Check out the new Gallery
wicked red 1100
wicked red 1100
by mag10, August 21
Windshield I need to replace
Windshield I need to replace
by philwarner, May 10
first ride
first ride
by NemoJr, April 1
Steve McQueen inspired
Steve McQueen inspired
by Feral, November 28
GaRally22
GaRally22
by chy, September 18
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Page 2 of 2 1 2
Re: Cycle World mag.
bigbill #290734 09/06/2008 4:05 PM
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096
Likes: 2
Fe Butt
Offline
Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096
Likes: 2
Quote:

Quote:

Never implied that. Basically my point was: How much power(horsepower, that is) does one really need, especially in a "touring-type" motorcycle???




Excellent point there Cross-Thread .

In fact, at the end of the article Peter Egan said (well, strongly implied) that if Moto Guzzi had a better dealer network the California Vintage would have been his first choice.

All about how well it suits it's intended purpose.




Yep! Gotta agree wit' cha there, Mr. "Book Reader"!!!

There sure IS somethin' about those Guzzis that endears 'em to us "slighty older folk" who often seem to appreciate the "finer points" of motorcycling, such as compactness and lighter weight, which contribute to the handling aspects of the machines when the road ahead starts makin' those little curly-que patterns...and more than just brute horsepower sometimes, huh?!

(yep...I think you and I, AND Mr.Egan are of about the same age here, aren't we?!)

Last edited by Dwight; 09/06/2008 4:15 PM.

Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
Re: Cycle World mag.
newt #290735 09/06/2008 4:06 PM
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,971
Loquacious
Offline
Loquacious
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,971
I used to wonder why a 2300? One ride on a Rocket in NH made a believer out of me -- what a bike -- 800 lbs of throbbin' gristle.

Not much to say after riding one except Holy S--- !

An added bonus - it sounds almost like a diesel tractor at speed.

(You could probably pull a 30' camper with it too )

Added to my Powerball buy list

Re: Cycle World mag.
Bucky #290736 09/07/2008 9:31 AM
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 261
Adjunct
Offline
Adjunct
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 261
True true Bucky. I rode an R3T last week and am thinking about one instead of waiting a year for a Thunderbird. My fear is that it's too fast - I had to really watch myself on the throttle to hold it at 60. Can't afford any more tickets and don't want to spend the whole ride forcing myself to keep idling off...


2007 America, Phantom Black/Sunset Red Deposit down on 2010 Thunderbird - can't wait for it!
Re: Cycle World mag.
mattfromomaha #290737 09/08/2008 8:58 AM
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 641
Adjunct
Offline
Adjunct
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 641
Interesting to read all the comments about the R-3 tourer..I just returned from Baker City Rally..1200 miles in 4 days..on my new R-3 tourer.torque is essentially awesome and full throttle close to an impossibility on the highway..traveling at 60 and wishing to pass takes 3 seconds or less to 80..took it to 90 once and was stable..average 40 miles on 10% ethanol and wants to cruise at 70-75..ordered out exhaust and remap will increase h/p but wont need it..at 2300 cc,106 h/p,torque at 2000 rpm..whats not to like about the bike???Entirely different from the classic..only shares engine/tranny..complete different frame and set up..manuevers well but think where you park..my registration shows 788 lbs,not the 866 lbs listed in CycleWorld article..will put on scale soon to find out but its heavy and more bike than I need..."Go your own way but go triumphantly"


life is good..I am retired..sold my America in 2008,bought a Rocket and sold that in 3/2013 and now own a new Triumph Bonneville T-100
Re: Cycle World mag.
RKTBOB #290738 09/08/2008 1:24 PM
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825
"Lighten up, Francis."
Offline
"Lighten up, Francis."
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825
Did you do a direct comparison between the Touring and "regular" Rocket III? Or did you just go in and buy the former?

I have this theory about the "detuning" that everyone has been whining about. We've seen a lot of low mileage Rocket IIIs on ebay and such. I think it was not only too much bike for most people, it was downright scary so a lot of people sold them. This whole detuning thing is mostly a marketing gimmick to get people back in the showrooms.


BA.com Caretaker | Friarsride | jb.com
Re: Cycle World mag.
FriarJohn #290739 09/08/2008 2:20 PM
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096
Likes: 2
Fe Butt
Offline
Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096
Likes: 2
Quote:



I have this theory about the "detuning" that everyone has been whining about.




Well, not to "glitch" on ya here John , but..not "everybody" here WAS whining about this issue. Some of us(and more than myself here, ya know) think that the R3T might actually be a better machine overall for it's intended purpose.

But, good on ya here for actually asking Bob here the ol' Packard automobile slogan of, "Ask the man who owns one"!

Quote:



We've seen a lot of low mileage Rocket IIIs on ebay and such. I think it was not only too much bike for most people, it was downright scary so a lot of people sold them. This whole detuning thing is mostly a marketing gimmick to get people back in the showrooms.




Could be, or it could be that they already had a great platform in which to make of the Rocket the motorcycle I feel it is and was intended for all along...a long distance tourer...which could fairly compete in that particular major marketing niche among motorcycles, as there is going be a faster and more powerful motorcycle comin' down the pike every year, which will make it's "measly" H/P and Torque figures "obsolete" by comparison eventually.


Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
Re: Cycle World mag.
Dwight #290740 09/08/2008 3:57 PM
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825
"Lighten up, Francis."
Offline
"Lighten up, Francis."
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825
Could be that they always intended it to be a long distance tourer, but I think Bloor is cagier than that. He wanted to make a statement and he did, both in form and function. Since I gather the original RIII sold decently (not sure what the numbers are but there seems to be a lot of them out there) they took it to the next level, which in this case meant take the power down a level and the features up a level.


BA.com Caretaker | Friarsride | jb.com
Re: Cycle World mag.
FriarJohn #290741 09/08/2008 3:57 PM
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,960
Loquacious
Offline
Loquacious
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,960
Quote:

Did you do a direct comparison between the Touring and "regular" Rocket III? Or did you just go in and buy the former?




Even though I don't own one I have taken out both on test rides and I have to say that I prefer the Tourer over the original model. The frame and forks make for a better ride and in my opinion it also looks a heck of a lot better.


John Like a dog on a car ride with my tongue in the wind
Re: Cycle World mag.
wojo #290742 09/08/2008 6:01 PM
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 641
Adjunct
Offline
Adjunct
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 641
I have riden the classic last year and bought this tourer on the basis that it was designed for my means.The shop will tune it to whatever as they have mapping available..however it has all the power I need,love not h aving to gear down for passing and runs great on 87 octane..a while before it pays for itself(?)but convenient when purchasing fuel.I will let you know the difference when exhaust and k&n are fitted soon...waiting for accessories...the classic will not handle as well in corners and parking lots..places I go.The removable windshield and bags are a plus and work well.I do not regret this purchase and I gaurantee that none of you will regret yours!!


life is good..I am retired..sold my America in 2008,bought a Rocket and sold that in 3/2013 and now own a new Triumph Bonneville T-100
Re: Cycle World mag.
RKTBOB #290743 09/09/2008 1:49 AM
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,821
Bar Shake
Offline
Bar Shake
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,821
Quote:

my registration shows 788 lbs,not the 866 lbs listed in CycleWorld article..




Your reg will show the factory spec, which is "dry" weight; no oil, no coolant, no fuel.
Cycle World gives "wet" weight; oil, coolant, full tank.


Contra todo mal, mezcal; contra todo bien, tambiƩn
Re: Cycle World mag.
bigbill #290744 09/09/2008 8:45 AM
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,626
Loquacious
Offline
Loquacious
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,626
Actually, the dry weight goes even further than that.
Before the first model is even built, they take the individual weight of each part and add it up. It's not exactly lying, but it ain't the whole truth.


Steelheart- '03 Speedmaster Black/Yellow The Hayabusa Killa 16" Shorties/140 mains/Airbox drilled Procom CDI "There is no cure for Celibacy. But we can treat the symptoms."
Re: Cycle World mag.
RKTBOB #290745 09/15/2008 3:44 PM
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 174
Adjunct
Offline
Adjunct
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 174
Odatbob, or whoever knows. Whats the range between gas stations, at highway speeds. I have heard it is the same as the america at around 130 miles.

Larry

Last edited by oilleak; 09/15/2008 4:15 PM.
Re: Cycle World mag.
oilleak #290746 09/15/2008 4:37 PM
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,432
Likes: 1
Worn Saddle
Offline
Worn Saddle
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,432
Likes: 1
Quote:

Odatbob, or whoever knows. Whats the range between gas stations, at highway speeds. I have heard it is the same as the america at around 130 miles.

Larry



If the Cycle World article can be taken as a real world fuel test they reported it at 45mpg. With a 4.9 gal tank that gives it a range of 200+ and out of fuel at 220 mi.


A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort. Herm Albright (1876 - 1944)
Re: Cycle World mag.
oilleak #290747 09/15/2008 7:02 PM
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 641
Adjunct
Offline
Adjunct
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 641
the light comes on at 145-150 miles and tells you that you have 45-50 miles to fuel..if you accelerate on the throttle you can watch the estimate decrease to 40 miles...back off and nurse the throttle and you get new reading of 50-55 miles..maybe 60-70 miles decellerating downhill..Comimg back from Baker City,Oregon and riding with 2 americas,they fueled at 100+miles and took 2.4 or so..I filled up and took 2.5 or 2.6..will have better idea running exhaust and new mapping with increased h/p on next fill-up..going to Cashmere tomorrow and my america used 2.4 gallons for 124 miles..will have true comparison then and will report.


life is good..I am retired..sold my America in 2008,bought a Rocket and sold that in 3/2013 and now own a new Triumph Bonneville T-100
Re: Cycle World mag.
RKTBOB #290748 09/17/2008 11:01 AM
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,195
Likes: 56
Fe Butt
Online Content
Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,195
Likes: 56
Finally got 1 issue of Triumph mag.


I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
Page 2 of 2 1 2

Moderated by  bennybmn, chy, mert 

Link Copied to Clipboard
Rides
2025 Arkansas Rally
by roadworthy - 04/24/2025 7:57 PM
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.4