want a twin that is almost as heavy as the rocket and has alot less power go withthe thunderbird...jmop
 
#12 ·
I too went through this a while back. Both the Rocket and T-bird are great bikes and believe it really is more about personal taste. There aren't a lot of bikes like the Rocket, not that the T-bird is generic, it isn't. The Rocket is just a brute...reminds me of a 60's 427 Corvette with massive torque.
 
#17 · (Edited)
the original belt could not... but neither could the original primary chain. I broke 3 primary chains in three years. The second one went through the bottom of the inner primary casing. In the same time, I lost two final drive belts. I also broke a transmission casing... but I looked at the Boss Hoss motorcycles. If a belt can hold that much power, I thought a belt should work for my needs

Now I have went back to a narrow rear tire (160). Traction is now my "sheer pin". It spins before something breaks. I have a primo/rivera 3 inch open belt primary, with the poly chain kevlar woven belt. I have the wider 1 1/2 poly chain/kevlar belt on the rear instead of the polyester woven 1 1/8 harley belt. I also had to make a spacer so I could use the older evolution steel front final drive sprocket. I was tearing up the later style aluminum sprockets
 
#19 ·
I have this exact problem (Nice Problem!)
I have been tooing and froing for the last week, struggling to make up my mind.
I have a 2012 T100 but it just does not fit me :(
It is a lovely bike, but the last dozen or so bikes I have owned have been 1000cc + and I just miss the power :D
Don't think I would have that problem with a Rocket! :D
Test rode a Rocket a few years ago and loved the power and Torque, but it was only a 5 mile test ride :(
Had a good look at the Tbird 1600 last weekend, and the bike I was looking at was well sorted with every accessory I would need, but I still keep thinking about the Rocket.......
Decisions, decisions.........

Andy
 
#21 · (Edited)
Andy
How tall are you? Do you feel cramped on the T100? I thought the banana seat of the T100 would help stretch out a bit.
I am only 5' 10" but do find the T100 a little cramped.
I am on my third seat now!
The original white Piping seat was a device of torture!
The second seat was a second hand one from a Bonneville SE.
That was better, in the end I bought a seat from Burtons which is the best of the bunch.
Still dithering over the Tbird and Rocket :)

Andy
 
#23 ·
I just traded my 2011 Tbird 1600 for a 2012 Rocket Touring. The Tbird was a great bike that handled unbelievably well. But my wife has started riding with me lately and I'd like her to spend some time on longer days with me. We're in our late 50's so comfort is important. The Rocket is so smooth, powerful, and surprisingly easy to handle that I made the decision quickly so I could get a 2012 with ABS (13's don't have ABS).
I've owned five Harleys, a BMW RT, and now three Triumphs. The Rocket is the first bike that I ever took anywhere where everybody wanted to sit on it. Got it Friday and Saturday morning everyone was sitting on it.
 
#25 ·
I can't speak to the Rocket since I've never ridden one.. but I've never been too keen on the "look" of it. However, I can tell you that I just got a great deal on a T-bird (not the storm).

I paid $12,850 for a brand new 2012 t-bird ABS 1600. It's the blue with white stripe. I was coming from a 2011 Speedmaster. The t-bird handles soooo good. I may consider the BB kit down the road.. but the 1600 still has plenty of power.

The deal I got was:

* $12850 for the t-bird
* Free Accessory package from Triumph that includes: Engine Dresser Bars, highway pegs, quick release sissy bar and luggage rack, and premium oval mirrors.
* I also got the dealer the throw in the 1st service for free.
* And to top it off.. I got 0% financing from Triumph.

This deal in my eyes was fantastic. I'm not sure the Rocket has any deals like this.

I'm sure what ever your decision is.. it will be great.
 
#26 ·
Joey, sounds like you got a great deal! Both bikes are awesome...I have both the 10 bird, and a 12 R3R. I like the riding position better on the bird, as it's more of a cruiser style sitting/feet position, and the R3R has a bit of a hybrid sitting/feet position. On a long haul, I'd prefer the bird over the roadster simply out of comfort (I cannot speak about the R3T...never ridden one).

To those who keep calling the bird "little," just a bit of FYI, there is only about 50 pounds of weight difference; it's not that much smaller, and it's does have a bit more creature comforts to it when compared to the R3R.
 
#27 ·
Hey Doc. Ya.. I'm pretty happy with the deal I got. I was initially looking at a 2010 leftover t-bird ABS with the BB kit already installed. They were offering it at $13,500.. with all of the same accessories I got with my 2012. The dealer was also gonna throw in 3 years of maintenance for free. Tho it was a pretty good deal.. it wasn't quite the bike I wanted (color).

