But while there, who should I run into but a certain Tiger pilot who had finally splurged on that Rocket III test ride he'd been considering? I think there must be a detailed writeup incoming somewhere.
Full Version: Bike Test Report?
Picked up the Ultra today at ANZA, and forked over a considerable amount of money for the pleasure. But while there, who should I run into but a certain Tiger pilot who had finally splurged on that Rocket III test ride he'd been considering? I think there must be a detailed writeup incoming somewhere.
But while there, who should I run into but a certain Tiger pilot who had finally splurged on that Rocket III test ride he'd been considering? I think there must be a detailed writeup incoming somewhere.
QUOTE (Horse @ 25 Oct 2008, 12:28 AM) 
Picked up the Ultra today at ANZA, and forked over a considerable amount of money for the pleasure. But while there, who should I run into but a certain Tiger pilot who had finally splurged on that Rocket III test ride he'd been considering? I think there must be a detailed writeup incoming somewhere.
But while there, who should I run into but a certain Tiger pilot who had finally splurged on that Rocket III test ride he'd been considering? I think there must be a detailed writeup incoming somewhere.It'll start something like:
"It's big, freekin big, bigger than a glide and heavy, freekin heavy, nearly as heavy as a glide..."
It's freekin big alright!
It happened quite by chance. I'd rung ANZA to see if they could fit me in for a quick oil and filter change on the Tiger.
30 mins later the Tiger was wheeled into the workshop and I was loitering around the goodies. Kieran appeared and ordered me to go for a ride on the SpeedMaster. I said I'd swap for the Rocket so fuel tank duely topped up and keys in the ignition it was.
After a quick brief to watch the acceleration I jumped on. Noted it only had 240 kms on the clock and after figuring out what all the buttons and lever were for I started her up.
Lovely triple sound naturally, but very subdued thanks to the very big pipes.
A quick blip on the throttle saw the whole bike roll to the right due to the torque of 2300 cc. Very cool.
I edged out into the street and fumbled around for the brake and gear levers which, naturally enough are in a completely different place.
I love the heel shift on the gear lever, very easy to use.
The rear brake pedal is about the size of a small car but I still missed it on occasion. Front brakes - adequate at best.
No rpm gauge, but just listening to the motor was simple.
I headed out down Napier road (couldn't find the stereo tho Horse lol) and passed a few cars with just the slightest twist of the wrist. This thing has plenty of power but the gearbox still needs using. Top speed 200 indicated but I never went above 125.
Being almost new, the bike was still very tight in all departments. I looked down at the front suspension working and she just eats bumps for breakfast.
Huge wide bars makes for easy counter steering and she rolls in willingly enough due to the 180/55 rear.
As with most big bikes, speed is deceptive and I had to hold her down a bit.
Quite a comfortable seat with less wind buffet and noise than the Tiger. I found the bars slightly too low for me though that could be fixed.
She's very light on the move despite the dry weight of some 360 kg I think it is.
I headed up the Track to see how she was in the twisties. Not bad, though ground clearance was an issue which I don't think I could live with full time. Once at the top I stopped to inspect the undersides of the foot 'stretchers' and saw to my pleasant surprise that she has removable panels that can be replaced once worn out by those scrapes that must surely plauge every bike of this type at some point.
Now, maneouvering on a loose surface time. CAUTION. This bike is bloody heavy if you're wearing tight new pants and she starts to go! Saved the day tho lol.
Back down the track and into town feeling very regal. Love the big triple 'boom' on the decelleration! Lot's of admiring looks from passerbys and other motorists.
Backed her into her slot VERY carefully and shut down.
Yep, I liked it, very much. Would I have one? Not yet, but we'll see how we go in a few years time
It happened quite by chance. I'd rung ANZA to see if they could fit me in for a quick oil and filter change on the Tiger.
30 mins later the Tiger was wheeled into the workshop and I was loitering around the goodies. Kieran appeared and ordered me to go for a ride on the SpeedMaster. I said I'd swap for the Rocket so fuel tank duely topped up and keys in the ignition it was.
After a quick brief to watch the acceleration I jumped on. Noted it only had 240 kms on the clock and after figuring out what all the buttons and lever were for I started her up.
Lovely triple sound naturally, but very subdued thanks to the very big pipes.
A quick blip on the throttle saw the whole bike roll to the right due to the torque of 2300 cc. Very cool.
I edged out into the street and fumbled around for the brake and gear levers which, naturally enough are in a completely different place.
