Tired of the crying!

[Rocket Mad]

WARNING, VIEWER DISCRETION ADVISED

If you are prone to irrational delusions about Rocket reliability, or criticism of your ride sends you reeling into fits of anger, feelings of “Rocket Regret” or other forms of emotional trauma, please do not read this post. The names of all persons referenced in this post have been deleted in an effort to protect them from public forum beatings. The following excerpt was pulled directly from a post at another Rocket forum back in 07’. It is a response to someone considering the purchase of a Rocket and directly related to the topic of reliability.

“I didn't want to start a range war on the site, but felt I couldn't not say anything about Rocket reliability if you're really considering one. These are fun, unique, motorcycles, but their reliability should be a consideration IMO. In an age where Victory and Buell claiim a warranty return rate of 1%, 50% of site members have had at least one warranty claim, 25% have had 3 or more. And many of these are not little nit picky things, but major mechanical failures. An old poll showed 14% had output bearing failures, and more have failed since. ****name**** gave up on his Rocket when the transmission needed rebuilt the second time.
As far as Triumph going broke on warranty claims, I'll bet the Rocket is a serious financial drain. At least 2 site members had their entire bikes replaced. When ****name****'s replacement '06 started having 2nd gear issues at 10K, he sold it and bought an ST1300. ****name**** on the .net site had his replaced, and I know my dealer Lemon Lawed at least one. It has not been cheap.
On not selling the bikes after 4 years - They've already lowered the price once, every dealer sells for under MSRP, and most have left over '06s with the '08s due out soon. Factory to dealer incentives of up to $3000 have supposedly been offered to clear out the warehouses. I tried trading mine off this spring. The Buell dealer (I want a dual sport) offered $7000 (wholesale is $8300) and that was only after giving them 2 weeks to make me any kind of offer. The Triumph/Victory dealer didn't want it at any price because they couldn't sell the ones they had. They've since gone out of business.
I know this sounds negative, but I felt you ought to know. So IMO if you're going to buy used, go by individual bike's reputation as there are good ones out there. If buying new, I personally would only buy an '07 with the latest build date I could find.”

Hugs, kisses & Coombaya … Rocket Mad

[Pig9r]

Ok, this guy wants to go from an unreliable Rocket to a BUELL???? Come on.

I know this sounds negative, but I felt you ought to know. So IMO if you're going to buy used, go by individual bike's reputation as there are good ones out there. If buying new, I personally would only buy an '07 with the latest build date I could find

I have tooted Triumph's horn on several occasions and I have to agree this is a very good recommendation.

I don't agree with his numbers though. According to the idle recall notice last November, 4696 Rockets have made it to US shores. So it is safe to say that maybe 10% of U.S. Rocket owners participate in online forums. Of those 10% how many search them out and post just because they have issues?? So it is possible/likely that the percentage of owners reporting problems in internet forums might be higher than those actually having problems.

Once again trying to look at the sunnyside....Triumph has been producing the Rocket for about 4 years, probably less than 10,000 units total worldwide. (Jack, Suzuki sold more than 10,000 busas in 2006 alone and they have been making them now for 10 years). Triumph never has and no one else has engineered a 2300 cc inline three, so it is surprising that there are some problems? One other positive note, all of the persistant problems seem to be upgraded by Triumph as production goes along....lower timing cam chain tensioner updated, clutch updated, tranny gears tempered, 5 or 6 ECU software upgrades, output shaft bearing either installed the correct direction and updated...what else am I missing...

It really is like any other investment, if the risk is worth the return then it was an equitable investment.

[dazco]

Of those 10% how many search them out and post just because they have issues??

