Triumphrat

dougl · 10-26-2012, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jamo

I see. The Wiki story is helpful. Which model is the most popular with riders, if that's a fair question?

I haven't seen any sales numbers. The Roadster now has mid controls, which to me is a deal breaker. Seems they were appealing to the street racer crowd. The Touring rear tire is 180, which is much more reasonable than the 240. I haven't ridden a Touring but I bet it handles better. For 2013, both appear to have ABS, which is a major plus.

The power restriction on the Touring is only from closing the secondary throttle plates in the tune. This can be easily remedied with software.

triplestrength · 10-26-2012, 03:09 PM

I have a R3R and I've got a Givi hard pannier kit as well as a tailpack for touring. It does really well.

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jamboa2003 · 11-03-2012, 12:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by triplestrength

I have a R3R and I've got a Givi hard pannier kit as well as a tailpack for touring. It does really well.

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Do you have pics with the bags and tailpack on your Roadster?

triplestrength · 11-03-2012, 05:42 AM

I'll have a go, can't do it from the phone, but will try from computer :-)

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Jamo · 11-03-2012, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by norton74

Both of them have more power and torque than any stock Harley. Did you see where a very lightly modified Rocket 3 set a record at Bonneville? It was a little over 174 mph.

I'm not sure why you're comparing the RIII power to a Harley. How fast is a RIII going when a Harley is going 75?

They aren't comparable. I wouldn't be modifying either one. I never go more than 115 MPH, and only very rarely past 90. The power on an RIII Roadster is more than I would normally use. I don't want to get in to Harleys, although it's an interesting topic.

I happened to stop by a Triumph dealer yesterday, Team Triumph in Janesville, WI, home of our next VP. What was his name, Jason or Travis, I should remember but I don't rightnow, was terrific. They have a great selection of new and used Triumphs and he discussed each one with me. They were really cool. Of the cruisers, I'd have to say I liked the RIII Tourer the best. It looked like a really fun ride.

They could Jazz it up a little, with more color and seat choices. I don't like black anything and the only other one is black and cream. It was nice, but not very imaginative. But I'm glad they are including a ton of what were previously accesories along with the list price of the bike. It did look like a fun, sharp ride. I'd like one.

rocketboy3 · 11-03-2012, 09:42 AM

I bought an 08 Touring model and believe me, stock, it goes like the clappers - torque (which most people drive, not hp) is immense. Bike is extremely well designed and made, I'm not a huge fan of my trans, which is generally okay but clunks going in and out of second gear - fresh oil has helped. The only other comparable bike to me was the Valkyrie which I still love, but the R3 has a lot more character. Doesn't seem to hold it's value so either be prepared to take a bath if you sell it quick, or buy used like I did and get an incredible ride for your money, or keep it forever by which time it will become a classic, like many cool bikes of the past. Go for it - you only live once !!!

Rocket XIII · 11-03-2012, 10:58 AM

As I mentioned in another post, I traded my 2008 R3T on a K1600GTL, and then after a 7 month 4000 mile test ride, traded the K1600GTL on a K1300S (my 3rd one and a bike I love). I missed my R3T so much, that when a 2008 R3T with the same color scheme, similar accessories, and lower mileage compared to the one I traded, came up for sale at an H-D dealer about 3 hours from my home, I went and bought it.

As I was loading the Triumph, several H-D employees came over and made the comment "I've never ridden one of those, but I had to move it the other day, and boy it sure feels like its got a lot of power."

When I came to the dealership, in spite of their incredible floor space, the R3T was not on the sales floor. I asked about it, and was told "We're a Harley dealer. Can't have Triumphs on the sales floor." We took an elevator ride to the basement, where the Triumph was parked with two other metric cruisers. Good for me, but not a brilliant plan for selling the bike. They said they were clearing out their non-HD inventory. Good for me again.

I've got the new to me 2008 up to snuff now, with fresh oil, final drive lube, coolant, and brake fluid. The tall windshield, heated grips, and light bar are on, and the Russell seat is being built and should arrive soon.

Aside from dealer network issues (Harley dealers are everywhere in the US, and they're often open 7 days a week, so tires, parts, etc. are readily available if you need help on a long trip), the R3T has a strong advantage over any competition. Of course, the dealer network issues are real, and a lot of people choose the H-D for that reason.

steve59 · 11-05-2012, 08:12 AM

$5900.00 in harley performance parts will put you in thunderbird storm company if you want.they have at least 8 cams for the twin cam motor. problem is in my experience getting into the 100/100 club with a harley will cause the bike to fail. triumph is years ahead of HD and it confuses me to see triumph riders so often come back to that old arguement. Most harley riders (these days) put very low miles on their bikes. And the hard core bikers go S&S. Guys like me, I rode triumph's & bsa's in the 70's because they were "poor man's harley" come around if we have enough bad luck with our "dream bike"

georgied · 11-05-2012, 01:50 PM

Hey Rocket. I don't understand the dealer nuances but my local dealer is a large Harley dealer. He is also a large Triumph dealer and he displays his Triumphs in a different room on the main floor of the building. Harley is certainly aware of this because the CEO visited this spring to give him the Silver Shield award. Maybe he carries more weight because of his sales record.

norton74 · 11-05-2012, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by georgied

Hey Rocket. I don't understand the dealer nuances but my local dealer is a large Harley dealer. He is also a large Triumph dealer and he displays his Triumphs in a different room on the main floor of the building. Harley is certainly aware of this because the CEO visited this spring to give him the Silver Shield award. Maybe he carries more weight because of his sales record.

It's always about money, isn't it?