Considering a Rocket vs an Indian

[albertaduke]

Thanks for the welcome. I took a test ride toddy on a 2012 Roadster with 6600 miles. Awesome power, brakes and good handling for such a big bike. I loved how powerful but smooth the bike is. HOWEVER the ergonomic fit was very bad for me.

For the record I am 5-10 and 190.

I found myself uncomfortable and hunt huntched over. The bars would need to be raised at a minimum.

I really want to like this bike but I am still unsure. I will want to be comfortable a lot more than I will want to roast tires. The Indian may have taken the lead in the competition.

strange.. I am 5'11 and 195lbs and the ergonomics were good enough to me to make a 6000 miles trip last summer

 

[Tripps]

I traded an R3T on a K16GTL.

I hated it.

It was like an ST1100 on steroids.

I kept it for 7 or 8 months and sold it back to the dealer for. k13S and cash back to me.

Your welcome to the BMW K16. IMHO, it sucks hard.

I would have thought it a great bike if I wasn't coming off the K1200, it's lighter, lower, better handling, the 1600 might be nice riding cross country, but in parking lots or city driving it was a pig, and the extra hp seemed practically cancelled by the extra weight. I'm hoping the K1300s will be my next bike, but I haven't ridden one yet, we'll see.

 

[rainman]

I've been riding motorcycles for over 35 years and I have never owned any brand of motorcycle for more than two years at a time.

However I rode the R3T for 5 yrs and the Roadster for 3.
The reason for that is because the Rocket is such a fabulous motorcycle. And is in a class all of its own.


I would agree with everything everybody has to say about the Rocket, except for perhaps BillyIndiana's comments about the R3T being a complete and ready to go Motorcycle as compared to the Chieftain. as far as touring motorcycles go the R3T does not hold a candle to the Indian chieftain.

The chieftain has all of the amenities that a true touring motorcycle should have, where as the rocket touring has a windshield, floor boards, bags and a ton of torque and horsepower.

The rest of the stuff could be added of course.

Where as adding horsepower and torque to the chieftain would be an expensive and very limited proposition.

The only reason I no longer own a Rocket is because after eight years I was ready to try something new and I loved the looks of the Indian , and I could not afford to have both.

of course the biggest adjustment from going from a Rocket to an Indian is the horsepower and torque or lack there of.

The first time I ran out of throttle on the Indian and had to downshift while going up a long uphill grade my thoughts were WTF!

But now I am used to the Indian I know what to expect from the bike and I absolutely love it. I routinely get my Indian up to 100 to 110 mph without any trouble at all. The only difference being is that you cannot maintain that speed on a hill without downshifting on an Indian,but on Rocket you wouldn't even have to think about it

It all comes down to what you want from a motorcycle.

Test ride both, let us know what you decide.

EDIT:

If it helps you make up your mind your not going to find a better group of guys and gal's that are on this forum

The guys over on the Indian forum are mean to me

They just don't know how to handle u like we do

 

[sonny]

Since The comparison from Indian to Harley has been mentioned a few times on this thread I thought I would post a little information.

Of course if you get tired of reading the whole article you can just scroll down to the specification page

For your reading pleasure

COMPARED: Three American V-Twin Touring Baggers

I find the specification page very hard to believe. A completely stock 2010 96 cubic inch Harley Fatboy has a top end of 117 MPH. Top end is set by a governor. A 103 cubic inch even with the added weight would produce very close to the same top end. 103 mph top end is Hogwash.

 

[daytonageo]

I would have thought it a great bike if I wasn't coming off the K1200, it's lighter, lower, better handling, the 1600 might be nice riding cross country, but in parking lots or city driving it was a pig, and the extra hp seemed practically cancelled by the extra weight. I'm hoping the K1300s will be my next bike, but I haven't ridden one yet, we'll see.

The K1300s has been discontinued by BMW. You can still get one of course, but they no longer make them.

 

[JamiePT]

strange.. I am 5'11 and 195lbs and the ergonomics were good enough to me to make a 6000 miles trip last summer

Nothing strange about it. Your arms might be longer your torso might be shorter.

 

[micromike1]

I test rode a K1600GT, but I declined to trade in my K1200gt, I liked mine better.

Had a 1600gtse for a while ,had the worst gearbox/transmission backlash I have ever experienced in over 50 bikes,the engine was peach and the handling pretty good ,***** to move around tho at standstill ,never missed it when I sold it.

 

[David Gravlin]

Hello,

I am about to venture back into the world of motorcycling after a 10 year absence. I have owned Harleys, Hondas, a Yamaha and a BMW K bike.

I am looking hard at a Rocket Roadster. There are a few new and used around at two different dealerships in my area.

I am also strongly considering and Indian Chief Dark Horse. I know it seems kind of weird as they are quite different bikes. I do not see myself in the position to buy two bikes in the future any time soon.

My philosophy of use for the motorcycle is primarily a toy and recreation. I will use it to commute to work which is only 4 miles each way. Cruising about town, and short to medium length touring.

I'm going to test ride some bikes this Wednesday and Thursday. I'll let you all know on my impressions are and what I find.

Jamie

Both beautiful bikes, I would say two words "water cooled", that was a big part of my decision

 

[IMFASTTOO]

Nothing strange about it. Your arms might be longer your torso might be shorter.

SO change the bars whats the big deal ?

 

[IMFASTTOO]

Both beautiful bikes, I would say two words "water cooled", that was a big part of my decision

AND an extra 55 HP LOL