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View Full Version : Rode a Triumph Rocket today....



Dooly
18th March 2008, 09:30
Mate called in, had just been around the Sth Island, on his way home to Gisborne.
I only tend to see him every year or so, and each time he has a different bike.
Turned up on a Rocket with loud pipes on.
'Take it for a ride, give it heaps', he says....

Was a bit aprehensive, fuckin thing was enormous. He's 6ft 5 and 130 kilos, I'm 5ft 7 and 77. No probs for him to throw a beast like that around.

Took it for a blast, man what torque and pickup it has.
Felt my arms stretch hard with the wide bars on it.
Very impressive.
I was only in shorts and shirt and helmet so was'nt keen to get into that hard.
I found it weird to corner, but hey, I'm a sports bike guy, have'nt ridden a cruiser for years.

Did I like it?
Hell yeah!
Would I own one, no.
The damn thing intimidated me, not by its power, just its huge prescene. I felt very awkward at stop and low speed.
But then again, I hardly rode it and as usual with bikes, you get used to them after a while, so I guess it would not be a problem after a short while.

Interesting package and I'm glad I got to ride one after reading all about them.
Made today just a little bit better.

NZsarge
18th March 2008, 10:00
Cool, not my cup'o'tea either but interesting none the less.

yod
18th March 2008, 10:04
shite, they're a beast alright

pretty funky but not my cuppa either

honestly, who needs 140 cubes in a bike??? :laugh: crazy

MIXONE
18th March 2008, 10:15
A mate had a loaner for a few days and at first was just like you.Totally intimidated.By the 2nd day he was in love and didn't want to give it back.However I'm about your size and riding it a low speeds would freak me out for sure.Not a good look lying under 300+kg of britian's finest.

Devil
18th March 2008, 11:38
I had a ball on the Rocket. It doesn't take long to get used to the weight. The rush is just addictive!

Dooly
18th March 2008, 11:44
It had an uncanny sound, especially when backfiring on run down.
The forward controls did'nt suit my short legs, but at least I could get both feet on the ground, just. Can't do that on my sprotsbikes.

jrandom
18th March 2008, 11:44
Y'know what?

I'm picking up Betty from her 12,000km service at Holeshot later this arvo. I'm going to organise a test ride on a Rocket when I do.

:yes:

Devil
18th March 2008, 11:47
Y'know what?

I'm picking up Betty from her 12,000km service at Holeshot later this arvo. I'm going to organise a test ride on a Rocket when I do.

:yes:

Do eeeet. There's a demo there at the moment.
Just remember to be pointing where you want to be going in the first two gears when you pull the trigger ;)
Oh and take care with giving it shit through the first 3 gears over a bumpy surface. I had a bit of a poo moment on the Tristram onramp heading south on all the bumps. The torque overcomes the suspension and it almost turns into a hardtail wanting to launch you off everything.

jrandom
18th March 2008, 11:50
I had a bit of a poo moment on the Tristram onramp heading south on all the bumps. The torque overcomes the suspension and it almost turns into a hardtail wanting to launch you off everything.

I canardly wait.

Want to skive off work and come for a northwest loop with me on it?

Dooly
18th March 2008, 11:56
Do eeeet. There's a demo there at the moment.
Just remember to be pointing where you want to be going in the first two gears when you pull the trigger ;)
Oh and take care with giving it shit through the first 3 gears over a bumpy surface. I had a bit of a poo moment on the Tristram onramp heading south on all the bumps. The torque overcomes the suspension and it almost turns into a hardtail wanting to launch you off everything.

My mate said it slides around quite bad when under gas on bumpy roads or a hint of loose metal.
But he thought was cool.:niceone:

Devil
18th March 2008, 12:01
I canardly wait.

Want to skive off work and come for a northwest loop with me on it?

Wouldn't be able to get there till 4:30. Take it over night ;) They're cool with that (usually). Cant do too much skiiving cos i'm using all that time for job interviews at the moment. :(

Toaster
18th March 2008, 12:07
Beaut day to be out riding, especially on a cruiser!

Toaster
18th March 2008, 12:07
The Rocket is a very nice bike, but a tad expensive and a little retro.

marioc
19th March 2008, 07:03
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKEuzxC4eGc


I assume you guys have seen this,classic

heyjoe
19th March 2008, 07:43
Went for a ride in the Canterbury area yesterday. And yeah it was a fantastic day to be out there. So warm.

Riding a Rocket III would not be like riding a horse but more like riding an elephant?

Devil
19th March 2008, 08:58
Riding a Rocket III would not be like riding a horse but more like riding an elephant?

Well it's certainly no pig.

YellowDog
19th March 2008, 15:40
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKEuzxC4eGc


I assume you guys have seen this,classic
Hadn't seen it. Very good!

P38
19th March 2008, 16:12
Yep Rocket III is a nice ride alright.

But Im waiting for a test on one of these babies.

http://www.motorsportssuperstore.com/new_vehicle_detail.asp?sid=05872919X2K4K2008J3I03I 50JPMQ808R0&veh=54893&pov=669086

Almost as grunty as a Rocket III but with a lot more comfort.

woodboats
19th March 2008, 17:05
Marioc,
Next time I spit my coffee all over the key board I am sending you the bill!
Damm, that was funny.

Toaster
19th March 2008, 17:12
Yep that C109RT looks kinda nice too.

I prefer the more aggressive M class though.