First time poster with a tyre question.

[Mrtwisty]

Hello. I’m seriously considering a Rocket III Roadster. I’ve been costing various bits up, tyres and services, etc and I’ve struggled to find rear tyres in the UK. 250 section ones seem a bit like rocking horse poo. Is there a trick to finding them, a supplier everyone uses, or an alternative tyre size? It’s the one thing really putting me off. I’ve had a quick search, but couldn’t find anything relevant anywhere.

 

[Mongler07]

Welcome from Colorado!
A few things first.
How much $ can you afford to just set on fire for no reason other than a few minutes of heat?
How much $ in gear and other bikes do you have? How much will you ride the rocket? It might be more than you think once you do.
Bottom line, there are deals. Just keep an eye out and buy and store them 2 sets at a time 1 frot and 2 rears. I get tires cheap on deals. See one of my other threads.
The old rockets are very low maintenance cost and labor compared to most other bikes I own. A few things come up now and again but nothing that separates them as a bad bike to maintain.
Imo buy a 1st Gen (rocket III) for 4 grand, no more than 5k (USD conversion) I have heard UK was much cheaper around 3500 (USD)
Put aside 2 grand for when the rocket needs some love, should last a few years of you do not DIY everything from oil changes, tires, and random maintenance.
If you can not afford to simply burn $3k, as in you do not have any impact like it was stolen from you, buy the bike, spend what you want on it and ride more, worry less. Even a completely trashed out totalled rocket is worth $2k of the engine still works.

 

[Mrtwisty]

Welcome from Colorado!
A few things first.
How much $ can you afford to just set on fire for no reason other than a few minutes of heat?
How much $ in gear and other bikes do you have? How much will you ride the rocket? It might be more than you think once you do.
Bottom line, there are deals. Just keep an eye out and buy and store them 2 sets at a time 1 frot and 2 rears. I get tires cheap on deals. See one of my other threads.
The old rockets are very low maintenance cost and labor compared to most other bikes I own. A few things come up now and again but nothing that separates them as a bad bike to maintain.
Imo buy a 1st Gen (rocket III) for 4 grand, no more than 5k (USD conversion) I have heard UK was much cheaper around 3500 (USD)
Put aside 2 grand for when the rocket needs some love, should last a few years of you do not DIY everything from oil changes, tires, and random maintenance.
If you can not afford to simply burn $3k, as in you do not have any impact like it was stolen from you, buy the bike, spend what you want on it and ride more, worry less. Even a completely trashed out totalled rocket is worth $2k of the engine still works.

Thanks for the info. That’s pretty much what I’ve heard. I’m sick of chains, the GSA ruined me for other bikes, but I ride all year round and my bikes live outside, so I can’t take the BMW rust and electrical issues. I hear Triumphs are good at standing up to the weather, so hopefully I can find tyres and actually get a Rocket!

 

[Journeyman]

Hello. I’m seriously considering a Rocket III Roadster. I’ve been costing various bits up, tyres and services, etc and I’ve struggled to find rear tyres in the UK. 250 section ones seem a bit like rocking horse poo. Is there a trick to finding them, a supplier everyone uses, or an alternative tyre size? It’s the one thing really putting me off. I’ve had a quick search, but couldn’t find anything relevant anywhere.

Alternative tire size/brands (compliments of @1olbull ....

Best Tire Size for Handling

My searches for a good handling front tire size come up with a recommended front size of 140/75/17 or in one case a 150/60/17. I can't find any size recommended for the rear tire other than the 240/55/16. I'd appreciate any thoughts you have regarding good handling tire brands and sizes for my...

www.r3owners.net

 

[Mrtwisty]

Alternative tire size/brands (compliments of @1olbull ....

Best Tire Size for Handling

My searches for a good handling front tire size come up with a recommended front size of 140/75/17 or in one case a 150/60/17. I can't find any size recommended for the rear tire other than the 240/55/16. I'd appreciate any thoughts you have regarding good handling tire brands and sizes for my...

www.r3owners.net

Cool, thanks. That’s really helpful. Just need to find the right bike now!

 

[atomsplitter]

The rear tyres (tires) should be available since the 240 width is fairly common anymore. The aspect ratio should be 50% as 55% tires could rub the fender under certain conditions (unlikely but possible).

 

[Mrtwisty]

The rear tyres (tires) should be available since the 240 width is fairly common anymore. The aspect ratio should be 50% as 55% tires could rub the fender under certain conditions (unlikely but possible).

The info I have is that it’s a 250 rear, is that not right, or is that the new ones and AI is screwing up my results?

 

[atomsplitter]

If you are considering the Roadster that's a gen 1 Rocket with the 2300cc motor. Specs call for 250 rear tire but a 240 will work. I rode my '05 Rocket III with a 225 car tire for about 10 years.

Here's the specs for a 2010 Roadster:

2010 Triumph Rocket III Roadster

Motorcycle Specifications Overviews and Road Tests

www.motorcyclespecs.co.za

 

[Journeyman]

The rear tyres (tires) should be available since the 240 width is fairly common anymore. The aspect ratio should be 50% as 55% tires could rub the fender under certain conditions (unlikely but possible).

Rubbing the fender applies to the 2.5s (no mod needed for earlier models), but on the 2.5s it is easily fixed with a couple of longer bolts and spacers. I think the OP is considering a Roadster though and the Exedra Max is no problem and a hellofah great tire

 

[1olbull]

The rear tyres (tires) should be available since the 240 width is fairly common anymore. The aspect ratio should be 50% as 55% tires could rub the fender under certain conditions (unlikely but possible).

Not on the R3R or earlier.