Triumphrat

06-13-2006

I'm seriously looking at getting a Triumph Rocket 3 as a stablemate for my Yamaha FZ6 (after selling my ST1300). I'm curious what ya'll think off it, those of you who have ridden and/or own one. I'm 6'2" with a 34" inseam.

Rocket 3 Forums and Websites?

In addition to wanting to hear your overall general opinion, I am also specifically interested in the following:

How is it out on the highway, doing 80mph or so? Wind buffeting? Windscreens? Have a 75 mile roundtrip commute to work, mostly at highway speeds. Good bike for that?

MPG? Range before needing fuel? 87 octane?

How's the stock seat? The factory gel and touring seats? Aftermarket?

Luggage? The Corbin Beetle bags look good, but expensive. Any other hard bag (and lockable) options?

How well do Triumph's heated grips work?

Cost of ownership? Is it really only every 10k miles for service? Cost? How often for valve adjustments/checks? How often do you need new tires, and cost?

RidinSunshine · 06-13-2006

Quote:

On 2006-06-13 11:40, HewhoisCD wrote:
I'm seriously looking at getting a Triumph Rocket 3 as a stablemate for my Yamaha FZ6 (after selling my ST1300). I'm curious what ya'll think off it, those of you who have ridden and/or own one. I'm 6'2" with a 34" inseam.

** MY HONEY IS 6'2" RIDES IT WELL

Rocket 3 Forums and Websites?
**THERE ARE THREE SITES THAT I AM AWARE OF. DEPENDS ON WHAT TYPE OF FORUM YOU ARE INTERESTED IN. BECAUSE ALL ARE DIFFERANT

In addition to wanting to hear your overall general opinion, I am also specifically interested in the following:

How is it out on the highway, doing 80mph or so? Wind buffeting? Windscreens? Have a 75 mile roundtrip commute to work, mostly at highway speeds. Good bike for that?
** DOES GREAT AT 80MPH. I HAVE TROUBLE KEEPING MINE BELOW 80MPH. I AM PROBABLY NOT THE BEST PERSON TO ANSWER THE SUGGESTED WINDSCREEN, SINCE I AM ONLY 5'5". BUT I CAN TELL YOU AT TIME OF MY HONEY'S PURCHASE HE HAD TO HAVE ONE SPECIAL MADE. BECAUSE OF THE BUFFERING. NOW WE FIND OUT THERE IS A DIFFERANT SOLUTION FOR THIS AND IT IS CALLED LOWER AIR DEFLECTORS. SOMEONE PLACED A PICTURE ON THIS SITE OR ONE OF THE OTHERS. BUT YOU CAN GO TO THE OFFICIAL TRIUMPH SITE TO LOOK AT IT. ONLY PROBLEM THAT MIGHT OCCUR IS IT MIGHT KEEP IN LOTS MORE OF THE ENGINE HEAT. AND WHERE I AM THAT CAN BE A VERY BAD THING DURING THIS TIME OF YEAR.

MPG? Range before needing fuel? 87 octane?
**THIS IS GOING TO VARY ACCORDING YOUR RIDING STYLE. I THINK WHAT IS COMMON IS 38 - 45 MPH. BUT LIKE I SAID DEPENDS ON HOW YOU RIDE IT. THEREFORE IT WILL ALSO DEPEND AS FAR AS RANGE BEFORE NEEDING FUEL. IF BEHAVING YOUR SELF COULD EASILY GET AROUND 200 MILES ON A TANK. AND DEFINATLY NOT 87 OCTANE!

How's the stock seat? The factory gel and touring seats? Aftermarket?
** STOCK SEAT IS OK. BUT NOT GREAT. ONCE AGAIN I AM NOT GOOD ON THIS QUESTION FOR YOU. DUE TO MY SHORT LEGS I DON'T HAVE THE VARIETY AVAILABLE TO ME THAT A LOT OF GUYS WOULD HAVE

Luggage? The Corbin Beetle bags look good, but expensive. Any other hard bag (and lockable) options?
**CORBIN BEETLE BAGS ARE HOT!!!! WISH I COULD AFFORD THEM RIGHT NOW. I HAVE THE LEATHER LIKE BRAND. THEY LOCK AND I AM THINKING RUN AROUND $450

How well do Triumph's heated grips work?
**CAN'T HELP YA HERE

Cost of ownership? Is it really only every 10k miles for service? Cost? How often for valve adjustments/checks? How often do you need new tires, and cost?
**COST OF OWNERSHIP I WOULD ASSUME VARIES. YES YOU GET THE 500 MILE SERVICE THEN DON'T HAVE TO AGAIN UNTIL 10,000. MINE IS THIS NEXT WEEK. I HAVE BEEN QUOTED BY MY DEALER AROUND $400 AND I THINK THAT IS WITH ME BRINGING MY OWN OIL CAUSE WE HAVE IT ON HAND AND THEY WILL CHARGE AROUND $15 PER QUART. COST IS GONNA VARY ON THIS. DEPENDS ON YOUR DEALERSHIP. ALSO MIGHT COULD BE LOWERED IF YOU HAVE ANY BIKE MECHANICAL EXPERIENCE AND DO SOME THINGS YOURSELF THAT THE DEALER WILL ALLOW WITH OUT VOIDING YOUR WARRANTEE. TIRES? GONNA DEPEND ON WHAT KIND OF RIDING YOU DO. I THINK WE ARE GETTING AROUND 8,000 WITH OUR TWO BIKES. BUT HONEY JUST CHANGED OVER TO THE CAR TIRE THAT SOMEONE ELSE CAN TELL YOU ABOUT. IT IS SUPPOSED TO GET SO VERY MUCH MORE DISTANCE ON IT. SORRY CAN'T TELL YOU COST OFF OF TOP OF MY HEAD.

