Happy 3000 to me!!

[Protonhound]

On Feb 19, 2024 I rode my brand new 2023 Rocket 3R home and today the beast turned 3000 miles old. This is by far the most fun bike I have ever had or ridden. It's a real odd ball and I love everything about it, even the "peculiarities" are just what they are; a real work of industrial art. The bike feels so right and at 6'2 240lbs, which puts me over the average rider ergonomics most bikes are built for, it fits me really well and is very comfortable. I went on a first mini 800 mile road trip the weekend before Memorial Day from Calaveras County south-west over to the CA central coast and back the next day. She ran like a champ and I had 2 very beautiful days in every way.

 

[papanorm]

Great story, glad your'e enjoying your 3 R.

 

[ciderbaby]

Like you this is the first bike I've owned that feels it was built for me. I'm off tomorrow to a family wedding - don't know how I'm gonna stuff a suit into the panniers but that should take me to over 2k miles

 

[Taz]

@Protonhound I couldn't agree more. I've done 1000 miles on it, in the little over a month I've owned it. I concur with the thought of how the bike fits me. It is one of the few bikes I can say that about. While it isn't the fastest/quickest bike I have, the long wheelbase and low CG, make the power available with little risk of unintended wheelies. So that makes its power very accessible. I don't have to worry about the bike going over backwards or TC cutting in to stop a wheelie.

It is surprisingly comfortable with one massive exception, riding in hot weather. I don't have another bike that dumps more heat on me when at a stop and to some extent when riding. I probably would have done more miles on it if it wasn't so miserable once the temps get in the 90's. I rode it a few times and it was tolerable until I got stuck in a rush hour traffic and had my chestnuts roasted continuously for about 20 minutes in stop and go traffic (no lane splitting where I live).

If it wasn't for the heat issue, I'd ride it 99% of the time. Once it gets in the upper 80's, I just ride my LiveWire which doesn't have any heat issues. It isn't a bad substitute as they are kindred spirits to me.

 

[Protonhound]

I don't have another bike that dumps more heat on me when at a stop and to some extent when riding.

That is the truth, I live in a rural area now so I don't have to deal with traffic the way I used to in L.A.. Those 2 fans blowing all that heat at you when stopped is certainly different. I do wear gear when riding and my full leather overpants are thick enough to help mitigate all that somewhat. Once the temps reach 100F though I just take the car because no matter what bike you're on it's just no fun anymore.

 

[Taz]

Even with riding gear, you get heat soaked at some point and on the R3, it is much quicker than most bikes. You can tell the bike came from a UK manufacturer. There, this heat would be an added feature... At least it doesn't overheat like my old Jaguars did.

 

[Protonhound]

Even with riding gear, you get heat soaked at some point and on the R3, it is much quicker than most bikes. You can tell the bike came from a UK manufacturer. There, this heat would be an added feature... At least it doesn't overheat like my old Jaguars did.

At least I can split lanes here in Cali which helps somewhat and given the size of the motor I don't think they had too many design options.