But, can it tour?

Hi, I'm new here and seeking information. I'm trying to help my brother select a touring bike. We both like what we read about the Rocket III, but his 'want list' includes a captain's chair for the passenger, heated grips, good screen, saddle bags, etc. To put it another way, he wants a Rocket III in Electra Glide trim. All of this available for the Rocket, yet? If not from Triumph, from others? Can you help me?

thanks

randy in ventura

[ This message was edited by: arbozarth on 2005-11-27 20:10 ]

[Ugarte]

All is available except for the captains chair for the passenger. With some creativity one could be devised. You could buy the corbin dual tour seat and the triumph sissy bar and tail rack. but I would not call that captains chair comfy.

[cyclerider]

i think the rocket will tour as good as any cruiser can w/ the accessories mentioned but that's alot of add-ons. since he wants all of those things, why not just get a goldwing or a bmw or even an electra-glide that was built to tour because the price is going to be pretty close when all the accessories are added to the rocket. if your bro just have to have a rocket then check around to see if any one can customized one for him. i'm sure the resources are out there w/ the right amount of money.

[ This message was edited by: cyclerider on 2005-11-27 22:48 ]

[Aussiebikerdave]

Hey Arbo, the short answer is "yes", the Rocket will "tour"... as good as any other and better than most. While comfort is the No 1 criteria for touring, it does no harm to have huge amounts of sheer unadulterated top gear stump pulling power on hand to be used at your slightest whim! While you can easily spec up the Rocket to make it more comfortable, you can never spec up a genuine touring bike (Goldwing included) to perform, especially fully loaded, like the Rocket does. Believe me, it's real nice to have when you need to get past those 40 wheeler outback road trains like we have here.

There is a thread titled "2up touring comfort" down near the bottom of the list on the current page which outlines the improvements to be done to bring the Rocket up to speed in the passenger comfort dept. Various ones including my good self have offered their opinions on this. Makes for interestiong reading, go check it out!

Davo

[sbljr]

On 2005-11-27 20:45, Ugarte wrote:
All is available except for the captains chair for the passenger. With some creativity one could be devised. You could buy the corbin dual tour seat and the triumph sissy bar and tail rack. but I would not call that captains chair comfy.

Russell could take one of the Triumph touring seats and convert it into something even more comfy for both operator and passenger than typical stock seats you find even on "touring" bikes.

[Bikernoob]

I agree with Cyclerider, just get the bike you want out of the box. My friend has the BMW and it's a beautiful and loaded bike and it's no power slouch by any means, 1 sec off of the Rocket in the 1/4 is not a hellava lot.

I love my Rocket, but sometimes I think that some Rocket owners are a tad too loyal. I half expect some guy to post “Hey, I’m looking for road bike that will do off-road trails, will the Rocket work?” and some Rocket owner will reply “Hell yeah dude! Just put some knobbies on that bitsh and you’re good to go!”


:razz:

[sbljr]

On 2005-11-27 20:10, arbozarth wrote:
Hi, I'm new here and seeking information. I'm trying to help my brother select a touring bike. We both like what we read about the Rocket III, but his 'want list' includes a captain's chair for the passenger, heated grips, good screen, saddle bags, etc. To put it another way, he wants a Rocket III in Electra Glide trim. All of this available for the Rocket, yet? If not from Triumph, from others? Can you help me?

You can definitely equip a current Rocket as a touring bike if you know where to go in the aftermarket AND you don't want quite the gadgetry andl luxury that comes on Goldwings, Electra Glide Ultras, LT Beemers etc. It will be a "rider's" touring bike not a Buick Park Avenue missing 2 wheels.

FWIW (if you believe MCN a.k.a. Mostly Concocted Nonsense) there will be a full-dress factory turnkey Touring Rocket in 2006. If he can wait, that might be WORTH waiting for!

[RidinSunshine]

Arbozarth,
Yes, it will tour. Been there done that. I haven't done the comfy chairs but the other guys have answered that for you. And the like the others said the power is great! But your brother should test ride one if he can. Would be best for him to see what it will do and if it will meet his needs. Or like the others have said maybe he should go ahead and get one of those motor home on two wheels. I here there is an 1800 Gold Wing out there now that is a good one. Just make sure that he weighs all of his options.

Bikernoob,
Yes, we are loyal! What can we say we love the bike. And someone did ask sometime back about off road. And the answer was honest. Not designed for off road. Sorry the bike isn't what you expected. Maybe you should trade with your friend. :-D


[ This message was edited by: RidinSunshine on 2005-11-28 10:07 ]

[sbljr]

On 2005-11-28 09:37, Bikernoob wrote:
I love my Rocket, but sometimes I think that some Rocket owners are a tad too loyal. I half expect some guy to post “Hey, I’m looking for road bike that will do off-road trails, will the Rocket work?” and some Rocket owner will reply “Hell yeah dude! Just put some knobbies on that bitsh and you’re good to go!”

Normally if somebody just said "Suggest some good long-distance touring bikes please..." a Rocket is certainly not the first thing that would come to mind. I'd suggest a K1200LT if they want the ultimate slabgobbler on 2 wheels, or one of the Harley baggers if they want traditional character at a more relaxed cruising pace.

BUT this guy obviously WANTS a Rocket or he wouldn't be trying to talk himself into it as a touring bike. IF a Rocket is what you want it can be made into a tourer, that's all we're saying. He's got to decide for himself how much he wants a Rocket over the extra amenities to be had with factory turnkey dressers.

[Bikernoob]

true enough