R3 fit for big guys ?

Hi, I'm new to the forum (obviously, they say!).
I currently ride a Vulcan2000 but at 6'7" and 320lbs I am about to outlay a significant amount of Aussie dollars on Progressive shocks and tall Rifle windshield.

Now is the time to consider other options and there really is only one as far as I'm concerned. I have always liked the look of the R3, but they weren't available when I bought the Vulcan and I wasn't game to buy on spec due to my size.

I have noticed talk of size 15 boots and boards on this forum which piqued my interest.

I took an R3 for a test run last weekend, and just couldn't operate the shift or brake properly with my size 14s, even though the ride was sensational.

I would be very interested to know if the R3 can be accessorised to a comfortable fit for tall guys, or whether they just put up with a less than ideal setup just to enjoy the bike.
Regards, :-D

[Aussiebikerdave]

BigW, welcome the the club, Rocket rider or not! Which model did you ride, the Classic with foot boards or the standard with pegs?

Most riders add/chop/change/customise their bikes to suit a certain look or achieve a certain level of comfort and Rocket riders are no different so you would probably have to remove the gear change heel rocker to accommodate an extra large hoof if you rode the Classic version. As to the toe shifter and brake pedal, there should be some adjustment available to make it more useable. There's always more than one way to skin a cat! Davo

Thanks Dave,
I rode the standard. Nearly found myself up on the passenger seat when I took off in a hurry ! The 2053cc Vulcan's got some poke, but not a patch on the R3.

I'll be after comfort and 2 up. I've modded the Vulcan 2000 extensively for my height (forward boards, 10" mini apes, Mustang seat etc). The boards are actually better for a large hoof with the heel rocker. It'll be interesting to see what some of the "size 15s" say !
Regards, Pete.

[TallTxGuy]

One of my biggest issues with the Rocket is the somewhat tight footpeg to seat relationship. I'm 6'8 and weigh 280 with a 36" inseam. I plan on doing some fabrication with those controls, moving them forward a bit, and I'm gonna have the seat reupholstered, which will add 1/2" to an 1" of seat height. So far as forward controls on the market for the Rocket III, there are absolutely none. You mentioned having problems operating the controls with boots on...When I took delivery of my R3, they had the controls set up so that my heel had to come off the peg to shift. I adjusted it rather easily and solved that problem. Now my heel doesn't leave its peg. And yeah, I wear a 15 too. LoL Have fun searching for your new bike!

[ This message was edited by: TallTxGuy on 2006-05-29 07:22 ]

[RocketEd]

Yeah, what he said. 6'7" with a 38" inseam here. The pegs are too high and close for me, bars too close. Funny how such a big bike can feel cramped! Even the passenger pegs are too close for some, so Rivco sells a kit to move them 4" ahead. An outfit called Raask sells adjustable peg mounts for the rider. There's a link here somewhere.
Like Texas says nobody I know of is making forward controls for the Rocket yet, and mounting freeway pegs on crash bars doesn't really work either because you have to mount them so high to clear stock controls.
As far as the foot controls go, even my size 15 steel toe work boots work just fine for the gear shift and oddly enough brake pedal location is perfect.
If I were you though, I wouldn't even consider the Standard for comfort and two up. The Classic floorboard and seat arrangement felt MUCH better to me, and as I'm sure you know, the floorboards allow you to move around a little.

Hey Guys, thanks very much. That's great info.
Hi Ho, Hi Ho, Off to research I go ! :-D

[TallTxGuy]

RocketEd,
I checked out the Raask site. It looks to me like those moving pegs achieve the same thing forward controls would do. RocketEd, those moving pegs look like something you and I could use. Any reason why you haven't ordered them yet (anything bad I need to know!)?
Thanks,
Tall Tx Guy

[TallRocket]

My Little Brothers!

The biggest ride quality add on was the purchase to the 13.5" Progressive Shocks. The additional 1/2" to 1" of seat height- improved the knee bend and the improved knee bend improved the foot position on the pegs. It also allowed longer distances before butt burn. Don't judge the bike with the stock shocks. I was right there with you about the need for forward controls and problems with shifting - until I added the shocks.

Thanks for the tip on moving the rear brake peg. A taller seat is also on my wish list.

Where are you getting your riding gear? Joe Rocket has one jacket 3XLT and one Ballistic riding pants that is almost long enough. Draggin Jeans - are almost long enough. HD riding gear - chaps and jacket fits best.

Any interest in approaching a supplier to special order?

[RocketEd]

On 2006-05-29 19:10, TallTxGuy wrote:
RocketEd,
I checked out the Raask site. It looks to me like those moving pegs achieve the same thing forward controls would do. RocketEd, those moving pegs look like something you and I could use. Any reason why you haven't ordered them yet (anything bad I need to know!)?
Thanks,
Tall Tx Guy

There were several reasons for me personally not ordering them.
Price - seemed high for what you got. I'm infamous as a cheap bastid though, so maybe it is reasonable.
Dealing with a foreign/unknown to me company.
It didn't seem to move the pegs THAT far ahead.
I wasn't sold on the looks of all those holes.
Early reports were the chrome sucked.
I scrounged up material mistakenly thinking I'd have time last winter to make my own.
I really thought the aftermarket would leap on making cleaner forward controls for the Rocket. It's not that tough for experienced manufacturers to do.
Was not certain which direction I'm going with Rocket or even if I was going to keep it, so didn't want to spend $$ on it. Presently thinking more along the lines of rear sets to let the Rocket better embrace its inner hooligan child and keeping my Victory for the "bagger" work.
There, how's that for more info than you really wanted? :-D

TallRocket - Normally an off the shelf LT or XLT works fine for me in the jacket department, thank God.
For rain pants I use a FroggToggs 3XL with added stirrups. Totes in "Giant" work for rain boots if I keep the insides well lubed with Armor All.
I don't even try for Ballistic type riding pants that fit. 24 years ago I had Bates Leather make me a custom set of riding jeans. I've worn them for many, many, tens of thousands of miles and they've held up unbelievabley well. They will install pockets, zippers, vents, etc, dang near anyway you like. I can't recomend them strongly enough.

[TallTxGuy]

RocketEd,
Wish the politicians gave me as detailed answers as you do. On the other hand, maybe it's best I don't really know what's up in Washington D.C. LoL
So yeah, thanks for the info. I found a dealer in the states, Omar's Cafe Motorcycles (omarcafe@aol.com), who will sell me the moving footrest for $398 + $15 shipping. I do agree that the price is high and the holes aren't incredible-looking. I can live with the price and the holes; I cannot live with bad chrome. Gonna have to wait until I hear from some folks on the chrome. I know we're only talking 3 to 4 inches, but as she said, a few extra inches are worth it. LoL
I'll keep ya posted,
TallTxGuy

TallRocket,
About those Progressives...Do they actually increase any distance from the seat to the footpeg or is it just increasing distance from the seat to the ground.
Thanks,
Tall Tx Guy