Who is copying Who?

[bobbyg2470]

This thread is not meant to illicit any anger, just looking to see if anyone else noticed this comparison.

The new Rocket Touring looks similar to the Harley Road King. Triumph took away the dual headlights, which I thought helped make the bike stand out. They have added hard bags, which are nice and roomy.

On the other side Harley introduced the Fat Bob. They have dual head lights and wider tires.

I wonder if the two motorcycle giants were talking when they were planning these bikes.

Not complaing at all, I think both bikes look awesome in their own right. Just making an observation and wanted to see if anyone else noticed.

[krothnbrg]

Hey Bobbyg,
Triumph produced this model specifically to go after the Road King crowd. I took a look at it when I bought my R3 Standard. The new tourer has a smaller tank, narrower back-end, is longer and heavier that the standard. It did indeed go to a single headlight and they removed the tachometer and put the speedo on the tank. WHich is kind of cool but to have sacrificed the tach was a big mistake IMHO. They also used the same engine but has fewer HP and greater torque.

Cool stuff though, the hard bags are really nice and they come standard with the rear crash bars. The windscreen is a quick release type which is a huge bonus in my view.

All in all it's a nice bike but if I wanted a Road King I would have bought a Road King.

Cheers,
Karl

[bobbyg2470]

Karl,
Didnt realize that there were that many changes to the new touring model. When I first saw the Rocket, it was the looks that initially caught my eye and then the specs that sealed the deal.
I guess if you consider the Rocket Touring is a different model and not a replacement for the Rocket classic, the world will still continue to spin.

[KingOfFleece]

The new H-D was designed by a European designer.
The Triumph, in part, was designed after US focus groups gave feedback. One big item was the desire for a single light. The market speaks-plain and simple.

[TallRocket]

If I could redesign the 08 bagger, I would have taken more styling clues from the Honda Valkerie and less from the Glide. Two big headlights shining through the batwing faring with highway lights and Corbine beetle bags (like) with top bag would still make the bike clearly a Triumph Rocket.

Naming the 08 Rocket touring - TOURING - is only a disappointment if Triumph does not take the next step and build the Luxury Touring bike to compete with Tour Glide, GoldWing and BMW LT.

[TRIIICK]

Both bikes have alot to offer IMO.. I had a hard time giving up the RK for the Rocket so i kept them both..lol. The only draw back i see with the Rocket, finding a dealer when you need one. Harley dealers are around every corner and when your touring any distance it's good to know your just a few miles away from help.

[busajack]

Yup their even copying HDs prices.

[baggage1]

HMMM I wonder what Chattanooga sells the Tourer for?? Not my cup of java. To note the bags only carry 15lbs vs much more for the Corbin's and 20lbs for the Leatherlykes

[Bluenose]

All in all it's a nice bike but if I wanted a Road King I would have bought a Road King.

"if I wanted a Road King I would have bought a Road King". Yep, me too. But I didn't. I wanted a Triumph Rocket Touring, so I bought that instead.

Why though? Well, ride a Road King and then ride an R3T, as I did, and that is all the explanation you need. Actually sit the two bikes side by side and then trying anyone with half decent vision that they look similar and you'll look a tad silly.

Yes, they both have hard luggage, and yes, they both have a single headlamp and tank consul and, erm, well that's it really.

It's a bit like sayinmg the QE2 looks like the Lucitania because they have the same number of funnels and are a similar shape (Actually dont know if that's true, but you get the picture).

There was no point in Triumph building another Standard or Classic clone, because they already exist. The full dress tourer is a design in the pipeline - and not what I would want. The R3T sits nicely in between and fulfills a requirement that clearly exists, judging by sales.

Why anyone would buy any HD in preference to a Triumph is beyond me. In terms of engineering, power, performance etc there just is no comparrisson. So to say, 'If I'd wanted a Road King, I'd have bought one' is over simplistic and ignores too many factors.

[GPMAZ]

At first I too was concerned about the 15 lb. limitation. Then I weighed the stuff I stick in the bags. With added tools (ratchet, sockets, allen wrenches etc), airman fuel pump, Stop-n-Go tire kit, and a bunch of other junk, I'm still well below the limit.

If you're packing for a trip and add bulkier things like clothes the weight is even less. My problem isn't with the weight limitation, its more with the placement of the latches to close the lid and the pockets for the tool kit and owners manual. They limit the available space.

I would rate the bags as adequate. I just ordered a Bikers Friend bag to supplement the capacity for anything beyond a few days. I do miss the full set of Jesse bags on my R1200GS. I could carry more stuff than I own in those things.