Decision on RocketIII vs Stratoliner

[dlittwin]

Well, it's boiled down to two bikes - the RocketIII and the Stratoliner (Yamaha). What I want is a Stratoliner that runs like the Rocket. The one concern I have with the RIII is when I test drove it the gears were VERY stiff. Don't know if it gets better after break-in or not. Any info on this?

[vonbonds]

The transmission really gets a LOT smoother as you pile the miles on the bike. My bike has 24K on it now and my tranny runs like silk. You hear that "clunk" going from gear to gear but it isn't noticeable on the left foot.

The Rocket tranny in my opinion is light years better than the one on my 04 Thunderbird Sport.

[tbsrider2000]

I have about 4500 miles on mine now and, while I wouldn't trade my Rocket for anything, the shifting is not nearly as smooth as it could be.
Shifting has improved considerably with mileage, but is still notchy and occaisionally requires a double-pull on the shifter to shift to the next gear. It's never been enough of a problem to be a safety issue, but it is something that is noticable.
If it is anything like my TBS was though, it will take a long time to break-in properly. My TBS shifted and ran better at over 10,000 miles than it did when new. It had over 36,000 miles on it when I sold it and it shifted buttery smooth and ran awesome.

[ This message was edited by: tbsrider2000 on 2006-04-26 13:03 ]

[RocketEd]

I have about 12K on my Rocket now and it shifts just fine, especially considering you're basically shifting a small sedan transmission with your toes. I use Mobil 15w50 synthetic. If the Rocket you rode was a low mileage demo, you likely got a worst case shifting scenario - low miles and no first service done.

IMO, the Rocket and Stratoliner are apples and oranges. The Stratoliner may be a good V-Twin cruiser. The Rocket is a huge performance bike with Cruiser styling cues.

What I can't understand is why you'd give up your Vic' to ride a Stratoliner? Just wanting something new? I have an '02 Victory CC and wouldn't willingly give it up for anything.

[dlittwin]

RocketEd, not giving up the Kingpin - one helluva bike! I'm replacing my fjr1300.

[Rocket-tre]

Well, I haven´t ridden a Stratoliner (called Midnight Star up here!) but I sat on one earlier this week. And that is exactly what you do, you sit ON it for some reason. Coming from the Rocket and on to the Yama it actually felt tiny!! :razz:
The Yama guys in my town are having some kind of jubilee this weekend, so I thought I´d better go there and dismiss the 1900 once and for all...

[RocketEd]

On 2006-04-26 13:40, dlittwin wrote:
RocketEd, not giving up the Kingpin - one helluva bike! I'm replacing my fjr1300.

Now yer talkin'! IMO this makes it a no brainer. I use my Vic' as my bagger and the Rocket as, well, my rocket. I don't know as I'd want 2 big V-twins in my "stable", especially since my prejudice leads me to believe Victory is the best of that breed. I find the Vic' and R3 compliment each other nicely.
The Rocket is probably much closer to replacing the FJR in terms of power, handling and braking than the Stratoliner too.


[ This message was edited by: RocketEd on 2006-04-26 19:42 ]

[Aussiebikerdave]

IMHO one doesn't buy a Rocket because it's got smooth gearshifts, looks like a '38 Oldsmo-something or has a V-twin hidden under the tank. Nah, one buy's a Rocket 'cos one wants the biggest baddest tyre-shreddin' son of a gun on the strip. No amount of retro styling makes the Strato as good as the Rocket, clunky gearshift or not!

Every bike that I have ever owned has had some glitches in the way it works, something that I wasn't happy about so I either changed it , modified it or just put up with it. The Stratoliner will be the same just as the Rocket is the same. So what it boils down to is this: do you want a bike with a modicum of power or do you want the to enjoy the easy riding monster power of the worlds largest mass produced motorcycle? Answer that one! :-D Davo

[Ugarte]

The only v twins that catch my eye anymore are the Victory's, The Ness boys have really done a great job. The local Triumph dealer also sells Vics and I always drool over them. In fact, a shop full of Vics and Triumphs is a place I just hate to leave........

Every other mass produced v twin cruiser out there bores me to tears.....at least since buying the Rocket. The Stratoliner is probably a great bike but, money notwithstanding, no way in h e doublehockeysticks would I choose one over the mighty Rocket. I wouldn't even choose those beautiful Victory's over the Rocket.

My Rocket is my bagger.....soon to have a trunk, heated grips, heated Corbin seat (thanks to 2 dawgs), running lights.......I am shooting for 50 thousand miles on the odo by January 1 07......got 24k more to go... :razz: :-D :-D

Needles to say I love the mighty ROCKET!

[dlittwin]

Got it. Thanks, all. I test drove the Rocket and now gotta have one. Got my eye on a black beauty. I have another post about saddlebags but will start a new thread.