I opted for the 2012.. at a lower price. I could install the BB kit and it would only cost about $500 more then I was gonna pay for the 2010 leftover. Soo... I think I got a great deal.

I love the bird. Very comfortable. And there's plenty of "get up and go".. even in the standard 1600 bird.

Cheers...
 
#28 ·
Great deal you got -- Thunderbird Storm felt perfect in every way when I rode it. Truthfully, I would be more than content with either the Bird or the Rocket, but the Bird had been sold when I got there, so I went home with the Rocket. Very happy either way, but I sure do like the heft and monstrous bulk of the Rocket, as well as the sick 240 rear tire. The Touring I had was awesome too -- love dem rockets. I'll likely get a T-bird Storm Matte black sometime in the future also.
 
#29 ·
great deal you got -- thunderbird storm felt perfect in every way when i rode it. Truthfully, i would be more than content with either the bird or the rocket, but the bird had been sold when i got there, so i went home with the rocket. Very happy either way, but i sure do like the heft and monstrous bulk of the rocket, as well as the sick 240 rear tire. The touring i had was awesome too -- love dem rockets. I'll likely get a t-bird storm matte black sometime in the future also.
sweeeeeet!!!!!!!
 
#32 ·
After 8 years with a 2005 Rocket, I sold it and got a T-Bird. The only reason I would choose a Rocket is the power if that's what you need. It's incomparable and I'm glad I was able to experience it. However, after 8 years of it, I thought, been there, done that. I chose the T-Bird over the new Rocket as well as HD and Victory, which didn't compare. One problem with the new Rocket is the mid controls. They ruined a perfectly comfortable bike. Second are the brakes. Without ABS, the Rocket's rear brake is useless. If you can deal with the seating position, you need ABS on the Rocket Roadster. In my opinion, the T-Bird handles much better than the Rocket. The weight is lower. Everyone said this about the Rocket but it's just not true, at least compared with the T-Bird, and as pointed out, the weight difference is only about 50 lbs. Ride both and compare. I got on an R3T the other day and it was massive. The guy I sold my Rocket to was 6' 4" and 220 lbs. The Rocket fit him very well. I'm 5' 9" and 160 lbs and pushing 64. With 6" Rivco risers and dual touring seat with back rest, the T-Bird fits me to a T. And it has good, if not overwhelming power.
 
#33 ·
In my opinion, the T-Bird handles much better than the Rocket. The weight is lower. Everyone said this about the Rocket but it's just not true, at least compared with the T-Bird
Yep. I have said that many times but i always get a lecture. The R3 is a great bike for what it is. It has something the Tbird doesn't. The Tbird is a great bike for what IT is, and it too has something the R3 doesn't . I felt the R3 handled quite well for it's size. The Tbird handles extremely well, and not just for it's size. It's just superior in the same way the R3 is superior in power. I've heard several bonneville guys who bought a Tbird say it handles better than thier bonnie. I heard 2 different sport bike owners say the Tbird handles as good as thier sporties aside from the reduced lean angle ! Now i'm not saying they aren't exaggerating, but when you get guys like that saying this about a bike, it's undeniable theres something happening there. The bike handles better than anything i've ever owned, and been riding since '69. I think that say a lot. the old meridan bonnies were supposedly handlers, but i had one and the bird would slay it mercilessly except in the slow tight stuff. I've pushed it stupid hard in twisties like i've never done before and even given a lot of sport bikes a run for thier money, even caused one to pull over and let me pass after he couldn't lose me. Thats not bragging, the bike is just that good. Get it in the tight slow corners and thats where it isn't unfortunately due to the ground clearance. But otherwise there isn't much that can handle close to the Tbird w/o getting well away from the cruiser class. This by the way in 100% stock form except different tires at times and 15w fork oil. I'd love some hagon nitros or something like that, but at around $500-800 for a good pair of shocks.....well, i've already spent way more than i wanted to on this bike. I can imagine what that would be like on this thing !
 
#36 ·
When the Harley bashing gets mean, that chaps my hide. I don't mind fun and can tolerate some bashing but when the insults arrive I can't help to wonder why?

Yep, my Rocket Touring can outperform any stock Harley.. So what? I don't care. It's not the reason I purchased my Rocket, so if Harley builds a bike that outperforms my R3T, I won't be butt hurt because I don't measure my "manhood" by how fast my bike is. I purchased my R3T because it's big, stable, powerful and comfortable and looks like nothing else.

On the internet as in life a little humility goes a long way.
 
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