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I got my new bike yesterday (Saturday) from Freedom Cycle in Reno, NV. This bike is unbelievable compared to it's older brother. I test rode the classic and the handling was OK, but not great by any means. The new one (yeah the one I got now) handles like a dream!! I rode it home through the passes and all the corners I could find. 106 miles home and all I can say is wow!! You can not believe the handling unless you ride one, so get out there and ride one. I took a few pic's and am going to try and post them. Oh yeah, I got a thousand dollars in accessories with the deal at 10% off. I had already ordered them and was going to put them on when I got the bike. Well low and behold when I picked the bike up they had put all the ones on that had arrived... WITH NO CHARGE!

I saw one in PA a few weeks ago and was smitten. I liked in the photos, but on person it is very nice. The finish of the little bits, turn signals, gear change, etc. was very impressive and almost jewelry like. Those bags are great! I like your color combo as well.

I'm going to the same dealer on 3/29 for their demo days to test ride one. I've ridden a Rocket before and want to see how the HP/Torque changes they made feels. I bet that tire combo makes for a good handler, compared to the old steam roller out back.
Keep us posted and congatulations!

Al, you are right, these bikes are so much more impressive seeing them in person as opposed to the photos on the net or even the Triumph site.

Ray
it may have been a bit chilly, but I was all heated up. I didn't feel the cold one bit :-)

I will keep a post going for at least a while. I expect to have it back in the shop early next week for the 500 ... then the intervals are 10,000 miles. No oil .... nothing just 10,000 mile services wow!!!!

The Style Guru's & Tech boffins at Triumph have really got this one right, she's a real beauty from every angle, the perfect balance of paint & chrome, the new tank flows with the design, the color scheme is perfect - the Road King has got a lot of catching up to do.
OOOHHHH that snow looks cold
Hoffo

they are nice, but i still feel it was wrong to detune it. but again its def a touring bike and not ment to be the straight line racer the reg rocket it

Frank

I am just afraid to go to the dealership. Way too afraid I would fall in love with one of these, trade in the TBA and be in debt again. Would choose not to get rid of the TBA as I am in love with mine but I do not know if I could control myself seeing one of these in real life. In other words I am very jealous of you right now. Good on ya' brother. Keep letting us know what you think and more photos.

Jack, if you do any two-up, be sure to give us the passenger's perspective.

I like it too and am considering one but wouldn't part with my Speedmaster for it, it would be in addition to. I like your colors much better than the Triumph website too.I wish they still had that 360 degree view they used to. I was thinking of one for long trips and pulling a small trailer too.

Great bike but it's not for me. With my short inseem I didn't feel safe on it. Sue got on the back and it was all I could do to keep the bike steady.

I agree with lots of you. I am keeping my BA and this is an addition to the "stable". I will be going about 300 miles today with the one I love more than my bikes on the back. I will post what she thinks about the pillion comfort and ride. As for affordable, my Forest Service job keeps my head above water and my tax business gives me my play money The BA is ready for the 30,000 service and after today the Touring will be ready for the 500. I just gots to figure out how to keep one of them on the road seeing we are having such great weather here right now. I do all my own work on the BA, but the Touring I will be taking to the shop at least for a while. Report forthcoming after todays ride, when I have a chance to get back on the site. Oh, the cost. I am pretty upbeat about the "complete" cost also. With everything, bike, accessories, tax, license and insurance (part year payment) it is still under 20,0000. I just can not imagine ANY other bike that would come close to this for less than 26,000 to 30,000 with out the extras and insurance.

Man that is such a nice bike. My dealer has 3 on the floor now. Would love to put one in my garage but going to have to wait awhile. Great choice, enjoy the ride

congrats you "crazy snow on the ground but I'm still ride'n anyway" man.

me likey. can you post some detailed pictures of the saddle bag's innards?

Congratulations Jack! I about had my self convinced to get a Beemer when I get a touring bike. Now with your post and pics I'm swinging the other direction again. Enjoy it. A little snow never hurt anyone. The roads look dry.

Very nice details in those bags. It looks like Triumph learned their lesson with the ST bag debacle. They include some very nice carry bags. Like I said, the details on this bike are a big step up for Triumph.
Now, if my youngest daughter could just find another way to pay for two more years of college....

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congrats you "crazy snow on the ground but I'm still ride'n anyway" man.

me likey. can you post some detailed pictures of the saddle bag's innards?

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I like what they did with the intake manifold, looks a lot better. They should think about adding a matching chrome panel on the other side of the tank to balance the look, but in all it isn't a bad looking bike.

I must have one of these myself. could never part with the speedmaster. the sprint maybe. or just have all three. the more in debt you are when you die the more you got away with for free!

Ed, that is the one thing about the bike I may change at some point in the long term future. But I would go the other way and have the manifold powder coated to match the tank. But then again I am not big on chrome but a little is needed to make the bike pop.

Sunday I took a longer ride with a passenger, about 350 miles. She (the passenger) was really happy with the seat. She never was uncomfortable and said the way it was setup it was like sitting in a living room chair. She had plenty of room and then a little more room (not sure what that meant but I guess it is plenty big enough)

There is not as much leg stretch room as on the BA but I was able to put my feet all the way to the front of the floorboards and even hang them over the front edge. Right now I am getting about 35 mpg, but I am sure that will increase as it gets broken in. The BA got really poor mileage at first and now I get 45-50 mpg.

