Short Guy Likes the Rockett-------

[zippyburgertush]

...Help me decide , please !
I have a 2011 Storm and have loved the bike but I miss the power of a stronger engine. Iam considering the new Rockett III Roadster vs. the new Storm. As nice as the Storm is , there are precious few engine mods. available to make it "RUN".
One major problem with the Rockett---I can't get my feet on the ground because it is too tall. My Storm has been lowered for me(with shorter shocks) but at the expense of lean angle.
Decisions ? ? ?

[joey1970]

I don't know if this will help.. but I was talking with Sean at British Customs a couple of months ago.. and he told me they were finishing up an air box removal kit that so far has proven to give upwards of 8-10 more HP.

I have a Tbird 1600.. and he told me that this kit would get me about 60-65% of what a big bore kit would get me.

If the numbers are accurate.. that's gonna be pretty sweet!


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[Rocket XIII]

If you're close to being able to reach the ground on the Rocket, I think there are two possible solutions.

1. Rocket seats are quite generously foamed. Get Sargent, or Bill Mayer, or your local auto upholsterer to cut it down.

2. If you're within half an inch or so of touching down now, get some Justin (or other brand) of work boots that are made to take orthotic inserts and then have some inserts made. In addition to helping out when you want to touch down, when you get to your destination, the boots will actually be comfortable.

As you point out, when you lower a bike, you change the ground clearance, but you also change the steering geometry, which will affect handling.

[jp99tbirdnm]

Originally Posted by zippyburgertush

...Help me decide , please !
I have a 2011 Storm and have loved the bike but I miss the power of a stronger engine. Iam considering the new Rockett III Roadster vs. the new Storm. As nice as the Storm is , there are precious few engine mods. available to make it "RUN".
One major problem with the Rockett---I can't get my feet on the ground because it is too tall. My Storm has been lowered for me(with shorter shocks) but at the expense of lean angle.
Decisions ? ? ?

You didn't tell how tall you are?

[zippyburgertush]

Originally Posted by jp99tbirdnm

You didn't tell how tall you are?

.
. Iam 5'10" but I have a 27 " inseam ! Yikes !

[zippyburgertush]

Originally Posted by Rocket XIII

If you're close to being able to reach the ground on the Rocket, I think there are two possible solutions.

1. Rocket seats are quite generously foamed. Get Sargent, or Bill Mayer, or your local auto upholsterer to cut it down.

2. If you're within half an inch or so of touching down now, get some Justin (or other brand) of work boots that are made to take orthotic inserts and then have some inserts made. In addition to helping out when you want to touch down, when you get to your destination, the boots will actually be comfortable.

As you point out, when you lower a bike, you change the ground clearance, but you also change the steering geometry, which will affect handling.

.
. Good idea and when I get to where I am going I can also enjoy being taller !

[Tripps]

Sure you're not a Gorilla? They do have a pretty low center of gravity, they are pretty well balance. A few on the Rocket forum have lowered them up to an inch, I think, and don't recall any handling complaints.

[zippyburgertush]

Originally Posted by Tripps

Sure you're not a Gorilla? THEY DO HAVE A PRETTY LOW CENTER OF GRAVITY, they are pretty well balance. A few on the Rocket forum have lowered them up to an inch, I think, and don't recall any handling complaints.

.
.I have considered suing the city for building the curbs so close to my A$$
. The handling was one of my main concerns----thanks !

[coneye]

I am 5' 8" with a 27-28 inseam , Had the same problem , I had the rocket tourer ,, not the classic but the tourer , shaving the seat will not help been there done that , its not the height of the seat its the width thats the problem I bought some progresive shocks 35 mm lower and dropped the triple tree 25mm to even it up ,, and presto different bike , i can reach the floor , , gave me a ot more confidence in the slow stuff , and regards clearance ,,, don't worry about it the rtocket has heaps to start with so your left with more than enough ,,, not only that the bike looks a lot cooler

[Rocket XIII]

Originally Posted by coneye

I am 5' 8" with a 27-28 inseam , Had the same problem , I had the rocket tourer ,, not the classic but the tourer , shaving the seat will not help been there done that , its not the height of the seat its the width thats the problem I bought some progresive shocks 35 mm lower and dropped the triple tree 25mm to even it up ,, and presto different bike , i can reach the floor , , gave me a ot more confidence in the slow stuff , and regards clearance ,,, don't worry about it the rtocket has heaps to start with so your left with more than enough ,,, not only that the bike looks a lot cooler

If you're at 27", you may not be able to do the seat mods or the boot mods and get away clean.

However, shaving the seat is not just a matter of coming in with an electric knife and topping it off. You need to contour it at the front so that you can drop down when its time to stop. Sargent, Corbin, Mayer, and Russell (famous US seat builders / rebuilders) know this and can implement it well for many riders. Maybe there is an equivalent company in Oz. If not, maybe it would be a good start up company in Oz.