Rocket III ride impression

[shafty]

I had been hankering for a ride on a Rocket III for ages, had enthusiastically read all the tests of the various versions, was positively in awe of the tales of torque and this being the first bike I'd heard being described in terms of G force, so a sunny day coinciding with a visit back to Tauranga, and I thought why not?

Lindsay from Bayride was more than happy to wheel out a demo red Rocket with matching mini screen. After hopping off the Pan Euro, I knew it was going to be different, and had sat on one before. While low for such a huge bike, it wasn't "way low" if you know what I mean - way higher than the FJ12 for example.

The first (and lasting) impression is how wide apart the bars are - close on a metre I reckon - 900mm at least!! Couple that with the feet forward seating position, and "it's different".

Anyway, into traffic was no problem, quite tractable and well behaved, - time to look at the instruments again at the traffic lights - nice and clear, then on to the expressway....

Plenty of road presence and smoooth, it has got the most beautiful exhaust note - reminiscent of the early Tridents, and plenty loud enough for standard!

I took in a mixture of suburbia and highway, doing a loop. After pulling away from a stop sign, I thought, shit that felt nice, so stopped and did it again. Talk about a catapult, all stress free, smooth and beautifully thrust forward, WOW. Sitting at 100 km/hour, the big triple ticks along at 2300 rpm (coincidence?), - just above idle!

Passing cars does NOT require anything 'cept a right hand twitch.

Thinking "I'd hate to try and push this thing empty" I look for a gas gauge - none. (Low fuel light only). Later I look for a clock to check my time away from the shop - none. Hmmm. Six grand more than the ST1300 and a lot missing. ABS, luggage, instruments, electric screen..... Now I know what you may be thinking - that the 2 bikes are hardly comparable, and you're right. This is just MY ride impression OK, and I'd be the first to say, ISN'T IT GREAT THAT WE'RE ALL DIFFERENT.

The back seemed to be a bit firm, hence bouncy on the bumps, but I later learn't that it IS adjustable, and the shop have it set up for couples test riding together, - fair enough.

I enjoy my cruise back to the shop. I had a choice, but deliberately took the option of a "U" turn type manoevre around a traffic island, and yes - that was quite easy - very impressive given the size of the beast, and on my first ride.

I enjoyed my ride - and especially the exhaust note.

Nice bike, - certainly not for me, unless Lotto comes up (Now I can't keep a big win a secret huh?!), but you have to admire it.

After gratefully handing the Rocket back and slipping back on to the ST like a nicely fitting soft leather glove, I felt glad to have experienced the massive Triumph. I had gotten it out of my system without falling head over heels in love.
Phew.

[Big Dave]

I do my nuts daily.

I don't like fuel gauges or windscreens anyway. The trip meter is more accurate than a gauge on just about every bike I've tested.

Did they tell you you get luggage in the $5,000 worth of free extras currently offered on a Rocket III.

Links are on my blog

[martybabe]

Good read Shafty. Nearly put my money on one once but it wasn't for me either, sure did get some attention though. I hated the gear box but BD says they get better with age...maybe or the one I rode was a grommet missing in the box.

Impressive bike and it comes with a shed load of bragging rights just didn't float my particular boat.

[Big Dave]

Some of them are klunkier than others. They are really big dogs (literally).

You also get the shizzle of it after a while. Match revs better - it's always less than you think too. 1,100rpm is 50kph-ish

The 09 I have is the also best of them so far. On par with the last Harleys I legged.

[YellowDog]

I declined a test ride on a Rocket III. I was scared that I might like it. Also, I didn't think it would be a good urban commuter.

[Big Dave]

Yeah, a bit wide with the bags on.
The bike is quite happy at low speed. Just not good splitting width.

I tend to forgive its shortcomings when I wind on the throttle or sit on it for a long time.

You'd buy this vehicle if you are a big unit for comfort, or otherwise, torque and off the line acceleration are your pleasure.

The other aspects - brakes, handling, ride comfort are all very good for a 300Kg plus cruiser styled club member.

High tech doohickeys it isn't. It's more Speed Triple OD'ed on HGH.

[Devil]

I'm a big rocket III fan. Love it.
Yeah the gear boxes can be a little clunky, but meh. It's the engine and thrust that sells it for me!... and the look, ... and the exhaust note and the seating... and the ground clearance...

[idb]

I love them!!
Ugly as sin but they feel like a real bike (clunks, whirrs, whines...) and they are absolutely mad - I haven't laughed so much for years.

[laRIKin]

I rode one from Bealey Pub to Springfield (though the hills) once and loved it.
I want one.
They are so ugly that you have the like them, as they are so different from every thing else.

A clock and heated grips is all I would add, apart from some way to keep the luggage on.

When I hoped back on my Sprint, what a let down.
Where had all of the bike go.

[sels1]

Yeah the gear boxes can be a little clunky, but meh.

And you barely need to change gear on them anyway!

I loved the couple I have ridden, and wouldnt mind owning one at some stage.

[Big Dave]

I enjoy casting a gaze upon it.
It's unusual, weird, unconventional, but not ugly.

[idb]

Naaah...it's ugly!!!!

[Big Dave]

Naaah...it's ugly!!!!

no way jose - posted a pic to prove it - something that big, shiny, black and chromes is beautiful - regardless of how little like a darmah it be.

[AD345]

What, exactly, is the point of a clock on a motorcycle?

[AllanB]

They are so ugly that you have the like them

Ha - good one. As one is prone to doing often I made up my mind without riding one - the bloody things weigh 4 x what I do - this is enough to make me question it.
Plus they are fugly - the headers really piss me off - they remind me of a tractor.

Then I started to notice a few modded ones about - pipes etc. Hmmm I think they look better.
Look at the spunky set of pipes by Cycle Works in Welly on this one. Hmmmmm so much better, and they sound 'special' (not in a retarded way) with a pipe.