Hello from Missouri !

[Bedifferent]

Very interesting and yes we do have a similar story. Since you were a fellow Valkyrie owner I might add I was the Missouri State Rep for the VRCC. By chance did you belong to the VRCC ? I actually test rode a couple of Triumph's before I bought my Harley. I live in a small Midwest town where the only real motorcycle dealership is the Harley dealer. The majority of riders here are Harley riders and I have three riding buddies that I take road trips with and they all ride Harley's. So there you go I bought a Harley and joined the rest of the sheep. My first mistake was trading the Valk for a new Harley Wide Glide. I bought it at the beginning of model change and soon discovered I need floorboards, bags and a windshield. After 7,000 miles I traded it at the end of the model year for a new Ultra Classic. This time I went all out getting a tourpack and the works. As much as I liked the tourpack for storage I hated the top heavy feel. I'm 5'7 165 lbs so top heavy is not a good thing. I removed the tourpack, rear passenger floorboards, saddlebag rails, bumper guards and installed a custom low profile seat with backrest. The bike feels totally different and I've been pretty happy with it to this point. It actually looks a lot like a Streetglide which is probably what I should have bought instead of the Wideglide. I kept the Valk longer than any other bike I've ever had. I can see myself probably keeping my Harley another year or two. I've always thought I would like to try a Triumph so that's probably going to be my next choice.

Pretty close stories and I never was a VRCC member. I wish I could have kept my Valkyrie as well, but I'm afraid it's only one bike at a time for me (the wife's the problem). I had my Valkyrie the longest as well. The guys I ride with are a mixed bag of riders...several Harley's but we also have Indians, Victory's, Yamaha's, Ducati's, a Valkyrie, Kawasaki's and then there is me now with the Rocket. I'm not sure what they think about that (they can't get past the engine) but I wanted to "Bedifferent". They find the bike to be interesting to say the least and I think several are drooling to take it for a ride because of the shear size and performance. Funny you should mention Street Glide as I was all set to buy a new Street Glide Special. I rode it 3 times and was ready to sign the papers and back out. I couldn't get past the rubber mounted engine and the ride. The Harley Softails are a much better riding bike in my opinion. No blubber in that ride. Anyway, I'm the only one around with a Rocket and I like it that way! It's a work in progress. Here are a couple pictures. Not as fancy as "Idaho Red" but it's me.

 

[Bedifferent]

Welcome C908 from Idaho. I'm short at 5' 7" too. 60 yo ain't nothing on this forum. Plenty of gray haired grandpas on this site. Some riding Rockets that are stock and some riding Rockets that are rodded out very nicely. I've made my "ripper" into a dresser sleeper. It is a 2006 standard. If you buy new today it would be the Roadster.

PS: Take your checkbook with you when you go to take a test ride.

Pretty sharp looking ride there Idaho Red. Gotta love the Roadster. How Cool is that! I agree, better take the checkbook.

 

[1olbull]

All these 60 years young fellars around , I am 67 in September and still ride at least 3 times a week with blokes young enough to be my grandson, I am still capable to ride 1000k plus days ,1170k home in one day from RDU 2014, turning 60 is not the thing that stops you doing what you want, its not wanting to do things at 60plus that stops some of us ,providing you have your health and a few bob Then on your bike jimmy as the Scots say! as for downsizing bikes, forget that one

You da Mate, Cusso!
I spent my 60th B-Day on my motor.
Did the famous Beartooth Pass - twice!
Twas a religious experience I shall not forget.
Be 69 next B-Day and figure to spend that one "in the saddle" backwards!

 

[vanguard138]

Welcome from sunny Southern California! I just bought a new '14 R3 Roadster last week and love it! There was even a guy at the dealer trading in his HD for a new Triumph. Attached is the Owner's Handbook for the latest R3R. You'll see the maintenance schedule on PDF page 61. First valve adjustment at 10,000 mi, then every 20,000 mi after that.

They changed the first valve adjustment to 20,000 miles. They found that at 10,000 they did not need any adjustment.

 

[vanguard138]

You da Mate, Cusso!
I spent my 60th B-Day on my motor.
Did the famous Beartooth Pass - twice!
Twas a religious experience I shall not forget.
Be 69 next B-Day and figure to spend that one "in the saddle" backwards!

I bought my first and only R3T on my 60th birthday

 

[vanguard138]

By the way, welcome to the forum from Northern Michigan. Love my R3T, especially on long trips. It is a 2013 with over 40,000 miles on her so far.

 

[C908]

Welcome C908 from Idaho. I'm short at 5' 7" too. 60 yo ain't nothing on this forum. Plenty of gray haired grandpas on this site. Some riding Rockets that are stock and some riding Rockets that are rodded out very nicely. I've made my "ripper" into a dresser sleeper. It is a 2006 standard. If you buy new today it would be the Roadster.

PS: Take your checkbook with you when you go to take a test ride.

That is a beautiful bike, I love the color! I'm looking forward to test riding the rocket. I wonder how it will feel in comparison to my Valkyrie tourer that I rode for 10 years. When I switched to my Harley Ultra Classic 5 years ago it took some getting use to. I had to change the bars and seat to make it fit me. According to the seat height specs on the Rocket I should be able to flat foot it. I did test ride the Thunderbird back in 2010 before I bought my Ultra. I liked the Thunderbird but ended up getting the Harley because the dealership is only a couple miles from my house. The closest Triumph dealers are 76 & 100 miles from my house. My Harley has been a good bike but I think I may want to try a Triumph in the near future. I love the forums where a person can learn so much about the different bikes.

 

[Bedifferent]

By the way, welcome to the forum from Northern Michigan. Love my R3T, especially on long trips. It is a 2013 with over 40,000 miles on her so far.

OMG....Get off that thing and let the motor cool down. Do you only stop for a tire change under the yellow flag? Lol

 

[BigAl1952]

Welcome from Colorado. I know one thing at 63 and after owing several Harleys I would not ever own another. Your buddies will be breaking there banks headed to the Harley store for more HP to even come close to keeping up with you. I for one was tired of walking in to the Harley shop and being told I need to do the big bore kits and cam upgrades. When you pay 20K for a bike it should already have the HP to pull out and pass someone without hoping like hell it doesn't come apart when you downshift it 2 gears to pass. Just my 2 cents worth

 

[vanguard138]

That is a beautiful bike, I love the color! I'm looking forward to test riding the rocket. I wonder how it will feel in comparison to my Valkyrie tourer that I rode for 10 years. When I switched to my Harley Ultra Classic 5 years ago it took some getting use to. I had to change the bars and seat to make it fit me. According to the seat height specs on the Rocket I should be able to flat foot it. I did test ride the Thunderbird back in 2010 before I bought my Ultra. I liked the Thunderbird but ended up getting the Harley because the dealership is only a couple miles from my house. The closest Triumph dealers are 76 & 100 miles from my house. My Harley has been a good bike but I think I may want to try a Triumph in the near future. I love the forums where a person can learn so much about the different bikes.

I am 5-7 and had my R3T lowered about an inch to be flat footed. I also put the Long Haul seat on for more comfort.