[ This message was edited by: RidinSunshine on 2006-06-13 12:19 ]

06-13-2006

Thanks for the reply Sunshine

Speaking of heat, how is it in the summer? Tampa, FL can get pretty hot and humid for quite awhile in summer. Imagine in heavy traffic be bad, but how about whil emoving? The air flow take the engine heat away?

RidinSunshine · 06-13-2006

Your welcome!

Heat? Well the Rocket does put off lots of heat. In town riding that blower on the radiator will definatly kick on lots. Don't notice it so much when riding open highway. And during winter cold days there is a way to put your feet/legs across the pegs to encourage the engine heat to come up towards you.

Ugarte · 06-13-2006

I installed Baker Air Wings on my Rocket to help control heat and airflow past the bike......closed they allow engine heat to warm your legs....open they grab cooler air and direct it toward your legs and to the engine.

I like the wings a lot. However, they are a bit funny looking to most people.....in my twisted freaked out mind though, they look cool in a star wars fighter ship kind of way, especially from the riders eye view. Plus they are something to play with on those long rides on straight freeways.. :-D

Other than the heat issue...the Rocket rules all other cruisers out there in every way that is significant. Buy it...you WILL not be disappointed!

tbsrider2000 · 06-13-2006

How is it out on the highway, doing 80mph or so? Wind buffeting? Windscreens? Have a 75 mile roundtrip commute to work, mostly at highway speeds. Good bike for that?

To quote Sunshine.. IT DOES GREAT AT 80MPH. I HAVE TROUBLE KEEPING MINE BELOW 80MPH. I have a 35 mile highway/backroads trip to work and ride every chance I get. I have the Roadster screen and it does exactly what I want. It does have some buffeting, but not enough for me to complain about. I'm 5'11", and have the wind screen set at it's hightest point though. I ride mostly with my fly screen though, and save the roadster screen for longer trips.

MPG? Range before needing fuel? 87 octane?
New I was getting about 35 MPG, but that has increased as the miles build up. I'm at 6,000 miles now and am averaging about 38 MPG. Triumph recommends 89 octane. My opinion is the Rocket III motor runs close to an 8 to 1 compression ratio, which should easily take 87 octane and I run it frequently without hearing a ping. Octane is to prevent pre-ignition of the fuel. The higher compression ratio, the higher octane fuel you will need to run to prevent pre-ignition.

How's the stock seat? The factory gel and touring seats? Aftermarket?
** Stock seat is acceptable and I ride often with it. I have a Corbin rumble seat, which I do like also, but am finding it doen not meet my needs, so I will be looking at the Triumph touring gel seat at some point.

Luggage? The Corbin Beetle bags look good, and are spacious! I love them and am so glad the wife talked me into them! There are many options out there for luggage, Leatherlyke and Triumph's own to name a couple.

How well do Triumph's heated grips work?
**CAN'T HELP YA HERE... I don't think they sell too many of those down here.

Had to cut out here.. but the biggest recurring cost I can see will be the rear tire....

dougl · 06-13-2006

"How is it out on the highway, doing 80mph or so? Wind buffeting? Windscreens? Have a 75 mile roundtrip commute to work, mostly at highway speeds. Good bike for that?"

It'll cruise at 100+. You need a windshield though + lower wind deflectors (I have Triumph's) to cut down on turbulence.

>"MPG? Range before needing fuel? 87 octane?"

89 octane is recommended. I get 33 mpg. You should get 200 miles.

"How's the stock seat?"

Sux. The pillion is worthless.

"Aftermarket?"

I have a Corbin dual touring seat with backrest.

It's a delight.

06-13-2006

Thanks all for the great replies!

Do you have a link for the Baker Wings?

The Leatherlyke's appeal to me. Seems they wouldn't get scratched or scuffed as easily as the Beetlebags, plus they are a lot cheaper to buy.

How well does the flyscreen work on the highway? Anyone try the summer screen?

One more very important question. Would I look odd wearing my Syed leather suit on a rocket? *grin* Pic of me in my Syed suit on my FZ6:

http://severe.wso.net/images/sigpic051011b2.jpg

Thinking black or blue for Rocket color.

baggage1 · 06-13-2006

Hi HewhoisCD,ask anyone in this forum and they will say stop looking and just get it.I'm 6'2"and the stock bike sets up well for me.I wanted the thing 2 yrs. ago the 1st in town but something came up.So now I've had mine 3 wks.and here is my list.Progressive 440 shocks a must,13in.vs12.5stock.A windscreen next so 80+is doable longer than 5 min.Bags are out there to each his own.I'm leaning to Leatherlyke,a lockable weatherproof hardbag.Got many miles in Tampa on a Trophy yrs.ago it does get nippy get heated grips.Getting 200+ per tank and getting better.These guys in here can't leave the greatest machine to come down the pike in ageneration alone.Always deviating pipes and catbypass mods and tinkering with Gods'intended tune!Don't listen to thier gibberish.Go your own way Baby! You wont be wrong.just do it! :wink:

Ugarte · 06-13-2006

Quote:

On 2006-06-13 18:34, HewhoisCD wrote:
Do you have a link for the Baker Wings?

Baker Air Wings

They have mounts for either the radiator shroud or for engine guards. If you go engine guards get the Rivco engine guards as they are much stronger and can easily handle road pegs and the stress of the air wings.