Curves and Twisties

Thanks for all the good posts on my "laminar lip" concern...here's another...i've been riding a BMW K1200LT touring bike for 3 years...it handles wonderfully in the curves at any speed...when i go and test ride the R3 (this time with windscreen), i won't have the opportunity to really try out the bike on twisty roads (i'm in dallas)...anyone have experience with having owned a KLT or RT or any BMW prior to riding and buying your R3?...what has been your comparisons in regard to the handling...i also own a Triumph Speedmaster and love the handling around town, but have never taken it on a trip and ridden the mountain roads, etc...as someone commented in their response to my last query, the RT is great for its lack of buffeting, but no comparison in the "fun" of the ride...

[bonnietiler]

Just done 3000 miles through the Austrian Alps and back via the Italian version, it doesn't come any twistier than that, the Rocket is fine, sure it doesn't fire through the hairpins like a lightweight but it kept up with all the Blackbirds/RT1200's and Pans no problem. And was comfortably the most stable at 140mph on the Austrian Autobahn!

[Jamie]

Out of 12'000 miles on mine, 8'000 or so have been in the Swiss and nearby French Alps. "They don't come any twistier" either. All very enjoyable in a sporty sort of way. Does indeed require... er... rider commitment in hairpins and steep downhill slopes because of its sheer mass, that's all. Part of the FUN, I say :wink:

[R100Pilot]

But you're gonna have to put up with that feet-forward, La-Z-Boy riding position. My guess is it won't be as much fun as the K-bike through the corner, but coming out and onto the throttle, it'll blow your mind.

[ This message was edited by: R100Pilot on 2006-06-06 11:08 ]

[rusty]

Didn't take too long for me to get comfortable with my Rocket. After riding the Yamaha for 28 years, in the 2nd week on the Rocket, I took it along the boulevard here in town (15 to 25 mph) & was feeling that it hugged the road so well, a few times I even put the foot pegs on the pavement. Took me by supprise at first but felt real good. Even on the highway, I take curves quicker than what I do on the old Yamaha.

[Ugarte]

On Sunday I took the Rocket on a 360 mile tour through the Sierras, including Sonora Pass and Monitor Pass. About 300 miles of that was twisties and a lot of switchbacks. The steep side of Sonora pass has a grade of up to 26%, the steepest grade in the Sierra Nevada. The trip took 9 hours.

There is no other bike I would have rather been on when considering all that is needed to have fun on a trip like that. Lots of bikes handle better handling than the Rocket but very few if any can easily handle the nasty winds you get in many parts of the Sierras. Who cares if your bike has light handling when its being blown all over the road and scaring all the fun out of the ride.

The Rocket has lots of power, comfort, range, good handling for a cruiser, very stable in high winds, and gets compliments everywhere you go.

And after 9 hours of twisting through the mountains, I was ready for more. Only the call of beer and food brought me home.

Like Jamie said, the Rocket is a lot of fun to take through the twisties and will not wear you out...but you do need to be firm and aggressive with the countersteering or you may find yourself on an off road adventure such as Bigern had the other day. :-D :wink:

[TallRocket]

You have a great combination of bikes already, the BMW LT and the Speedmaster. I vote you just buy the ROCKET keep all three and be REALLY happy! You need a bad boy in the stable.

Triumph hasn't made a Rocket (yet) that is a direct one-to-one comparison to the BMW touring rig. Maybe you could compare it to the BWM cruiser of a year or so ago.

PS. You need to overlook the stock shocks on your test ride.
PPS. Try 3rd gear anywhere north of 4K RPM...

[rad-lefty]

My brother in Tucson has the K1200 LT, When I was there
we rode up old hwy 666, It has unbelievable hairpin turns & twists. I couldn't keep up with him through the sharp turns, but on the more gradual twisties had no problem, and obviously could always chase him down :-D I must say that
K1200LT handles the twisties awfully well for a big bike.
My question for you would be, do you ride mostly solo or 2up? My brother rides with his wife all the time, so although he loves my bike wouldn't trade his. I ride solo all the time,
so even though I think the BMW is a great bike, I think the
Rocket is much more fun. Pretty much apples and oranges
when you compare the 2 bikes. Both are great bikes, both do different things better than the other one. Figure out what kind of riding you like to do best and than pick the bike
that suits you the best. Best of luck

[wilbur-t]

Does indeed require... er... rider commitment in hairpins and steep downhill slopes

"Rider commitment" is a good way to put it, Jamie. You do have to bear down on it somewhat.

I love to crank it over till I feel the pegs starting to fold, open the throttle and let that monster of an engine do it's thing!

[IceT]

in short if your going to hanker the Rocket around the twistys it requires an amount of concentration....or maybe respect is the word for it....it doesnt wallow and stays straight but its alot of bike and when its asked to move in different directions to what its going then you have to use a bit of body effort otherwise as you may have read in other strings you could be off in the dirt...