Touring with the Rocket

[Tooth]

Has anyone really road this bike cross country....? anyone out there with 40k on the speedo.....what are the problems. mileage out of a set of tires.?

[plowboyzzt]

Sorry, no immediate answer to that....but we are leaving Thursday for an 8000 mile trip that'll last til 8/20. I'll try to post some reports in the ride reports over the next two months, but computer access will be limited. We ride mostly two up and at 5000 are putting a rear tire on before we go.

[tbsrider2000]

I'm getting 10,000 miles out of a rear tire, about twice that out of the front tire. My last trip was to Sturgis.. I rode from San Antonio to Oklahoma City, across to Denver and then up to Sturgis.
Then traveled pretty much straight down, through Dallas and back to San Antonio. The bike handled the trip GREAT!

Next week, I will be riding to Shreveport, then to Oklahoma City before heading back home to San Antonio.

I have 20,000 miles on my '04 Rocket and have not had any problems. The bike has been fantastic. There are some people with 40,000+ miles on their bikes, I'm sure they will be piping in..

[Ugarte]

I've got 48.5 k miles on my o5 Rocket. Get 8k on the rear tire and 12k on the front. No problems to speak of so far.

I am at a point now though where I am going to need some maintenance...i.e. new plugs, new fork oil, lubricate steering bearing, change out radiator fluid....actually I am way past due on these.

No big deal except for the fork oil....have to remove the forks and use a special Triumph tool to get the fork cap off to change out the oil. I think I will just remove the forks and take them to Triumph for the oil change.

So far the Rocket has been the most reliable bike I have owned. And by far, has been the most fun!!!!

[Tooth]

Last weekend I did an Iron butt event in Michigan and there were many Harleys.I took my Trophy and had a great time. I am not a fan of the HD rider or mentality but I must admit they are nice bikes. A new Road Glide with mods comes out the door @ 22-23K. So I sit there and say whats the chance of making the Rocket a two up cruiser that would do an occasional long ride or perhaps even a cross country adventure....
thanks for the input from all....Plowboy I hope your trip goes well. Please keep us informed..

[Aussiebikerdave]

Hey Tooth, we've done about 73,000km (45,000miles) without problems, at least that wern't self inflicted. Properly set up, the Rocket makes an excellent touring bike so here's my take on touring.


Pic taken outside the pub at Kangaroo Valley, NSW. No prizes for guessing which country!

[ This message was edited by: Aussiebikerdave on 2007-06-19 05:02 ]

[Englishguy]

Took mine to Alaska and Back from Phoenix last year without any problems. 7500 miles in 21 days. Set out with new tyres and needed a new rear when I got back. Front wheel needed re balancing when I got back after being thrashed by the horrendous pot holes and frost heaves on the Alcan highway. Changed the oil in Anchorage. The bike was amazing. Just got back last week from 1400 miles in five days around Utah. Again the bike was fantastic. However, I shouldn't recommend the beer in Utah !!!!

[vonbonds]

I have toured to many destinations on my Rocket, it is more than up to the task. You can be both quick and tour in style as I did when coming back from Kansas City to my house in Maryland last year in a single day .

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[RocketEd]

In this age of motorcycle specialization, the Rocket's suitability for touring may depend on your definition of Touring. I have the great good fortune to own both a Victory V92C (5 years) and a Rocket (for 3 years) and they both make good tour bikes depending on the trip planned.
Sturgis is 1300 miles away and I want/need to be there in the early morning of Day 3? Fire up the Rocket, hit I-90 and cruise as fast as I dare. Only have a 4 day weekend for the 1500 mile trip to Arlen Ness' and the Superbike races in Sonoma and back? Blast down I-5. Destination touring in other words. The Rocket will cruise at any desired speed and has good fuel range. Comfort? Depends on how well you fit the bike.
But if I'm going to do my favorite type of touring where I'm just going to go wander around a general direction for a few days? The Rocket stays home. When I just want to go relax, don't figure I'll need to cruise any faster than 75 to 80 for any length of time and might take in a couple gravel roads, I take the Victory. It's lighter, lower, shorter, more comfortable (for me), more maneuverable, most excellent 2-up, doesn't roast my thigh, and I don't have to be choosey about where I park it.
7500 seems to be average life on a Rocket rear tire. You're highly unlikely to find one in a shop should you need one, but you can likely overnight one to anywhere in America.
As far as problems go, if you read this and other Rocket forums, you know a lot of folks have had problems. IMO this is due to Triumph having very poor quality control. Even though my Rocket has been trouble free, I don't recommend them to anybody who doesn't think they're willing to deal with any issues that may pop up.