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Bigdog
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« on: August 21, 2011, 06:18:11 PM » |
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A few threads back someone posted the funny video about the Triumph plant. It has got me thinking more and more about a Rocket lll tourer. I love the big bikes without all the fairings. I was wondering if anyone here has a Rocket lll. Will never go without a Valk, but I'm liking the Rocket 3 tourer....
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This country, with its institutions, belongs to the people who inhabit it. Whenever they shall grow weary of the existing government, they can exercise their constitutional right of amending it or their revolutionary right to dismember it or overthrow it." -- Abraham Lincoln, 4 April 1861
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Tropic traveler
Member
Posts: 3117
Livin' the Valk, er, F6B life in Central Florida.
Silver Springs, Florida
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« Reply #1 on: August 21, 2011, 06:40:36 PM » |
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Used to have a Rocket 3 made into a touring model, bought with the intention of replacing the Valk. That didn't happen. Loved the power {who wouldn't???  } but did not like the ergos or the vibration on longer trips. Always had it in the back of my mind that it would let me down big one day although that did not happen to me. It wil flat-ass outrun & outbrake the Valk hands down, no contest. Handles very close to the same as the Valk. What a total rush to ride! Even gets better fuel mileage than the Valk. All that being said.... I sold it & bought Kim her Valk with the money.  But I do miss it on occasion!   |
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'13 F6B black-the real new Valkyrie Tourer
'13 F6B red for Kim
'97 Valkyrie Tourer r&w, OLDFRT's ride now!
'98 Valkyrie Tourer burgundy & cream traded for Kim's F6B
'05 SS 750 traded for Kim's F6B
'99 Valkyrie black & silver Tourer, traded in on my F6B
'05 Triumph R3 gone but not forgotten!
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Moonshot_1
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« Reply #2 on: August 21, 2011, 06:54:38 PM » |
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Wow. How odd is this?
Last week my wife and I went on an overnight trip, (she just got her "new to her" 750 shadow)
On this trip one of our stops was in a town called Marne, between Des Moines and Omaha. It has the only Triumph Motorcycle dealer in Iowa. At least that I'm aware of. Sat on an 11 Rocket III tourer. Came close to trading the Valk off.
Thought about it and passed. They wanted me to test drive it and I passed since I'm pretty sure I'd probably left with it.
Anyway,
Shoot, the only dealer is 2+ hours away and I hear them Triumphs can be tempermental at times. Plus it would require another "go to work" bike as this thing is a little large to be practical for the daily short jaunt to work.
Of course I could leave for work a couple hours early and get a hundered miles in before work everyday....
They are a good looking bike.
The dealer there had a bunch of vintage bikes. Some with 28k+ price tags.
Real neat place.
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Mike Luken
Cherokee, Ia.
Former Iowa Patriot Guard Ride Captain
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Bigdog
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« Reply #3 on: August 21, 2011, 07:04:10 PM » |
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I think in 09' they went with a different rear wheel size, ( not possitive tho ) Saw a video on Youtube..
There is a great deal on Ebay right now for a new Rocket 3 Tourer for 13,000 It's in NJ.
Just don't know enough about them. There is a dealer 1-1/2 hours away. Want to ride one bad..!!!
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This country, with its institutions, belongs to the people who inhabit it. Whenever they shall grow weary of the existing government, they can exercise their constitutional right of amending it or their revolutionary right to dismember it or overthrow it." -- Abraham Lincoln, 4 April 1861
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Bigdog
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« Reply #4 on: August 21, 2011, 07:07:51 PM » |
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Beautiful pic of two Nice Bikes.....
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This country, with its institutions, belongs to the people who inhabit it. Whenever they shall grow weary of the existing government, they can exercise their constitutional right of amending it or their revolutionary right to dismember it or overthrow it." -- Abraham Lincoln, 4 April 1861
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Tropic traveler
Member
Posts: 3117
Livin' the Valk, er, F6B life in Central Florida.
Silver Springs, Florida
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« Reply #5 on: August 21, 2011, 07:25:31 PM » |
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Triumph makes 2 different models of the Rocket 3. Starting in 2009 they came out with the Touring model which was styled different that the Standard. Single h/lamp, hardbags, smaller rear wheel, & a detune down to a little over 100 HP. I guess they didn't want to shock the HD riders they were after to switch over with the full 140+ HP of the Standard.    My '05 was a Standard with Corbin hardbags, Triumph boards, w/shield, crashbars, & backrest added. I also added D&D exhaust & a retune for even more power. I did add Valkyrie handlebars & an aftermarket seat but it still was not as comfy as the Valkyrie. Anyways, the lost HP is just a tune change away. Spend some time riding one before you get rid of your Valkyrie! I loved my R3 but it aint no Valk.  |
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'13 F6B black-the real new Valkyrie Tourer
'13 F6B red for Kim
'97 Valkyrie Tourer r&w, OLDFRT's ride now!
