Triumph or HD?

[mountainboy65]

Would love to hear your views on Rocket III over someting like Fat Boy or Road King. Am looking to treat myself to a big fat powerful cruiser end of this year and want some friendly advice on what to consider. Thanks.

[SilverGrin]

5 pages.

Test ride both and decide.
I did and chose Harley.

[Robbo]

Three nice choices mountainboy. Have you also considered the new Triumph Thunderbird cruiser? 1600cc paralell twin and around 100hp. Looks quite like the Fatboy.

[ratusratus]

and i still dont no hahaha!!!:2guns:

[doc]

A new Fatboy. :sunny:

[laRIKin]

I still have a love hate thing with the Rocket.
SOOO big so much power and so over kill.

One day, maybe, when I'm ready for a Cruiser and I have the extra coin for one.

[Rob Taylor]

Thats a hard choice to make.Go ride both bikes.They are completly differant kettles of fish.The Rocket 3 has power to burn but the Harley has Class..... The road king is the best handler of the big Harley FL Cruisers,the softtails tend to drag these asses,I have a heritage ,which i love, but it does bottom out a bit to much ........GO ride them and enjoy

[Big Dave]

Classy dudes have one from each manufacturer. :apint:

[Mr Triple]

I don't know about the Rocket, if I was going to look at a cruiser I do like the look of the new 1600 when it gets out.:cool:

[paulmac]

have to be HD mate !!

[sels1]

I'll try to be unbiased and say ride them both and see what one suits you best.

Although if you are not in a hurry, the new Thunderbird does look interesting....

[Mr Triple]

I'll try to be unbiased and say ride them both and see what one suits you best.

Although if you are not in a hurry, the new Thunderbird does look interesting....


Hi Sels... Yes the Thunderbird does look good, but your right try them both and some:niceone:

[sels1]

Hi Sels... Yes the Thunderbird does look good, but your right try them both and some:niceone:
Ive done a couple of tests on a Rocket, and they are an amazing machine, couldnt believe how easy it was to flick 'em round a tight road considering the size-its a big beastie. The Bonneville and Speedmaster/America are a lot of fun to ride...but a little under powered. The new Thunderbird should fit nicely in the middle.

But to answer the original question....I'd buy the Rocket!

[popelli]

Have been riding harleys for over 20 years

For my money I'd buy the Triumph the simple answer being more power and better engineering

[mountainboy65]

lads! I really appreciate the comments. When this damn rain stops, of course I will get out and test ride. I can't wait. Feel free to add more info if anyone has a mind to. I always like to hear from people with more experience and expertise. Cheers, Ed.

[crusa]

Which everone suits your riding style and puts a smile on your face every time you look at it.

[Jerry74]

Triumph more a gentlemans bike.

Harley pure power.

[shafty]

Two words:

SHAFT DRIVE........but then I would say that, Shafty

[YellowDog]

Some interesting comments, especially the one about engineering quality. When I was in 'I must have a cruiser' mode, I looked at many but not Triumph. I liked the HD build quality very much, but couldn't justify the extra cost. HD's considerable experience in this sector was highly evident. I guess things change and I am highly aware that Triumph have been pushing hard at this lucrative sector.

I still stand by my life long rule "Never buy a Mk 1 vehicle".

[Scouse]

Triumph more a gentlemans bike.

Harley pure power.Have you rode a Rocket 3? cos your comment makes you sound like you dont know shit

[laRIKin]

Triumph more a gentlemans bike.

Harley pure power.


Have you rode a Rocket 3? cos your comment makes you sound like you dont know shit

I would have to agree.

Street and Sport now have a demo Rocket.
Not sure if I'm ready to just cruise yet?
I'm sure looking forward to a test ride tho. :drool:
I have ridden a few HD's so it is going to be good, to compare the two.

[Jerry74]

Have you rode a Rocket 3? cos your comment makes you sound like you dont know shit

Thats not very nice.... Triumph has always been a gents bike, I was refering to the quality, history and image of the Triumph Motor Company.

Plus being a British bike gives it more class.

