Rocket 3 Touring
Discussion
I’ve got a Z1000 R Design for me and a Versys 1000 for me and my wife. I use the Versys most weeks for a 60 mile work commute and we go out two up monthly. The wife is tall and average build, but we’re both late 50’s so she’s now really struggling getting on board, and I’m struggling two-up at very low speeds.
I think I need to chop the tall adventure style. A K1600 GT is too big and a Z1000 Sx too small. My Kawasaki dealer has just taken in a Rocket 3 GT in perfect condition and I’m testing tomorrow.
Really interested if any has any left field options or thoughts on the Triumph’s suitability. I know it’s a heavy beast, but centre of gravity so much lower. Cheers chaps
I think I need to chop the tall adventure style. A K1600 GT is too big and a Z1000 Sx too small. My Kawasaki dealer has just taken in a Rocket 3 GT in perfect condition and I’m testing tomorrow.
Really interested if any has any left field options or thoughts on the Triumph’s suitability. I know it’s a heavy beast, but centre of gravity so much lower. Cheers chaps
I had a test ride for a few hours on the new Rocket 3 GT earlier this year. It was great, I really enjoyed riding it, great engine and surprisingly agile handling, Triumph have done a great job. It does not feel like a 300kg bike and is a vast improvement over the original Rocket 3 which did feel unwieldy.
The centre of gravity is really low and the only time you notice the weight is paddling it around. I have a couple of other 300kg bikes and was surprised how it masked its weight. It has more than enough ground clearance so you can use all the tyre without scraping anything (the original was lacking) The pull back on the bars and seat to foot pegs distance were perfect for me at 5'10" (a few adjustable options available if you dont fit out of the box). I did note the seat fixed you in one position, not much room for moving around on longer trips.
The main consideration for using it with a pillion would be how comfy the wife is on the rear seat. The small backrest obviously helps but the seat does not look that large to me. The panniers might be fine for a few nights away on your own, but its not really a 2 up touring bike.
I also have a Triumph Trophy 1215 for 2 up and touring duty and it was this I was contemplating replacing, but I decided to keep the dedicated tourer, with full luggage. For my use the Rocket 3 was too comprised as a tourer. I might have to have one someday as a hoon about cruiser though
The centre of gravity is really low and the only time you notice the weight is paddling it around. I have a couple of other 300kg bikes and was surprised how it masked its weight. It has more than enough ground clearance so you can use all the tyre without scraping anything (the original was lacking) The pull back on the bars and seat to foot pegs distance were perfect for me at 5'10" (a few adjustable options available if you dont fit out of the box). I did note the seat fixed you in one position, not much room for moving around on longer trips.
The main consideration for using it with a pillion would be how comfy the wife is on the rear seat. The small backrest obviously helps but the seat does not look that large to me. The panniers might be fine for a few nights away on your own, but its not really a 2 up touring bike.
I also have a Triumph Trophy 1215 for 2 up and touring duty and it was this I was contemplating replacing, but I decided to keep the dedicated tourer, with full luggage. For my use the Rocket 3 was too comprised as a tourer. I might have to have one someday as a hoon about cruiser though
My brother had one new last year.
He wasnt so keen on it after a couple of months as the rear suspension was overly hard on anything less than smooth roads…bit like RS in that respect ways.
Luckilly (!)as he concluded he was going to sell it , a car reversed into it and wrote it off (bike fell over and cracked the engine block)
Suspension aside, he loved everything else about it.
He wasnt so keen on it after a couple of months as the rear suspension was overly hard on anything less than smooth roads…bit like RS in that respect ways.
Luckilly (!)as he concluded he was going to sell it , a car reversed into it and wrote it off (bike fell over and cracked the engine block)
Suspension aside, he loved everything else about it.
Thanks all - really helpful thoughts. I took it out for 2 hours this afternoon. Took the dealer’s advice as I’ve never ridden a cruiser style bike so... did a very strange first 20 mins, parked up and looked at it for 10 minutes and then knocked out 40 odd mixed miles of D/C, 60’s and 40’s in flowing country roads. Bloody loved it. Deposit paid and collecting next Friday.
Appreciate comments on touring ability. I’m pretty sure I can tolerate all day riding, though Triumph panniers aren’t too large. Long weekends definitely possible if I go tee shirts and smalls only. It was such a calm beast to ride and with torque to die for. Looking forward to many adventures!
Appreciate comments on touring ability. I’m pretty sure I can tolerate all day riding, though Triumph panniers aren’t too large. Long weekends definitely possible if I go tee shirts and smalls only. It was such a calm beast to ride and with torque to die for. Looking forward to many adventures!
Looks great. My dad has an older roadster that I rode for the first time a few weeks back. Lovely engine but suspension was v hard as someone said.
He takes a pillion quite often (my uncle) and he loves it. They haven't toured though, so no luggage requirement when 2-up.
How are you/the wife finding it when out together?
He takes a pillion quite often (my uncle) and he loves it. They haven't toured though, so no luggage requirement when 2-up.
How are you/the wife finding it when out together?
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