This is the kind of argument that ignores what i keep saying, which is this. You are looking at number of issues with the R3 and citing this and that about how many owners, how many online, etc etc. my point is exactly your point.it's certainly NOT an indicator in any way shape or form. You're dead right about that. But what you and others keep ignoring is what i have said several times....how about the rocket's number of issues COMPARED TO OR RELATIVE TO another bike like the twins for example. I keep getting bashed for saying certain things over and over, but i only do because they are ignored and no one had yet debated what i said. Answer me and i'll stop saying it ! It's the only logical way to look at the issue and see whether the R3 IS challenged as is suggested by some as reliability goes. If out of 10 R3 owners online, 3 post about serious issues and 2 twin owners out of 1000 twin owners online post about a serious issue, how do you rationalize that as inconsequential to the argument?

It is the relative difference between models that CAN AND DOES give you a idea of how problematic or not a bike is. But not one person has addressed that and everyone looks at it from other points of view that are indeed exactly what they say they are...useless in determining the crux of this debate. Somebody tell me why there are about 2 serious issues i've seen in the online twin owners community while i have seen dozens by online rocket community which is probably at least 50 times larger? And as to the notion that people who post online do so to post about their problems and this is why we see so many R3 issues, that argument goes right out the window when you do as i suggest and look at things in relitive terms........where are those dozens of disgruntled twin owners?!!! I've seen 2, count em. If you think thats an exaggeration do a search on the twins forum. You'll find a ton of issues, but all but a couple will be about as serious as a hangnail.

[busajack]

One other positive note, all of the persistant problems seem to be upgraded by Triumph as production goes along....lower timing cam chain tensioner updated, clutch updated......Then why are 07s spliting cam chain sprokets and output shaft bearings. Thats my only gripe,they don't seem to fix problems after they find them. you say they update each year,If thats true then they are admiting problems with the early ones and all I want is to hear them say there are problems and when mine comes appart to pay for it to be updated without getting their attorneys to step on me..Thats all. When I get my inheritance TAHA I will take them to court. Mabey by then sombody will have gotten hurt and their Attorneys will really have something to do. BJC

[busajack]

Jack, Suzuki sold more than 10,000 busas in 2006 alone and they have been making them now for 10 years). Triumph never has and no one else has engineered a 2300 cc inline >>>>>>>They have been making the ZX14 for less time than the rocket and almost no problems.And they have more kids trashing them than Rockets. What your saying is the japs can make a lot more bikes better. Piggy your just one of the kids that have learned to accept less for more. Love ya BJC.. My Grand mother was from the UK. I know so what..

[Pig9r]

Jack, did/does Suzuki have any problems with the M109?.....

[bkrbil]

Originally Posted by Pig9r

Jack, did/does Suzuki have any problems with the M109?.....

Take a look at this thread on the M109 Riders Board. It's the same on every board with every bike.

http://www.m109riders.com/forum/inde...c,11515.0.html

[Ugarte]

Originally Posted by bkrbil

Take a look at this thread on the M109 Riders Board. It's the same on every board with every bike.

http://www.m109riders.com/forum/inde...c,11515.0.html

Yup, it goes on and on and on throughout the biker net boards............

"your bike sucks and I am here to make sure you know that and that you regret buying it....Cheers!" "Oh, and BTW, my "insert bike name here" is better than your sucky bike for these reasons, blah blah blah........."

[busajack]

Originally Posted by Pig9r

Jack, did/does Suzuki have any problems with the M109?.....

Iam a member of two 109 boards. And of course they have problems,but percentage wise much fewer major problems..Iam the one who posted the rearend cracks on the 109 here the day you were off Piggy. Piggy what is your reason for such brand loyality. Are you British or just to young to have much experience with other bikes. Tell me your happy with the back lash in your drive train.(Absolutly none in the C-14) ,Slop in your levers,tractor trans,clutch that cant take 25 extra HP. antique ECU, tune boy cant crack the Mitsubishi ECU in the 14 or any others ETC. You know I never noted all the little things till I brought home a piece of Jap. perfection. Have you heard the rumor that Tune boy don't work on the new tourer. God forbid..BJC

[busajack]

Its my party and I'll cry if I want to. (leslie Gore) You won;t remember it Piggy.