Not the tattooed fraternity that give Harley a bad name...

SO THERE !!!!!

[Owl]

I'm not a fan of the Rocket 3 looks, but it screams " Get out of my fucken way, or I'll eat you up and spit you out with my big fat tyre".:yes:

[avgas]

Plus being a British bike gives it more class.!
haha OMFG you know shit.
is that class that leaks all over the driveway.
I never knew that enfield, morris and leyland had such class.

[nallac]

Class doesn't always = reliablity
you'd never buy a Aston martin(shit loads of class) and think its gonna
be as reliable as a Toyota.

[Toaster]

I saw the new Rocket Tourer at Holeshot..... huge beast! Retro colours.

[Toaster]

I'm not a fan of the Rocket 3 looks, but it screams " Get out of my fucken way, or I'll eat you up and spit you out with my big fat tyre".:yes:

Quite a menacing sight in the mirrors too. Had one following me on a cruiser ride once - looked good and handled well.

[Toaster]

Triumph more a gentlemans bike.

Harley pure power.

Considering the Rocket and M109R beat most Harleys on power, I am not so convinced of that statement.

I compared my M109R's dyno HP and torque figures (pre mods) to Harleys tested and it left them for dead.

[Jerry74]

Ok then no offence lol.....

PS Harleys are still gas guzzling pieces of shit hahahahahaha

Take the Triumph mate

[sinned]

HOG have lots of organised events that get great turnouts. If you want to ride with others and socialise then HD is the choice. There is a lot of truth in the Triumph promotional statement "go your own way".

[Robbo]

HOG have lots of organised events that get great turnouts. If you want to ride with others and socialise then HD is the choice. There is a lot of truth in the Triumph promotional statement "go your own way".

I take it that you don't have RAT or TOMCC down your way then? Have enjoyed many social events and rides with both these groups over the years.

[mountainboy65]

I have hols coming up in 3 weeks and I am going to take your advice and ride both, if not all 3, bikes. And I will make sure I have a hell of a lot of fun in the process! Ed :innocent:

[laRIKin]

HOG have lots of organised events that get great turnouts. If you want to ride with others and socialise then HD is the choice. There is a lot of truth in the Triumph promotional statement "go your own way".

Well as said there is RAT and TOMCC.
Here is a link so you can contact your local chapter.
We have monthly day rides and monthly drinky's at a pub and a few other things, over nighters to go to as well as RAT raids around the country that you can go to.

http://www.tomcc.co.nz/

[86GSXR]

Have you seen this? Brilliant.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKEuzxC4eGc

[mountainboy65]

I won't be doing that on it!

[laRIKin]

Have you seen this? Brilliant.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKEuzxC4eGc

I have and it has been really well done.
Great to watch it again.:laugh:

[Griffin]

I still stand by my life long rule "Never buy a Mk 1 vehicle".

The only Cortina worth owning is the Mk1... I think the truth in your statement would be - never buy the first of anything. Let the bugs get ironed out by the first wave of guinea pig owners.

As for which bike - Ive never ridden a Triumph so cant judge, but I personally have always wanted to own a HD Heritage Softail Classic. That is (to me) the penultimate Cruiser. :first:

[laRIKin]

I got to ride a Rocket today back from the Bealey Pub to Springfield though the hills with grit on the road.

Yes they are big, but not as big as you would think when riding it.

They do handle very well for such a big bike and have some mumbo to burn.
You just have to remember, slow in and faster out of corners. (if unsure)
I did not get passed and the guys behind me said I was setting a good pace.

In a word, well a few.

I would buy one over a HD now, every time.
So I may have to put some money into the piggy bank and in a year or two, who knows.

Nothing about the bike put me off it and would leave it stock-ish.
Well some heated hand grips would have been nice as I had on light race gloves on and it was cool in the hills at times today.
And a pack/pannier rack would be nice and a pillion of one of the other test riders wanted a grab rail to hang on to.

Well, I would like to firm up the rear shocks a bit more. (not sure if there is any adjustment there :edit there is)