Bonneville America Forums Forums General Motorcycle Forums Other Bikes Contemplating a Rocket

Local independent dealer has an '05 silver with 11,000 miles for 8600 out the door. KBB is about 10,600. Has backrest and tail rack, TORs, no bags. The only way I could justify it would be to sell my '05 America (Mulberry/Graphite, '08 wheels, Superbars, '08 chrome sprocket cover, short TORs, etc). Wow, had trouble typing the words "sell my America". I had to quit talking bad about the Rockets after a test ride in Birmingham last year. I want the thing badly, even though its not the logical thing to do right now. I need you guys to talk me down. Rocket

i could not resist the urge and purchased an 08 Rocket 3 Touring..now to sell my 07 America..hard to part with and just bought 09 license for my america and insured it for the year..whats wrong with having 2 bikes???Oh yes and I am single!!!

Give your BA a Big Bore Kit.
It'll cost you less and your soul will not burn in, well you know where.

I think Brian has a point. A big bore could give you that slightly "bigger" bike feel and a certain kind of newness. And for only a fraction of the cost. Another thing. Think of the milage. I like them too, but there is a BIG difference between 35 MPH and 42, especially if you ride it a lot, as opposed to the occasional. If I could have two bikes, I would certainly consider the rocket, for the "fun" factor. (And it would be kind of fun to slide up next to a Hardly and comment, "Hey, thats a pretty nice bike for a mid size!") But if I can only have one bike, I'd keep the America, with the potential big bore in it.

It's spring fever...

Go with this one instead - Orion

Dude nobody wants a Rocket III more than me but I ain't getting rid of my America. I'd rather sell my family heirloom: my bone stock 1965 Mustang Fastback, handed down to my by my grandmother (Actually that would pay for a Rocket III quite nicely).

I can wait for the Rocket.

Thanks, all. I've slept on it. Actually, the big bore was next on my things to do list.
Commuting in stop and go traffic, two teenage daughters with their learner's permits needing cars soon, the present state of the economy, owing only one more payment on the America, and deciding to stay married (in that order ) all played in the decision.
Dr PC- 21 years this time. She won't ride. I rode her around the block once, she held on with her face buried. Frankly, I took my pillion pad off and don't ride with beautiful wife or 3 daughters at all. If I go down, I'll get over it. If one of them ended up scarred, rashed or worse, I wouldn't be able to handle it.

I am waiting for a Rocket III also (classic though). I already bought the Tribal Orange kit last year. There is no way I will get rid of my 2002 BA. BTW, I have 4 bikes in the stable and I am married. You don't have to be single to own several bikes. You just have to have a wife who likes bikes too.

Bore all you want! You'll NEVER get close to the 140+ HP, T, or MPH of the Rocket. My local stunt dude is sponsored by Triumph this year, has an 4' x 8' poster of him @ 12 o'clock on the Rocket. He, and every artical I recall reading on the Rocket, stated the handleing was "superior", unlike anything conventional thinking would have you beleive.

As far as the economy goes, you couldn't find a better time to negotiate price, as long as your "buyer" status doesn't turn to "seller" status anytime soon.

Now, You'll NEVER match the aesthetic beauty of the America! (fact!)

Eh, I rode a Rocket and hated it. Yeah, it's got massive torque, but was no pleasure to ride and butt ugly to boot. To each his own.

The trick is, when you're single, all first dates are on a motorcycle.
If she doesn't like bikes, she doesn't get to be a girlfriend, let alone a wife.
To paraphrase St Bernard: "Love Me, Love my Bike."

Just to offer another opinion here..

Last year about this time, I started to see all of the press on the new Rocket III Touring and decided that it would be my next bike. I went back and forth for a couple of months on whether to get the R3T and also whether to part with my '03 America.

I am very happy to say that I did choose to get the R3T and I also kept the America. 9 months later, I am so happy that I chose to keep the America. For one thing, I had a whole lot more money into the America than I would ever see back by selling it. For another, having the R3T allowed me to turn the America into a different bike...I have been chopping and tweaking the America to be a Solo only 60's remeniscent around town bike. The R3T is the get out of town and really ride bike (or around town if I need the space in the bags).

I ride each of them about equally these days.



Good luck on the decision process....

Steven

Rode one and liked the power and ride but not fond of the cosmetics, especially the huge radiator. But yes, to each his own. Got a bud that loves his and another that plans to buy one soon.

they grow on you. my father has one and i did not like it at first but it has since grown on me a lot

Had a Bonnie-loved it-had an America-loved it-got a Rocket 3-you'll NEVER get me off it. Butt ugly-NOT! Unique I say!