Bonneville America Forums Forums General Motorcycle Forums Other Bikes Talked to a Rocket III owner

On sunday I went for a long ride with the misses up to the lakes region of NH. We pulled in to Weirs beach and I saw a guy on a Rocket III sitting there and he waived me over. I pulled the America in and we started to chat. He told me that he had a Speedy for 3 years and then decided to by the Rocket III. He was telling me that the RIII is great on the highway but he doesn't like the handling or the weight. He wishes he still had the Speedmaster for 90% of the riding he does. He says the RIII is very tough to backup. He's thinking of trading it in for a T-Bird or another Speedy.
Kind of interesting first hand comparison.

Interesting, most guys wouldn't admit that after buying one.

2 years ago I test rode an R3 and hated it. Sure, it has loads of torque but was very unpleasant except in a straight line. And it has ugly in spades. At the time I couldn't wait to get back on my Speedmaster.

Well actually, I've ridden a RIII a couple of times and thought it was amazingly agile for it bein' such a behemoth of a motorcycle.

And so, I wonder what this guy was thinkin' at the time he traded his Speedy in for it???

(I mean, you'd think a guy would "kind'a" realize that another bike which weighs, what, another couple hundred pounds or so MORE, would "kind'a" end up bein' "a little more to handle", wouldn't ya???!!!)

I think it's the macho appeal of displacement that attracts most guys. I know it's alluring to me to have the that kind of torque at your beckin call but I think you give up to many other attributes for that raw power. The America and Speedy have a great blend of the attributes that makes riding them a pleasure. The great looks, good handling, decent power, and reliability put them above most cruisers. Until you ride other bikes it's easy to lose sight of how well they stack up against other bikes. Everytime I try another bike I can't believe how well my America performs in comparison. I've test ridden an RIII and I thought it did handle pretty well but it was a short test ride and it's hard to tell with out really going on a long twisty road.

he musta been a girly man.

I had a brand new Honda CB1300. Sold it... too heavy, too big and bit of a handful for low speed manourvering.

Bought the America... love it to bits. It's perfect as far as i'm concerned. Every ride is a pleasure. Went for a ride out a week or so back, three fuel stops latter arrived back home to find wife had gone for a meal so jumped back on and went to meet her at the pub (another 17 miles). Theres no way i would have been able to do that on the CB.

The America averaged 55.6 MPG too !!! so i even had some dosh left in my pocket to buy her a drink ;-)

I would think a T-bird triple, standard or sport, would
be a better alternative to our bikes.
Of course I'd prefer to have both.

I think I would only want the Rocket III if most of my miles were spent on the interstate doing long-distance touring. Otherwise, I'd hate to deal with all that weight for around-town commuting, etc. I will say that the CG seems to be well thought out (just my impression after sitting on one).

I haven't read an artical YET that didn't praise the R111's maneuverability and low CG.
Even got the same story from an HEI stunt rider, who had a pic of him on it, doing a 12 oclock on it, on the wall at the HEI store here in Orlando.
I'd like to give it a try!

I don't understand anyone that says that the Rocket is heavy and hard to maneuver. I have sat on them a couple dozen times and am still amazed at how light they feel because of the low center of gravity. I think you can stand it up off of the kickstand easier than our bikes. I also took one for a 10-12 mile ride thru twisties and low speed maneuver areas with no problems at all. Again I was amazed at how well it handled the twisties and low speed maneuver areas with ease. I would love to have one in my stable and if I had a chance at one of the Stellan Egeland Rocket III's, it would definitely find its way into my garage!!

Can't understand his issues with weight and handling either.
First time I lifted a Rocket off the side stand I was surprised how it didn't feel much heavier than my America.

My R3 handles great. I still have 1/2" of tread at the edges of the tyres that I haven't used yet though
I was happy to get back on it after that POS Electra Glide I rented ....

the rocket handles just fine, my old man can stay right on me in the twisties with his

I had 12000 miles in one season on my 07 America and sold it for a Rocket. The bike is great. Ugly? Maybe at first, but after a bit you grow to love the big beast 'cause it's it's own "thing' and nothing else is like it. Can't handle it? Then learn how to ride a bike-how to set up for a turn-how to countersteer and trail-brake. Yea, you need to have a bit more skill but the R3 will hang in there just fine in the hands of a skilled rider.
The 865 is fine-but get in the hills on a two lane behind 4 semi's-the R3 passes at will so you are not stuck for 15 miles like the Harley's and smaller motors are. So, for those who hate it-go ahead. My wife rides a 865 and I use it too but if there was only one bike in the family there is no question it's the Rocket.

I have always like the R3 I like the R3T even better. I hope to find one I can buy one of these days. If I wasn't strapped for cash I would go buy a new one. Almost bought a wreck not too long ago planning to build a trike out of it.

There is a guy in FLA with an 08 R3T, 3000 miles and a bunch of x-tras for sale at 10,900-a steal! he's a Chevy dealer and needs to lose some toys right now.

I want one of the Stellan limited edition bikes!!! I am still drooling.... That just looks bad!!!

I test drove a Rocket and was amazed at how well it handled. I was not the least bit intimidated. Once I can afford a tourer this is the bike. I will never let go of my America though.

That is my problem as well! I want one in the worst way but I won't give up my America. Right now I don't have enough room for my America let alone another bike. Where would I put it??? Let me think

I am the same I'll never part with my SM but want an R3T to put a hitch on for our long trips.

I looked at a R3T at the dealer the other day. Overall a very well thought out bike. It amazes me however that they haven't put a electronic cruise control on it. Seems like a no-brainer for such an obvious long range tourer.

There is 3 on e-bay right now. Silver 2005 with 853 miles. Current bid $7,922; 2004 Black one with 2,814 miles current bid $7,200; brand new Azure blue R-3 T I think it said 16,700? I forgot already. The Silver one is the deal of the day. If you could get it for that price you could trick it up with beetle bags and a Corbin fairing and you'd be set. It's a brand new bike for gosh sakes.

I have both..an 07 america(yes,its for sale)and an 08 R3T..the only thing the R3T shares with the rocket classic is the engine and gear box..new frame,swingarm,smaller tires(on recall)flatter tank,less h/p but more torque..I installed the Tors and remapped(107hp stock..now 123-126h/p).Its handles just as nice as my america and definetely a plus on the interstate..never blown arround...save your money and buy one..you will not regret it!!!

I have to agree with the positive comments on the Rocket III especially the Touring. I have an '03 America and an '08 R3T and really love both bikes. I am still amazed at how comfortable and ridable the R3T is and have no complaints about the weight, etc. If I were able to change anything it would be to continue to find ways to reduce the heat a bit. Stop and go traffic in the middle of summer in Dallas gets pretty warm. Out on the road, the R3T is wonderful. Having said that, I am also very happy that I decided to keep the America. It is my favorite bike for around the city riding, etc. It's also been great fun to customize.

The America definately gets ridden more often that the R3T, but when the R3T gets pulled out the rides are typically longer.



Steven

the R3T might handle well but I can't see it being as good as the BA or SM just given the torque of the engine. The direction the engine turns makes the bike pull to one side when reved or want to stand up when turning one way. (can't remember right or left) I rode a normal R3 and felt this just like my old BMW that does the same thing. Not really bad just pointing it out since that does make it handle slightly worse than the BA or SM. Not making it bad to ride just not as good handling and easily gotten used to. Not fair comparison though since it's apple to oranges and the R3 handles well and is fun to ride, I still would like to get one.