Triumphrat

Lee H · 08-10-2012, 07:18 PM

I did not post this in the rocket forum, because I did not want to limit the responses...

I am really considering an RIII, but I have a concern bout lean. Will there be a significant torque lean if I hook a small trailer behind it?
I know the old Guzzis had torque lean issues if you worked the engine over.I see the potential for the same issues with the RIII

I am not talking pulling a camper trailer. I am building a small trailer, just large enough to haul a couple guitars, and extra pedal board, and a few extra cords. I want to be able to ride my bike to gigs

roxynoodle · 08-10-2012, 07:53 PM

If Dog's Bonnie can pull that trailer all over creation I can't see how it could affect a RIII all that much. It will probably barely know it's there.

dogtired · 08-10-2012, 07:59 PM

Lee, I don't understand what you mean by torque lean. I am probably being thick here and need it explained in words of one syllable or less.

If you are going to construct the trailer yourself, I have a few suggestions as I have probably put in 20,000+ miles this year towing a trailer behind my Bonnie, so I think I might just have a couple of ideas to share about it.

Construction, hitch type, wheelbase etc.

Tripps has a RIII and regularly pulls a trailer with his, he might be a good source of information as well.

Lee H · 08-10-2012, 08:03 PM

there is absolutely no question that is has the torque. That engine is a beast. My trailer will not weigh as much as a passenger. My concern is the placement of the weight, being behind the bike as opposed to on top of it, and how that effects a bike that seems to have a tendency to want to lean under acceleration (common issue on bikes with a crankshaft running inline with the chassis, instead of opposed to it)

roxynoodle · 08-10-2012, 08:05 PM

I think he means he is wondering how much of the power will be lost, Dog.

I've never pulled a trailer on a bike, but I know if I'm pulling something heavy with my truck I turn off the O/D. On a stick I don't use the O/D gear, so it's possible you would want to do the same riding with a trailer.

Lee H · 08-10-2012, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roxynoodle

I think he means he is wondering how much of the power will be lost, Dog.

I've never pulled a trailer on a bike, but I know if I'm pulling something heavy with my truck I turn off the O/D. On a stick I don't use the O/D gear, so it's possible you would want to do the same riding with a trailer.

No, power is not the issue...

Think of your pickup. When you rev it up, it twists to the right. The torque of the engine squats the right side suspension, and the left rises.
The RIII has a engine with a crank running inline with the chassis. This can make the engine want to rotate to the right side, and the rider must compensate. I want to know how much more it will "twist" if a weight is behind the bike, as opposed to a passenger acting as ballast

roxynoodle · 08-10-2012, 08:15 PM

Ok, I know what you're saying. It isn't something you feel as much on my truck, but I had this 85 Chrysler Laser when I was in college that did it badly enough that I wondered if the engine was too powerful for the frame. I used to worry that I could twist it.

Lee H · 08-10-2012, 08:28 PM

The old dodge muscle cars had an extra leaf spring on the right side if you got one with the "track pack"

LEE · 08-10-2012, 08:34 PM

Seven Years on the Rocket III and many many miles there is no lean unless you engage it going into a twisty...if any bike can pull a trailer big or small it is the Rocket.

Junipero · 08-10-2012, 08:36 PM

My RT1200 does that Lee. I know what you mean now. But I can't figure out how pulling a trailer would affect it any more or less...at legal speeds anyhow.