Valkyrie vs Rocket III

[heavyd]

I have read a number of the old posts on the subject, but all the posts are years old. Now that people have spent more time on the Rockets and the Valkyries have a few more years/miles on them, what are current thoughts on the comparison of the two?

I currently have 2 Valkyries, both 97 Standards. One was my fathers and will never be sold, it is currently set up as a solo bike. The other is set up with a National Cycle windshield and the Honda tourpack so it is pretty close to a Valkyrie tourer. I have been giving some thought to trading the tourer for a Rocket III tourer, most likely one a few years old due to the cost difference. I have spent all summer trying to get the clutch straightened out in the Valkyrie and that left a bad taste in my mouth. I just did a 2 week 4300km trip on it with a passenger and a big load of luggage and the bike handled it without a hitch, but I find I am always listening and worrying. I know that I am over sensitive about anything that might be wrong, but it would be nice to ride and relax without listening and adding to the mental list of maintenance I need to check when I get home.

[Rams]

Interesting......................

There are some things that I worry about, my Valkyrie's reliability is not one of them.

No idea about the Rocket III but, if that makes you happy, I'm happy for ya.   

[hubcapsc]

Look to see the difference between a Rocket III Roadster with Corbin
bags and a windshield, and the Rocket III Tourer...

-Mike

[heavyd]

After more reading I have realized I made a grammatical error. I am thinking about the Rocket Touring, not the shorter lived Tourer.

[Thunderbolt]

If you read all the old posts you probably have already seen some of mine but here goes.  I had a 97 Valkyrie Tourer but when the Rocket III came out I kept looking until I found a slightly used one and bought it.  The 2005 Rocket III will accelerate quickly enough to literally pull a smile on your face and run well over 125 if you want to do so.  Mine was one of the early models so no hard bags.  It would have been perfect for short trips etc. if it had bags.  I sold the Tourer when I got the Rocket III but also had/have a 99 Interstate.  The Interstate is much more suited to longer trips because of storage.  If you want more power get the Rocket III.  If you want better long distance cruising get an Interstate.  My 2005 never had any mechanical troubles but some in that era did so I would go with a much later version.  If I can help answer any more questions PM me.

[Hooter]

I had a new Rocket III Touring in 2012. I ordered it right from Hinkley and got it after I sold my first Valkyrie. I always wanted one so what the hey.. Had the "tors" done which is computer flash and exhaust update. Thing was fast with plenty of torque. Nice over all ride as well. But, as has been the case in the past with Triumph touring bikes and the Rockets in general, the transmission was crap. Jumped outa first gear on occasion.  Has straight cut gears with a simular Valkyrie whine. Took it to the dealer several times. Dealer said it was fine, and it wasn't.  I got rid of the POS and bought another Valkyrie. No regrets doing it either. Would I own another one? No, biggest disappointment ever.

[Jack]

I have a Rocket 3 Classic and a Valkyrie.  The Honda is by far the better bike for the average person.  The injected Rocket does get better mileage and has more power but the Valk rides smoother and is more dependable.  The Rocket weighs more and does not handle as well as the Valk. Neither are good for beginners but the Valk balances easier and is easier to pick up after a drop.  I could go on and on but you get the picture.

[Beardo]

I thought about one recently. V-Twin tourers just dont do anything for me after owning a Valk. After researching some of their problems and maintenance costs, decided against it. Like you, we do cross country trips 2-up, so I finally came to the conclusion if I'm going to be buying a 900 lb bike, it might as well be a Goldwing and be much more comfortable for the wife, have cruise control, more storage. I do like the classic styling of the Rocket III much more than the GW though.

[heavyd]

I'm surprised, not hearing much positive about the Rocket except the obvious power. Having basically started on the Valkyrie, and currently owning 2 Valkyries and a 750 inline 4 Nighthawk, I have no interest in a V-twin or not being able to find my bike in parking lot. Anyone that has left the Valkyrie for something interesting that I should consider? Not interested in a goldwing.

[Beardo]

I'm surprised, not hearing much positive about the Rocket except the obvious power. Having basically started on the Valkyrie, and currently owning 2 Valkyries and a 750 inline 4 Nighthawk, I have no interest in a V-twin or not being able to find my bike in parking lot. Anyone that has left the Valkyrie for something interesting that I should consider? Not interested in a goldwing.

Looking for a non-boring twin 2-up Tourer with a few amenities like cruise, I researched the heck out of ST1300s, FJRs, R1200RTs, Concours, Stratoliners, Rocket IIIs. While I'd solo tour and commute on any of them, in the end it basically came down to passenger comfort for the better half. I wouldn't want to sit on the back of any of them for a cross country trip, so they were out. One of those might be worth considering for you though?

[ZekeValk]

Seems its just harder from some people to accept that one of the best *all-around* bikes was created in 1997 and ended its production run six years later. 

I wasn't interested in a Goldwing either (9 years ago), but two-up...if you're complaints are coming from behind you then you really need to put her on a Goldwing.  I have both.  The Valkyrie is my bike, the Goldwing is hers...I'm just the driver.

[heavyd]

No complaints coming from her, this bike has a mustang seat on it. Plus I do the maintenance and pay for the maintenance. I am fully aware of how awesome the Valkyrie is, and I will still have one even if I get the Rocket or whatever. To get a new bike though, something has to go, I'm at 3 now and I don't think I could hide a fourth in the garage without her noticing.

[Mr Whiskey]

...but it would be nice to ride and relax without listening and adding to the mental list of maintenance I need to check when I get home.

If you want more power get the Rocket III.  If you want better long distance cruising get an Interstate.

and if ya want all 3, dependability, power, and comfort...

(jus' add fuel, tires, & oil)

Hard to beat a flat 6,
course you already know that

[Leathel]

I often ride with a mate on his Rocket III Tourer, The tourer is de tuned compared to the roadster but has more torque .... before he remapped it I had the edge with the larger rev range..... after he had the computer re jigged I can't pass him but was able to be pretty much on his tail on a track day we did.. but he would slow me down on the corners but that is probably more to do with him not quite being up to it in the corners not the bike

I like his bike, he loves it but it would be nice if he got to the speeds he used to ride in the corners on his old M50..... his last bike was a M109 and he dropped it twice so rattled him a little











he has had a couple of minor glitches but nothing serious on this bike..... it is a very nice bike with the screens that is easily removable as is the sissy bar, plenty of luggage space and seams to have more clearance in the corners....well when I had factory shocks anyway

[Leathel]

A few more pics

[98valk]

if u want an 8 second Rocket???

http://carpenterracing.com/RIII_SB_899.htm

[LTD]

Was just at a triumph dealer today they had a 2012 rocket roadster with the carpenter racing edition 219 horsepower measured at the wheel.  I started it up and lets just say this is the motorcycle the super hero THOR would ride quite impressive. They wanted 13999 for the bike it was 4600 for the carpenter addition.