one thing I have never understood is why someone buys a Rocket touring and then wants to increase the power past what a normal R3 is at to begin with...or more. Makes no sense whatsoever to me.
Maybe because the RIIIT is a better handling bike with the 180 rear tire, and is more comfortable for those that ride bikes vs talk about them. Do you have enough power in your "normal R3"?
I can see some modifications, especially ones that aren't too costly, but one thing leads to another and one expense leads to another as well. Why not start out a couple rungs up to begin with.
With a TuneBoy, K&N filter and a drill, I've already gained 33HP and 22LBS/FT. What is a couple rungs up?
Anyrthing is doable with the proper lubrication...money, but the ratio isn't constant, that is, more money don't always mean more power.
Just cams alone aren't going to do much. You need to deliver more fuel and air. That entails a Tuneperson or Power Commander and exhaust to get rid of the spent gasses and different throttlwe bodies...on it goes.
Then, at some point you wind up with a motorcycle that you can never sell because it's so unique and if you could sell it, you'd never realize any compensation for all the lubrication invested because when you sell a bike, acessories, whether ornamental or functional (as in power enhancing), aren't considered to add value to the sale price.
There is nothing wrong with personalization or performance enhancement but a person has to decide if they intend to keep the bike for an eternity before embarking on extensive modifications, because, you, as the owner, will never realize any of that money back when you sell it.
Then, after you spend all that moolah, I can go out and buy a stock Kawasaki Concourse and blow your bike in the weeds in a straight line or around corners and do it in comfort with a very touring capable machine. Of course it's not a Triumph or a Rocket but nothing is relative in the performance arena.