Will it be as good as a Valk?

[Hedgehog]

Well I just had to get a Rocket III -  :uglystupid2:if only because its the biggest engined bike and I love big bikes and big engineering generally (like those fab American Trucks or Trains)... Boys Toys!

Anyway, I'm not expecting this to be as sweet handling as the Valk... but it certainly is impressive to look at... It's got that mad quality that makes you smile when you see it in the garage, and that does remind me of Delores  - AKA my Yellow and Black Rumblebee..

Any of you guys ridden a Rocket III?

Just bought ours and have begun a project page... Videos to follow...


http://bigbikemad.com/triumph-rocket-iii---project-page.html

Selling a V Rod in the UK if anyone interested (no?! Thought so!!).

Ride safe Guys

Hedgehog

[Jack]

I have owned my Valk for 15 yrs and have my second Rocket III.  1st Rocket was totalled by a rear-end collision from a drunk.  Nothing compares to a sweet Valk  but nothing compares to the Rocket either.  Of the two, my fave is the Valk.

[flsix]

Test rode the Rocket III a few year back and was blown away by the torque in that big three. What and awesome bike. Have fun with it.

[Wetrudgeon]

On our second Rocket.  Had an '08 and now an '11 Roadster.  Sold a '99 Valk Standard to get the '08 Rocket.  For us, the Rocket is a better handling and faster bike.  The Valk is a good deal more comfortable; and (as all on this forum will attest) no slouch in the power department.  The Valk has it all on the Triumph in the looks department.  We consider the original Valk to be the most beautiful cruiser ever built.  In our eyes, the Rocket is not pretty at all, but does have a certain massive "presence" about it that is appealing.  Beauty is, of course, in the eye of the beholder.  We enjoy the Rocket but miss the Valk sometimes.  After riding the new 2014 Valk, we have strongly considered trading the Rocket on one; and still may do so.

The Rocket is rough.  Much vibration in the pegs and bars; and much motor heat.  The Valk was no great bargain in the motor heat department.

Both Valk and Rockets have been absolutely reliable for us.  Service interval for the Rocket is 10K miles.  Both eat tires at a rapid pace.

Whether or not the Rocket is a good as the Valk depends entirely upon one's definition of good.

We trudge on.

[Pappy!]

One of our Valk guys down in Florida has one. Definitely lives up to its name!

[Michvalk]

I think the more power, the more likely to break something. JMOP

[Oss]

At the Americade Rally (held beginning of June every year
in Lake George NY) they have vendor rides of bikes about 20 minute rides

I rode the original before they dialed back the hp
and it REALLY accelerated beyond Valk warp speeds

Brakes also impressed me as the course taken is over the meadow thru the woods and then a blast down the quickway (superslab)

HAVE FUN  its a monster, the asymettrical look doesnt wow me but the power sure did

[Lyn-Del]

I have an 05, bought it in 04.  My biggest problem is the heat = I've gotten 2nd degree burns on my legs from the engine heat when in heavy traffic.  So I save it for cooler weather.  Once all the mapping bugs got worked out, she's great!