I love the heel shift on the gear lever, very easy to use.
The rear brake pedal is about the size of a small car but I still missed it on occasion. Front brakes - adequate at best.
No rpm gauge, but just listening to the motor was simple.
I headed out down Napier road (couldn't find the stereo tho Horse lol) and passed a few cars with just the slightest twist of the wrist. This thing has plenty of power but the gearbox still needs using. Top speed 200 indicated but I never went above 125.
Being almost new, the bike was still very tight in all departments. I looked down at the front suspension working and she just eats bumps for breakfast.
Huge wide bars makes for easy counter steering and she rolls in willingly enough due to the 180/55 rear.
As with most big bikes, speed is deceptive and I had to hold her down a bit.
Quite a comfortable seat with less wind buffet and noise than the Tiger. I found the bars slightly too low for me though that could be fixed.
She's very light on the move despite the dry weight of some 360 kg I think it is.
I headed up the Track to see how she was in the twisties. Not bad, though ground clearance was an issue which I don't think I could live with full time. Once at the top I stopped to inspect the undersides of the foot 'stretchers' and saw to my pleasant surprise that she has removable panels that can be replaced once worn out by those scrapes that must surely plauge every bike of this type at some point.
Now, maneouvering on a loose surface time. CAUTION. This bike is bloody heavy if you're wearing tight new pants and she starts to go! Saved the day tho lol.
Back down the track and into town feeling very regal. Love the big triple 'boom' on the decelleration! Lot's of admiring looks from passerbys and other motorists.
Backed her into her slot VERY carefully and shut down.
Yep, I liked it, very much. Would I have one? Not yet, but we'll see how we go in a few years time
Nice review.
I think that you can get used to the handling. I went for a ride with a guy who had one once. I was on by old Bandit and over the twisties on Highway 50 I got away from him but not by as much as I thought I would. And then when he twisted the throttle...
He's since sold it and now rides a Bonnie - slight difference there...
I think that you can get used to the handling. I went for a ride with a guy who had one once. I was on by old Bandit and over the twisties on Highway 50 I got away from him but not by as much as I thought I would. And then when he twisted the throttle...
He's since sold it and now rides a Bonnie - slight difference there...
Nice write up Al, but are you sure about that 180/55 rear? Should be a 240 on there!
They're f.rkin UGLY,like an elephant on wheels,the Helen Clark of Triumphs for gods sake.
Nice, love it, I could see myself at home on the Rocket III Touring one day. And yeah, with these big bikes you have to be very cautious when manhandling them around on the loose stuff.
QUOTE (Owl @ 25 Oct 2008, 07:10 PM)
Nice write up Al, but are you sure about that 180/55 rear? Should be a 240 on there!
Yeah I thought a 180 was a little skinny but I do know the touring version Al rode does have a norrower tyre the origonal Rocket 111
QUOTE (sarge @ 25 Oct 2008, 09:19 PM)
Yeah I thought a 180 was a little skinny but I do know the touring version Al rode does have a norrower tyre the origonal Rocket 111
Learn something every day! I do like the fat one though.
Yes, my mistake. The rear is a 180/70. It's a very substancial tyre. Here's what one review mentions. They also made mention of the 'wear plates' on the footrests.
The wheels and tires are also brand new for the Rocket III Touring. The Bridgestone Exedra tires are made especially for big, heavy touring cruisers like the Rocket III. The new 25-spoke 16-inch wheels hold a 150/80-R16 front and a narrow 180/70-R16 rear tire. The standard Rocket III has a massive 240mm rear tire, but on the Touring better handling has been one of the goals and Triumph has achieved this as my ride confirmed. But there is one more reason to the change to a narrower rear tire and mudguard. To fit large 39-liter hard panniers (combined volume) the Triumph engineers needed the extra space a narrower tire would provide.
The wheels and tires are also brand new for the Rocket III Touring. The Bridgestone Exedra tires are made especially for big, heavy touring cruisers like the Rocket III. The new 25-spoke 16-inch wheels hold a 150/80-R16 front and a narrow 180/70-R16 rear tire. The standard Rocket III has a massive 240mm rear tire, but on the Touring better handling has been one of the goals and Triumph has achieved this as my ride confirmed. But there is one more reason to the change to a narrower rear tire and mudguard. To fit large 39-liter hard panniers (combined volume) the Triumph engineers needed the extra space a narrower tire would provide.
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