'98 Valkyrie Tourer burgundy & cream traded for Kim's F6B
'05 SS 750 traded for Kim's F6B
'99 Valkyrie black & silver Tourer, traded in on my F6B
'05 Triumph R3 gone but not forgotten!
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donaldcc
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« Reply #6 on: August 21, 2011, 07:34:14 PM » |
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Hey Art,
Give us your opinion since your son has a Triumph dealership near me here in CA.
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« Last Edit: August 21, 2011, 07:36:24 PM by donaldcc »
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Don
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B
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« Reply #7 on: August 21, 2011, 07:35:35 PM » |
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I think in 09' they went with a different rear wheel size, ( not possitive tho ) Saw a video on Youtube..
There is a great deal on Ebay right now for a new Rocket 3 Tourer for 13,000 It's in NJ.
Just don't know enough about them. There is a dealer 1-1/2 hours away. Want to ride one bad..!!!
The Rocket Roadster still has the big back tire (240/50/16) the Rocket Tourer went to a 180/70/16. Test rode an 05 on Friday. Getting off the Valk and on the Rocket reminded me of the first time on the Valk after riding V-Twins. I haven't started researching it but the dealership claims Triumph is on top for the least warranty claims/repairs; time will tell. I thought the bike handled more nimble than the Valk and felt like a tighter turn radius. Incredible power; I'm IMPRESSED.  |
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"if I ride the morning winds to the farthest oceans, even there your hand will guide me." TLB-Ps.139:9-10
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Steve K (IA)
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« Reply #8 on: August 21, 2011, 08:41:22 PM » |
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Wow. How odd is this?
Last week my wife and I went on an overnight trip, (she just got her "new to her" 750 shadow)
On this trip one of our stops was in a town called Marne, between Des Moines and Omaha. It has the only Triumph Motorcycle dealer in Iowa. At least that I'm aware of. Sat on an 11 Rocket III tourer. Came close to trading the Valk off.
Thought about it and passed. They wanted me to test drive it and I passed since I'm pretty sure I'd probably left with it.
Anyway,
Shoot, the only dealer is 2+ hours away and I hear them Triumphs can be tempermental at times. Plus it would require another "go to work" bike as this thing is a little large to be practical for the daily short jaunt to work.
Of course I could leave for work a couple hours early and get a hundered miles in before work everyday....
They are a good looking bike.
The dealer there had a bunch of vintage bikes. Some with 28k+ price tags.
Real neat place.
Mike, Our August group VRCC ride ended up at Baxter Cycle in Marne Sat. afternoon to check out their BIG open house. Triumph had their truck with all their models for test rides. I passed any test rides as I would probably be trying to figure out how to afford another bike. |
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 States I Have Ridden In |
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art
Member
Posts: 2737
Grants Pass,Or
Grants Pass,Or
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« Reply #9 on: August 21, 2011, 09:01:49 PM » |
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Hi Don ,glad that you had a good ride.Over 5000 miles ,I only did 2500 in 6 days.You beat me but i did a lot of visiting.hot in Bulhead , Az. 110 degrees. Anyway about the R111 I did ride the early model an really liked it for power an handling.I would not trade my valkyrie for any other bike made.I also rode the thunderbird an liked that better.Lots of power an very little vibes an handles good.My son did sell me a bonneyville america a few years ago and I loved it .For it's size it was a very good machine .I was impressed with the power an attention I got while riding it.For my money if I was to get a triumph it would be either the bonny or bird.The rocket was too powerfull .I don't need that an probably would get into trouble with the law..One of these days we will get togeather.Art
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Oss
Member
Posts: 12684
The lower Hudson Valley
Ossining NY Chapter Rep VRCCDS0141
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« Reply #10 on: August 21, 2011, 09:24:33 PM » |
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ride one if you get the chance
she may not be the queen of the prom but she is one fast ride, great brakes
did I say fast acceleration ?
