Rocket problems out of hand?

[dazco]

When asking some questions at the R3owners forum, someone made a comment that the rocket has a lot of issues that are in rather large numbers. typically every triumph model has several issues, but he was saying the rocket has more than it's share and that they affect a large percentage of owners. I think his attitude is basically "they have lots of problems but it's worth it to have THE bike".

So is he right? Are rocket owners very likely to run into serious warranty issues much more frequently than other models?

[Trapper]

I have one of the first 200 bikes sold in the USA, I have just under 15k miles and the only problem I have had was the radiator fan went out just after I got it. In fact I just got back from an 1800 mile trip in Utah and even though it was over a 100 degrees everyday the R3 and like a top. I have read about some of the problems others have discussed but mine just keeps passing every HD on the road. If I had to complain it would be about the rear tire which gets about 4500 miles B/4 you need to get another one with no alternative.

Trapper

[Ugarte]

Does the person over at the com site have any statistics or is it just his impression of the Rocket based on internet forums?

I think the Rocket is a very reliable bike, in fact it is the most reliable bike I have owned. I have 50k miles on mine with no problems to speak of, and there are several others with lots of miles and no significant problems.

People tend to bitch on the internet and so the problems (on any bike) seem a lot worse than they are. Its like being a cop.....they always see the worst in people and often develop a very cynical attitude because of it, but it is only because they are frequently exposed to the worst.....as we are here on the net when it comes to bike problems.

I would hate the Rocket.....no matter how well it performed.....if it actually had all the problems it is supposed to have......based on net forums.

[dazco]

I would hate the Rocket.....no matter how well it performed.....if it actually had all the problems it is supposed to have......based on net forums

well, yeah....thats basically what i said. I see it in the twins forum too, and just figure it affects the minority. You don't see the percentage so how can you know. But i had to ask because of course if you're considering plunking down 15k on a bike, hearing things like that is gonna make you wonder even against your own better judgment.

[OUsooner]

Have an '05 w/10k love it. Only had a small issue cleared up by dealer no problems since. Would recommend to everyone.

[Pig9r]

Ugarte you hit the nail on the head (except about the cynical part I have always hated everyone). Go to any make/model forum and you will hear the same sob stories. People are more inclined to type a post about a problem. How many posts do you see titled "Went for a ride today and the bike worked great." The Rocket is on par with any other product Hinkley produces.

[Diego]

It may be poor form to speak ill of "the departed," but those who left this world (triumphrat.net) and went off to inhabit the "other place" tended to be big drama queens who did everything in excess while they were here... including complain. So, just consider the source. (I'm partially kidding.)

I didn't quite get in on the privileged first 200 sold, but mine was among those built very shortly thereafter. Bought it in July, 2004, and kept it two years. It belongs to a new owner now only because I needed to be out from under the monthly payment for an entrepreneurial venture--and the only additional money that's ever been spent on it by either me or the present owner is for routine maintenance and some accessories he added.

Triumph are very good about honoring their warrantees, and they wouldn't be expanding the Rocket and Rocket Classic range if they were having to shell out big bucks for repairs. Nor would the major motorcycle magazines let chronic problems go unmentioned for this long. Maybe that'll help put it in perspective.

[Lancelot]

I had plenty of problems in the begining, look at the various threads. But I have to tell you - Triumph really backed up their bike. More importantly, my problems all had to do with one discrete issue, which while serious, did not effect a large percentage of the bikes that I could tell.

In fact, if you want to see how reliable of a bike the rocket is, check out the number of recalls on the bike versus the number of recalls on any particular model of the Harley or the Honda or other make.

I believe that the Rocket has only one recall notice and it was that the handle bars were not tightened enough.

And if you consider the problem I experienced a second type of common problem - it would be two.

Frankly, I had the choice of backing away from the Rocket and would not and did not and never would. Since my one problem with it, it has been very reliable and very ridable and unique.

It is frankly worth the problems if they actually exist.

Moreover, I think the Rocket crowd on the internet is made up of the more vocal and persnickity riders so if you are hearing complaints about the beast it is because -people who have no complaints are probably out riding it and not typing on the internet.

[Ugarte]

Dazco, as Lancelot has mentioned, some Rockets have had problems and some of those problems have been major, Rocket grounding, problems. Don't let my post indicate I think the Rocket is beyond all that....of course it isn't and no bike is.

When I first started to hear the paint can rattle, I thought for sure the beast was going to blow up on me at some point in the near future. But I kept riding it anyway and on many long trips out in the boonies. The paint can rattle still comes and goes.......but my Rocket just keeps happily plugging along.

She's up on the stand right now, with two front teeth missing and at the dealer for new fork oil and seals. I took the opportunity of this down time to change out the original stock spark plugs. There was a little bit of crud on them but the electrodes still had a nice edge on them though the gap was a little less than the .9mm called for in the manual. They were probably still useable but since they were out I figured I might as well replace them.

As far as I am concerned the Rocket is just plain bitchen in every way a motorcycle can be. Triumph rules!!

[DYEHARD]

I have 15,000 miles and have never had it back to the dealer with a problem. Some people just like to complain. Highly recommend it.