Bonneville America Forums Forums General Motorcycle Forums Other Bikes Rocket 3 test drive?

Just wondering if anyone has taken a rocket 3 roadster or touring for a test spin? I am thinking of getting a roadster next year but my wife likes the look of the touring setup. It will be mainly for long distance, single or 2 up. I am planning on keeping my America for a daily driver around town. Any thoughts on slight differences "out of the box"? I do plan to do a few mods on which ever one I get. Mostly I'm not too sure about floor boards vs pegs but I still want hard bags to haul gear in and a quick release windscreen. Any input would be great. Thanks, NR

I've test rode both and now own a tourer.A better choice for touring.As a play thing the Classic, maybe oneday.

Lots of online reviews point to better handling on the touring, since they made some changes to wheel size etc.

As a side note, I have also talked to RIII riders who say it takes a bit to get used to some of the pure torque steering that goes on.

I have riden both Roadster and the Classic and prefer the Roadster for looks and set up but Classic more comfortable and performance great anyway. I like touring so it would be the Tourer of the two for me. Not everyones cut of tea but ABS is an imprortant factor (does the Tourer have ABS now?) if so no question.

In addition to the skinnier back tire, the tourer's motor was retuned. A little down on power.

The Roadster is new this year and they are billing it as a muscle bike not a cruiser. Kind of like a S3 on roids. As such the pegs are moved back to a mid mount position.

They should be quite different bikes. I think if you are going for bags and a windscreen, the tourer is the one. If you don't like the floor boards, you can swap them out. Way cheaper than getting hard bags and a screen.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvjOZV7i3lY

Triumph really wants to bill it as a hooligan. Think they're gonna have trouble with that.

I have both an '03 America that I have been modding since day one and an '08 Rocket III Touring as pictured here.


I purchased both bikes new out of the crate so I have 7-8 years on the America and right at 2 years on the R3T.

I absolutely love both of the bikes and routinely get out on them....the America is more "around town" and the R3T is more of a "get out of town" bike.

My America has been highly customized and tweaked to get the most out of the 790cc engine. Here is a thread to a set of photos I took this past weekend: New Pics

My R3T has been slightly modified. I have removed the snorkel, dropped a K&N filter in, D&D Exhausts, remapped the ECU to fully open the secondaries and take advantage of the increase airflow. I believe that I have upped the BHP back close to the original Rocket III. I have also added some Rivco Risers (brings the bars up and back a bit), a slightly larger windshield blade, engine bar, backrest and rack, light bar, and a few other goodies.

I think I am done (for now) on the R3T with regards to mods...the America will continue to be a work in progress.

I really think that the Rocket III's (non touring) are fantastic bikes, but I really, really like the styling of the Touring model and having the hard bag setup is great. They are large and very easy to use (I can reach back at a stop light and get in and out of them easily).

Happy to offer any thoughts on either of the bikes if you have any specific questions.

Cheers,
Steven

Gotta say I'm pretty much envious Steven!! That's the closest to heaven I've ever seen!

Nick, try dropping a PM to odatbob. He had an 07 TBA and upgraded to a R3T last year. From what I can tell, he's very happy with the Rocket.

Those are both beautiful, nicely modded bikes. Well done!