Still in all I am happy with the Valkyrie Interstate after 72000 miles its still the one I would take on any trip 1 or 2 up or pulling the trailer
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If you don't know where your going any road will take you there
George Harrison
When you come to the fork in the road, take it
Yogi Berra (Don't send it to me C.O.D.)
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NITRO
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« Reply #11 on: August 22, 2011, 06:00:57 AM » |
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I know a guy that replaced his Valk with a RIII, then replaced the Rocket with an Interstate a couple of years later. The transmission dropped out while under warranty and the tires would be badly cupped in 4,000 miles. I have always wanted to ride one, but think they are butt-ugly compared to the Valkyrie.
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When in doubt, ride.
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9Ball
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« Reply #12 on: August 22, 2011, 06:12:00 AM » |
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avoid the Rocket at all costs. Mine has been in the shop since May....second time the engine has been pulled in only 2000 miles since new. Triumph will not honor any repairs and the dealer network is not only thin, but decent mechanics (which you will certainly need) are few.
The bike was in the shop for 9 weeks last year and almost 12 so far this year. Bike has a total of 2050 miles since new....
You have been warned....
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VRCC #6897, Joined May, 2000
1999 Standard
2007 Rocket 3
2005 VTX 1300S
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The Anvil
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« Reply #13 on: August 22, 2011, 07:55:32 AM » |
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I know a guy that replaced his Valk with a RIII, then replaced the Rocket with an Interstate a couple of years later. The transmission dropped out while under warranty and the tires would be badly cupped in 4,000 miles. I have always wanted to ride one, but think they are butt-ugly compared to the Valkyrie.
There's a guy I occasionally ride with who's got one. It's pretty freaking cool, but it's not as pretty as the Valkyrie. He's had no mechanical issues that I know of and he's got some mil;es on it but that's only one example. I hadn't heard that they're any more problematic than usual but I don't travel in Rocket circles so... |
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Boxer rebellion, the Holy Child. They all pay their rent.
But none together can testify to the rhythm of a road well bent.
Saddles and zip codes, passports and gates, the Jones' keep.
In August the water is trickling, in April it's furious deep.
1997 Valk Standard, Red and White.
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SANDMAN5
Member
Posts: 2176
Mileage 65875
East TN
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« Reply #14 on: August 22, 2011, 08:18:31 AM » |
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I took a test ride on a Rocket a few years ago. Lots of power,
EXCELLENT brakes, bad ergonomics, vibration. Didn't really get
to test the handling. Would I like to have one? You bet! Would
I trade my Valkyrie for one? Not even if they threw in a lifetime
warranty and free gas!
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"Evolution" is a dying religion being kept alive with tax dollars.  |
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Bigdog
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« Reply #15 on: August 22, 2011, 10:15:23 AM » |
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Don't think I'll ever sell the Valkyrie, I did that once just to buy the Tourer model that I have now...
(Thanks to JimL for finding me a great deal)
Thanks for all the input, hope to meet some of you on a ride sometime......Thx again
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This country, with its institutions, belongs to the people who inhabit it. Whenever they shall grow weary of the existing government, they can exercise their constitutional right of amending it or their revolutionary right to dismember it or overthrow it." -- Abraham Lincoln, 4 April 1861
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Jack B
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« Reply #16 on: August 22, 2011, 06:33:59 PM » |
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A friend of mine has a Rocket lll he also had his transmission go out on him.
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Let’s RIDE
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BIG--T
Member
Posts: 3002
1998 Standard, 2000 Interstate
The Twilight Zone
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« Reply #17 on: August 22, 2011, 06:55:02 PM » |
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They have some serious transmission issues a few years back and dunno about the new ones.  |
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highcountry
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« Reply #18 on: August 22, 2011, 07:22:18 PM » |
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I was considering a RIII as well as a Valk a couple of years ago. I ran across a UK Triumph website and found post after post of problematic RIIIs with similar problems as JR stated above. Many had acceleration surges that Triumph apparently couldn't fix. Their bikes became garage artifacts as Triumph dealers couldn't fix them. That convinced me to be a proud Valk owner and I never looked back. |
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Thunderbolt
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« Reply #19 on: August 23, 2011, 02:51:39 AM » |
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I have on 05 Rocket III, like everyone else said, lots of power, better brakes. Still have the Valk Interstate, each has it's own good points, Valk better for two up and trips.
I put a 225-60/16 Bridgestone car tire on mine after it ate the center out of two $250 Metzeler bike tires. No issues on mine. It's my one up hot rod. I have D&D performance pipes and the full power tune, sounds much better than stock.
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