All in all, a very good ride. I did not get tired; plenty of little roll on and pass in short order. I was behind one car going about 50 mph, rolled the throttle about a 1/4 and was doing near 100 when I got pass the front of his car. The speedo seems to be off about 8% or so showing higher speed than actual. That will take some more time to narrow it down better.

I will have to “OMG” trailer it back to Reno now, I have 520 miles on her and it is 110 back to Reno. Oh well, gotta do what I gotta do.

Several folks have asked about the “payload”. In the user manual it says max 485 lbs, pretty good step up from the BA.

That’s all for now, more to come when I get it back from the 500 service

I'm jealous of both your bike and your location! Those mountains are a thing of beauty, and the bike ain't bad either!

Congrats on the new bike. I went to my dealer to seriously consider the RIIIT & ended up buying a leftover 07 SM. Go figure!

The RIIIT is stunning in person, much more so than in the photos. The lightbar really enhances the look of the front end. You got a great bike & I hope you enjoy it.

Nice looking. I really like the new touring version over the previous models. I'm taking my bike in for service next week and they have one in the showroom. Be my first chance to see it in person. Not ready to give up my America yet. After 3 years, I'm just now getting it the way I want it.

I have hard numbers for the "complete" cost of the bike now.
Bike with accessories ($1,100.00 free with the bike) $18,685.17
Progressive full coverage insurance for 6 months (I pay by the year and this is half way between) $182.00
CA DMV Fees, there where some additional fees that will not be charged each year $186.00
CA Use Tax $1,280

Total for the bike $20,333.17. Not cheap but certainly not what any other comparable (if there is a comparable) bike would have cost me AND it's another Triumph!
I am taking it back to Reno today for the 500 mile service (Dang I have to ride 230 miles today) They said have it here by 1:00 pm, take about 1.5 hrs and I can ride it home (wow that is fast and saves me making two trips!!)

It's going to be messy weather this weekend so I will get most of my BA 30,000 service done. I can't let Bad Blue fell neglected and will ride her for the next week (well maybe both of them but the BA mostly) I think life is good for me right now, two GREAT bikes and a wonderful GF that wants to ride with me... yeah, it's good

pictures of the bags?

Will do Tony.... soon. Just gotta remember my camera LOL

smashes my dreams, don't see myself affording that any time soon.

Thanks Jack!!! LOL

BTW-anyone else think that they should have added a small fairing to the bike? I know they don't want to be too HD but I think it would be a welcomed addition for SOME.

the corbin fairing looks the ball$ on the rocket. expensive but everyone who has done it loves it and says its worth it

Frank

Congrats on the new purchase, Jack. Smart lookin' bike there!

And "smart" being the operative word here, you have a bike that is more powerful, handles better, doesn't drag hard bits on the ground nearly as soon as does the Road King in the twisties, AND costs LESS than that Harley does TOO!

(like I said...SMART!!!)

Triumph or an aftermarket company needs to make a couch wraparound seat ala the Road King/ Ultra Harley setup for the passenger on this bike.

It would then be the ultimate in comfort for the passenger.

Some might not like that look but as an accessory it would be very practical.

My wife looks longingly at Harleys equipped as such...or any cruiser that implements such a seat. (Honda, BMW)

Sounds like Corbin might be interested in making such a seat.

Photo's of bags: (this isn't working well, but will just post it anyway)





The photo's are not coming through ... but maybe later they will

ah yes, it be workin now

Okay, who is going to be the first to nab a set of those saddlebags on ebay and mount them on an America with EasyBrackets? I guess we have to wait until an RIIIT runs into something and gets parted out...

OH BOY!

they seemed to have done a great job on the bags!!!!!!!

that bike would look SICK with a single seat and a rear fender bib.

SHOW OFF YOU BAGGAGE!!!!!

(good for you....good luck with her)

If you like that look you can get bags almost identical to that from Hardstreet.
In kit form even, for about $400!
www.hardstreet.com
And Made in USA to boot.

I saw the RIII Touring bike at the dealer yesterday and was shocked how WIDE the tank was. That is one big bike.

Looks high quality...I just stared at it like you do in a HD shop. Very nice.

I think it's great that Triumph is offering different types/styles of bikes. It's good to have choices.

Jack,

I'm soooo jealous, I went to the open house in Mountainview (CalMoto) last Saturday and rode a all black one. I was totally impressed and am counting the days until I get one. My better part understands I need one but being the reasonable one of the two It will be some time before it happens. The thing I noticed right off with the R III Touring was that it's slow-peed-maneuverability was better than my Speedmaster. Someone said it was too bad they detuned it - I have ridden three models so far and I can not tell the difference - All extremely powerful. It is truly a thing of beauty and extremely fast.
Ride safe cause it sure likes to have its throttle opened up.
I live in Half Moon Bay so if you are ever over this way I'd like to met you up at Alice's Restaurant on 84 and skyline.
Thanks for providing the total cost so I have some negotiating room when it comes time for mine.
All the best,

Gary