Triumphrat

davidv-soga · 02-12-2008, 08:04 PM

Hey y'all -

I'm an ol 50+ y/o guy, been wanting a bike for the last 30 years, so I broke down and bought a 2003 Honda VTX 1800 in Aug of 06... new rider, first bike...

Now I've never really wanted a HD, but having grown up as a kid thumbing thorough my share of motorcycle mags with BSA and Triumphs in them, the Triumph Rocket III Touring is my HD... it is what I'd love to purchase as my next bike... sporting the Triumph decals, clothing, whole 9 yards...

But whew, after reading some of the posts on this board with what I'd call major problems... just don't know anymore... granted.. maybe it's just a handful that have had issues (trans, oil pump, etc) but was really expecting more ...

Well, I'll be checking back... maybe the reliability will improve ? I sure hope so... I'm crushed right now... was joking with a friend of mine that has an HD and he knows how badly I would like to have a RIII... I told him I hoped it really handled poorly, lol.... just so I'd not really get a bad case of "got to have it"... may not get to the test ride after the posts here...

Ride Safe

Pig9r · 02-12-2008, 08:36 PM

Better sell the VTX, I just went to a VTX forum and searched VTX problems and trouble. Sounds pretty bad too.

It was a test ride that got me.

tbsrider2000 · 02-12-2008, 08:38 PM

While there have been some major issues, I'm pretty sure most have not experienced these issues. I have a very early model, manufacture date of July 2004. I have covered 29,000 miles on this bike all over the country, as well as a daily rider back and forth to work and I would not hesitate to go out in the morning and head to anywhere.

The only problem I've had was I had to tighten the head stock bearing nut a couple of months ago ( I actually went ahead and removed the front end and greased the bearings while I was there ) and this is something that is supposed to be checked at the 10,000 mile check up or so on most bikes. My closest dealer was 90 miles away though and I'm pretty good at figuring these things out anyway. Oh.. I also had to replace the tail light bulb.

The biggest problem with Triumph is the dealerships. They are few and far between and some of them appear to be not very helpful with customers problems. Fortunately, for me!..

the BMW dealer here just picked up Triumph and they are a bunch of gear heads to begin with, so I'm hoping to get good service. They're still a good hour ride, but it's not a bad ride so that's an excuse to ride up there.

TallRocket · 02-12-2008, 10:26 PM

Speechless absolutely speechless that you would make a purchase decision based on this website. I think Rocket sells were about 10k per year for three years thats 30K Rockets sold. Now divide the number of complaints from this website into that 30K and you tell me how bad this bike is.

txdude35 · 02-12-2008, 10:38 PM

I was a little worried about the issues as well, but I took the plunge and have absolutely no regrets. I LOVE this bike.

Its an awful lot of bike for a brand new rider. Personally, I'd be more concerned about that.

Ugarte · 02-12-2008, 11:20 PM

Don't buy the Rocket if it worries you too much. Its no fun riding a bike you think might go nuclear at any moment. You will be missing out on a great riding experience, but at least you will be safe from Rocket regret.

baggage1 · 02-13-2008, 01:26 AM

That is something I never heard of Ugarte, but it describes what I have to a Tee. Davidv-soga you will never know what Rocket Regret is unless you get on one, then it starts instantly until you sign on the line, so don't even go thru the aggravation like I did. I regret the day I totaled mine cause I can't wait to get the exact same 06' faster red and start all over again in the mileage race.

dougl · 02-13-2008, 12:41 PM

I don't think there's any reason to believe the Rocket is prone to problems. I've had mine since Nov., 2004 and haven't had any.

I would be sure you have a good dealer nearby who knows what he's doing. I trust my dealer completely and wouldn't let anyone else in my town touch it.

davidv-soga · 02-13-2008, 09:07 PM

Hey y'all ... like I said I would like the 2008 R3 Touring like "most" people have their HD and clothing, etc...

I've got it that bad for the bike, the nostalgia, and like i said... when I sat on the bike... well, no other way to describe it.. just felt "right" !

While I've never ridden one, I'll describe what I think it will be like... or the feel of the ride... if you have ever owned, say an old Oldsmobile 98, you know the ones that were 30 feet long, 30 years ago or maybe a nice American big auto, Caddy, etc... that ride compared with a Japanese auto... I think it would be the same comparing a R3 to my Honda... much more of a insulating, softer, not feel every bump in the road...

Granted, would like to have a little more rumble in the exhaust, and a few other extras...

I've been spoiled with my Honda... I mean, whether it's on your lawn mower, pressure washer, generator, motorcycle or auto... Honda makes one of the best engines around as far as durability/reliability, etc.. (knock on wood !!), this combined with the first few posts I read here... kind of sent me reeling.

I'll keep checking the posts here and I'm sure if/when I get closer to really having to decide, may PM some of you guys for info...

Thanks again for the feedback and info...

Take care - oh and for those of you in this part of the country (South GA)...Valdosta... give me a shout if you're in the area...
email: d_vardeman@yahoo.com

RoadVenture · 02-14-2008, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidv-soga

Hey y'all -

I'm an ol 50+ y/o guy, been wanting a bike for the last 30 years, so I broke down and bought a 2003 Honda VTX 1800 in Aug of 06... new rider, first bike...

Now I've never really wanted a HD, but having grown up as a kid thumbing thorough my share of motorcycle mags with BSA and Triumphs in them, the Triumph Rocket III Touring is my HD... it is what I'd love to purchase as my next bike... sporting the Triumph decals, clothing, whole 9 yards...

But whew, after reading some of the posts on this board with what I'd call major problems... just don't know anymore... granted.. maybe it's just a handful that have had issues (trans, oil pump, etc) but was really expecting more ...

Well, I'll be checking back... maybe the reliability will improve ? I sure hope so... I'm crushed right now... was joking with a friend of mine that has an HD and he knows how badly I would like to have a RIII... I told him I hoped it really handled poorly, lol.... just so I'd not really get a bad case of "got to have it"... may not get to the test ride after the posts here...

Ride Safe

If you are going to let the opinions you see here or on any motorcycle forum sway your choice in bikes you will end up NOT buying any motorcycle. EVERY bike has it's issues. NO MOTORCYLE is perfect. Get the bike that "speaks" to you. If that is an RIII Tourer, so be it. Get the bike and be happy.