Buying a bike...trouble deciding between the 2.

I've narrowed my candidates to 2 bikes. The first is a 2005 BMW R1150 GS Adventure (2K miles) the other is a 2007 Rocket III (new). I know you guys are saying..."what a freak...these 2 bikes are miles apart". Kinda but not so much. Both handle better than they ought to for the size. Both tour well. Both are rather rare to see. One has wicked acceleration and one has off road capability.

My issues are the handling. I've demo'ed a stock RIII for only 10 miles or so. Just how good can this bike handle...realizing it is not a R1 or GSXR. Dealer says waaaaay better that a H-D Roadglide...I hope so. Does any one program out the 7% retard in 1st and 2nd...how does that feel? Don't say 7% faster...

My ultimate set up would be Fleetliner and Beetle Bags and a Jardine exhaust. I've read too many posts where people had issues with rideability after installing the Jars. The off road thing is lessened as I plan on street legalizing my XR650r for dual sport rides. The handling still looms large.

I'd love some input on this 13,000 to 15,000 dollar decision.


Thanks!

When removing the ignition and secondary butterfly restrictions the bike feels a lot more responsive and "peppy." Really how the bike should be from the factory. My first thought was the bike has woken up. If you go the route of Jardines and triple filters you should expect a 20 to 25 hp gain from stock with a Tuneboy tune loaded.

When you refer to ridability with the Jardines, do you mean how loud they are?

I traded an R1200GS on my Rocket 3 Touring. If you remove the off road capability the bikes really have some similarities. Both are comfortable for long days and easily cruise at well beyond the speed limit all day long.

The GS is a more versatile motorcycle. Its lighter, off road capable, an easy tourer, properly equipped a better pack horse, and for the most part is stone reliable. The Rocket is a very different animal. It can be equipped with sufficient luggage for moderate touring, and with some known exceptions is proving very reliable.

The thing is, do you want a monster motor and all the thrills that accompany that motor? If you do, the venerable boxer will come up way short.

Good luck with your decision, both are excellent choices.

By rideability I mean ease of use. I've read posts of people complaining about the leanness or richness of the AF mixture with the modified exhausts and the popping that ensues...If I knew the proper tune would allow the bike run as hiccup free as a stock one would I'd have little concern.

Loudness...I like some rumble...Straight pipes with all baffles removed on my previous Indian were a bit much...

Welcome to the site.

I haven't ridden a GS, but my R3T handles very well. She's very nimble despite her size. And the power will make you smile every time you twist that throttle.

Akita Man said:

By rideability I mean ease of use. I've read posts of people complaining about the leanness or richness of the AF mixture with the modified exhausts and the popping that ensues...If I knew the proper tune would allow the bike run as hiccup free as a stock one would I'd have little concern.

Loudness...I like some rumble...Straight pipes with all baffles removed on my previous Indian were a bit much...

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I personally would stay away from any of the factory tunes. Get a Tuneboy or PCIII. Tuneboy basically allows you to hook up a computer to the bike and modify/download any tune to the bike. Any fueling issues or factory power limits can be resolved. Anyone complaining of those issues doesn't have a properly tuned bike. You do need to be a little computer savvy as the instructions and support (outside of this site) is really nonexistent. TuneBoy home page

I have found the greatest success with dyno tuning with a PCIII then importing the map into Tuneboy. The bike is smoother than the factory map.

I like both

Those were also the two I was contemplating coming from a Tiger. I have had the Rocket for a year and I had the Jardines put on new. I really did not like the popping and farting at first, but I have grown to like it. Premium fuel seems to help. From what I have read you can tune it out, but at this point I just hop on and ride. Just have not taken the time to get up to speed on Tuneboy or get one for that matter.

Sure, Stephy Graff has a good look, but the grin factor from the Rocket can't be beat!

.........and they both have their inherent problems. The Rocket has had some teething issues (but Triumph has stood behind the issues and handled them, at least in my case). The GS infrequently breaks rear drive castings.

To make a statement like the GS is capable off road is pretty generic. If I was going to be really serious, I'd get a KTM over the GS. Me, I'm too cheap so I have a KLR, which actually comes with aggressive tires stock.

They are 2 different animals (the GS and the R3). The GS with Anakee's is a capable road bike but it will never be a heavyweight tourer like the R3 and the power isn't there. I know, I ride with a good friend who has one.

If you want to go to Alaska and ride up the Al-can, the GS is the ticket. If you want a heavyweight tourer, the R3 is the ticket.

Just buy the R3 and go out and get a used, late model KLR for a couple grand, install a set of D606's, the 685 Schintz kit, a Thermo-Bob, SW Motec engine guards and skid plate and call it good. That way, you have 'em both and 2 bikes to ride.

There is another poster on here that has 2 like me (KLR and R3). I'm sure Ugarte will be chiming in somewhere along the line.

Sound level and popping with Jars

Is the popping people talk about minor or does is make the unit unridable? If not horrible...I can ride until I was able to program it out.

Also how loud are the Jars? I was told they are quite loud...is it a good tone or like a Honda/Yamaha 600 V-twin with Shogun pipes...obnoxious...possibly the roughest sounding bike on the road...(sorry if I offended any of you...but I can't imagine any of you R3 owners also housing a 600 cc V-twin Japaneese bike)

I gotta laugh at the extreme difference between this forum and those at ADVRider/BMW GS threads. They are terrified at modifying their bikes beyond lights, side cases and larger windshields.

After market exhaust or anything to enhance stock performance is boorish and silly. Those who question it are slapped down pretty quickly by many...

Here...you guys can't get enough. I can't believe someone yot has not come up with a 4600 CC kit...You already have the turbos and blowers...for this reason alone...I lean towards the Rocket!

I don't know that I need 250 hp but 150-160 at the wheel with all that torque sure would be fun! If all I need is the proper exhaust, K&N and the right tune...why not.

My buddy just spent 30K on a 2009 Street Glide...6K being motor work...they guarantee 105 to 110 hp at the tire...for less than 1/2 the Rocket would embarass him quite badly...

..welcome aboard..