Intro

[alpental]

Hey, R3Owners..I'm Brad. I have been reading the forums for about a year and hope to buy a black 2010 R3T from an Indian dealer within the next few weeks. I currently have a 2001 Yamaha Road Star 1600, and am trying to trade it in to that dealer. I love the rocket, but am still concerned about the weight. My bike weighs 137 lbs less than the rocket, and it can be difficult to back up on gravel and to balance at the top of hills where the edge of the road slopes to a ditch or gutter. I am 5'9", and about 180, and I want to do a lot of two up riding with my girlfriend. I would also like to have a trailer and hitch. I may try to go to the nearest Triumph dealer in Cincinnati to sit on a rocket before I make the drive for the one I want in Toledo. I don't know why it doesn't have a reverse gear, but any advice those of you with experience have on the weight issue would be appreciated. Thanks.

Hey Brad, welcome from sunny Southern California! Where're you from?
In addition to what everyone's said about being careful where and how you park it, you generally don't want to be in any position where you'll have to wrestle with the bike. Depending on your inseam, you may want to look into getting a lower and/or narrower seat, and/or lowering the bike an inch or so through suspension changes. That should help enable you to have complete flat-footed control. Definitely get the front dresser bars to protect your leg (and your bike) in case it falls, they're well worth the money.

 

[HansO]

welcome Brad,I'm an inch or so shorter than you best advice is to pick your parking areas carefully.just back it up carefully and you should be o-k Fingers

the boys above have summed it up, there are shorter Rocket Riders out there and "using their smarts" they don't have an issue

Welcome to the Forum you will find there are heaps of guys on here willing to help you solve any issue you may have, not to mention they are a great bunch of guys to ride with

 

[Mittzy]

Welcome Brad from one of the Aussies.

 

[HansO]

Holy Moly...I thought I might be the oldest Rocket Captain at 68 (I'll turn 69 in about three weeks), but 70 has me beat. About two weeks before I traded my Victory Kingpin in on my R3T, I dropped it twice...on the same day. Never dropped it before and didn't drop it afterwards. The culprit for the drops was my low intelligence. However, this 68 year old man did a 640 pound deadlift twice that day. I was embarrassed enough at dropping my bike and was determined that my "laughing their butts off" buddies were not going to help me. I don't have any misgivings about being able to lift my Rocket all by myself. I'll call my wife and she can come lift it.

Hey we have an 75+(have not been able to find out his exact age yet) rider here in Auss @ruzzle which can still ride the pants of much younger riders just don't call him "Old Mate" or you are likely to cop one around the ear

 

[Tirawley]

I'm from Cincinnati, Ohio, glad to hear from everyone around the globe.

 

[Wrecka]

Hey we have an 75+(have not been able to find out his exact age yet) rider here in Auss @ruzzle which can still ride the pants of much younger riders just don't call him "Old Mate" or you are likely to cop one around the ear

Haha Ruzzle should be called Grizzle

 

[idk]

G'day and welcome.

There have been a couple of 5' nothing girls riding RIII's over the years if they can handle it. . .

 

[TOMCAT]

G'day and Welcome . Plenty of blokes I know (me included) that are long time RIII Owners are under 6 foot tall and ummm .. athletically built ..ie not big fat f#ckers .. likes been said you get smart about where to park it. Riders height ain't really all that important.

 

[skydog1000]

G'day and Welcome . Plenty of blokes I know (me included) that are long time RIII Owners are under 6 foot tall and ummm .. athletically built ..ie not big fat f#ckers .. likes been said you get smart about where to park it. Riders height ain't really all that important.

LOL

 

[Boog]

Hello Brad and welcome from VA. I have an R3T and am 5' 9" as well. If you ride a Roadstar now, this will not be a big transition for you I think. Get it and learn it.