Intro

[Tirawley]

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.

 

[Fingers]

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

 

[1olbull]

WELCOME to the horde!
Think ahead about what you intend to do and you shall be OK -
your size is NOT the factor, your smarts are.

 

[skydog1000]

You will be fine. Just listen to the FATBOY right above. Let me give you a great big welcome from BUG TEETH

 

[Old Gringo]

Welcome and good luck in finding the right bike.

 

[Tirawley]

Thanks everyone

 

[TURBO200R4]

welcome from arizona
you don't want to back it up on gravel. i think that my age is the biggest problem (70) my balance is not as good as in my younger years. it is a heavy machine and if it gets to far over you won't be able to stop it. i put the bars on mine and have let it go over a few times once with my wife she hurt her foot (i think she cracked a bone) tell them to make sure not to get there feet under the bike if it goes over.
just be cautious and you will be alright.

 

[RKTNMYPKT]

You'll quickly learn when and where you can get into trouble and what to avoid.
I've been on a Rocket for 7yrs now, I dropped it twice in the 1st year and haven't dropped it since.

 

[Tirawley]

Thanks everyone

 

[Old Gringo]

welcome from arizona
you don't want to back it up on gravel. i think that my age is the biggest problem (70) my balance is not as good as in my younger years. it is a heavy machine and if it gets to far over you won't be able to stop it. i put the bars on mine and have let it go over a few times once with my wife she hurt her foot (i think she cracked a bone) tell them to make sure not to get there feet under the bike if it goes over.
just be cautious and you will be alright.

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.