Hello everyone

[overlander]

Thought it only polite to introduce myself. I am from sunny scotland and have been riding motorcycles since the age of 7 with a very long break In between. Sure you have heard all that before, started of on a yamaha fs1e moved onto a honda XL125 then onto yamaha Dt 125 MX then a RD350 LC followed by a kawasaki GPz 900R. That has been it for 20 years, started riding again in 2008 but only 2 weeks a year with various intense training course to see if I still liked it. I'm 6ft 4" 290 lb so prefer my bikes big but don't want to be stupid.

I cover about 2000 miles a year on the training courses and am now in the position to buy my own bike. I have looked at every route possible starting with learner 500's up to the extreme of just buying the rocket. I have sat on the rocker and sure it's a big bike but seems manoeuvrable enough.

Would like a few opinions about just getting one straight away or would I be better off getting a bike full time for a few years. My main type of use would be touring and longer trips with my mates who all have Harley's and older bikes so were not really in a hurry to get anywhere, were all past that stage. To me the triumph is all about style and being different not to interested in its performance but do admit the acceleration is appealing anything over 80 mph is of no interest to me.

Opinions most welcome.

Thanks.

 

[cr0ft]

First of all, welcome, and second of all, good for you for actually realizing that 20 years off a bike means you were almost a total beginner again and getting training. Too many guys who are coming back to it just pull on shorts, wrap a bandana around their heads and barrel off with no clue about a thing and get themselves killed in short order.

The Rocket isn't really that scary, the main thing is the weight. This comes into play at stops, primarily, and just handling the bike. The power is so torquey it comes in a very linear and predictable form - there's a lot of it, but it doesn't surprise you. I don't see a problem with going to a Rocket after riding for years in your youth, getting good refresher courses and especially considering your size. Just don't let the right hand write checks the riding skill can't cash and you should be good.

And don't humiliate your poor Harley-afflicted friends too much or the atmosphere around the ole campfire at the end of the day will be mighty frosty.

 

[CanberraR3]

Welcome. Ride one and see.

 

[HansO]

Welcome take for a test that will tell you every thing, even tho you have had a long break, if you take it gently to start of with and only intend to your and cruise you will love the Rocket as it does that effortlessly and then allows you o pass with out having to do the gearbox shuffle, lastly having had the good sense todo refresher or advance rider training you will have no problems, I'm sure and the Premagrin you will develop is part of the package of owning a Rocket

 

[wildchild]

welcome! riding one is the best advice

 

[overlander]

Thanks for the welcome guys.
Was just looking for some opinions as I have been known to throw a couple of curveball decisions in the past

It reassuring that I'm not a million miles of base here as I am being cautious with this.

My plan is to do 3-4 days advanced training with about 500 miles practice. Followed by a tour with world of BMW as their luxury tours are fantastic the "Vive la France" one take in vineyards and casinos along with about 2000 miles of touring on one of their bikes. That should get me right back into the swing of things and a good holiday to boot, not in rush waited thus long. Will read all I can over the coming months and take one for a test ride.

 

[idk]

G'day and welcome. It looks like you are doing it the right way.

 

[ksquared]

Welcome to the Forum from Sunny South Florida However, you can't be a full member here without disclosing what you wear under your kilt!

 

[Boog]

Hello Overlander and welcome from Virginia! I think you would be best suited to an R3 Touring. Not just because I have one, but if you’re really looking at touring around the place without going into warp drive every few minutes, this beast will suit you fine. I have just over 11,000 miles on my '14 and have loved it all the way. Get a good bag to sit on the luggage rack and be off for a week at a time without any worries for carrying your stuff. Good luck mate! The touring model came out in '08 and they are usually a good used buy.

 

[cr0ft]

Seconding the R3 T choice if Touring is on the agenda, get passable panniers, foot plates, a wind shield etc. Arguably also a machine that handles twisties just a tad better due to the narrower redesigned rear tire, "only" 180. Of course I'm biased since I have it.