Is my Rocket III Touring too heavy for me?

[Bedifferent]

We're supposed to have some more rain earlier in the week, followed by a warm spell. I fully expect to get the bike out for her first ride in the new year.

I'll be looking for a report! I've been buying and making some more parts I need to start making some up. I'm pretty sure they will work on just about any bike with a windshield....especially after the set screw inserts

 

[Rick Morris]

Greetings Rocketeers!
I have been in awe of the Rocket III for years almost in the same way that I admired the Honda Valkyrie. So I decided to take the plunge and got a 2013 Rocket III Touring with 3,000 miles on the odometer. So the first weekend riding it I threw my back trying to back the bike into the garage (my driveway is almost level).

The next time I took the bike out, as I returned home and was pulling into my driveway at around 10 mph, I hit a pile of leaves and drop the bike (fortunately there was no damage). It took me about 45 minutes to pull the bike up using ropes, ratchets and my wife (haha!). I am not big but not a weakling either (5'9" and 180 lbs.).

I am starting to wonder if it is just too big of a bike for me. I was riding a Yamaha 1100 cruiser before and still have a Can-Am Spyder RT Limited. Would love to keep the Rocket but I am wondering if I would be better off with a Thunderbird Storm or something along those lines.

You are one inch taller than me and possibly in better shape based on your weight. If you have to ask this question you need a smaller bike. Man up! There is no such thing as a bike too big for you. Unless there is a bike too big for you. There is a method to picking up a bike if you dropped it that will not hurt you. google it, there are a ton of videos of tiny little girls picking up Road Kings and Electra Glides. But you really shouldn't be dropping your bike. It does happen once in a great while, and I mean in a wicked great while. Seriously a great while like never perhaps. Posting this question is suspect in fact. Hey whatever right? I pull up to stop lights on my tippy toes, I am not kidding you. I seriously dont think twice about the size of my R3R, ever! I just ride the F%^k out of it. If I were you I would never post something like this again. You are a man after all arent you. But seriously if this bike is too big, buy a Rebel 250 they are cheaper and plentiful.

 

[El Toro Rosso]

If you're having trouble keeping the shiny side up, my experience is that it is often a seat height issue more than a weight issue.

You might want to consider thicker soled boots. Or a thinner sculpting of the forward portion of the seat.

The other issue is "constant vigilance." If you are relatively new to motorcycling, you will have to learn stuff on heavier bikes than was the case when everyone's first bike weighed about 400 pounds.

I am starting my 8th season with R3Ts and my 50th season riding motorcycles on public roads. R3Ts are definitely heavy.

FWIW, there are three modern bikes that caused me low speed maneuverability problems. The Honda ST1100, and the BMW K1600 and K1300.

All of these are lighter than an R3T, although they are all plenty heavy. All three of these bikes seemed top heavy.

My point is that you can't always blame the weight. There are other factors.

Last comment: I've watched a lot of videos that show 98 pound weaklings easily picking up 800+ pound motorcycles. Note that they are always on a level surface with good friction characteristics. Throw a bunch of sand or loose gravel by the tires and put the top side downhill of the tires, and see just how much fun it is to try to get the heavy bike righted using the techniques in the videos.

 

[EasTexRIII]

Based on what I've seen here I need the bigger crash bars and rider back rest. There wasn't anything within my grasp to use as leverage while holding the handlebar with one hand.

My crash bars are standard size, had nothing to do with my ability to pick her up. I have the double seat with the backrest for the captain but like bull's video showed, you can do it with both hands on each bar end, just squat some n put that inward knee/leg into her.

 

[EasTexRIII]

The problem with all the methods for standing the bike, the demonstrations are done on pavement and level ground. In real life you are either on grass, or are very off camber when the bike goes over! Either way getting her up is twice as hard!

As I said in my earlier post, did it standing on ice & it was on a slight down grade. Sometimes you just gotta decide your ARE going to do something & just man it. If you doubt your ability to begin with, you have already lost!

 

[El Toro Rosso]

As I said in my earlier post, did it standing on ice & it was on a slight down grade. Sometimes you just gotta decide your ARE going to do something & just man it. If you doubt your ability to begin with, you have already lost!

All superheroes need a motorcycle. It's a good thing the Rocket was available when you needed yours.

 

[Joesmoe]

This social site about motorcycles is a wonderful place to be.

And I am bothered frankly by some of the posts here -- most are positive -- some might come from a drill sergeant -- and that's not what we're about.

Please pay no attention to someone who says "you can't" or "you shouldn't".

I'm not big, and not particularly strong.

Every bike I've ever had has gone down early on as I learned the particular limits and developed my technique for my strength and stature, and it was no different with my Rocket. I was a bit intimidated for about six months, and pushed through it, getting out on the bike, having more experience with where I could go, and gradually expanded my comfort zone with the bike. Even then, on a tour, this is a great bunch of riders. We went up a narrow road and it got to an impassible part where we needed to turn around, and my wife got off, and a couple of guys parked their bikes, and helped me do a multi-point turn. I would ride with them anywhere any time.

The key as one captain (we're all captains here, welcome !) said, is not so much the weight, as the seating height. That's what I found. I had a Suzuki 650 V-Strom, and a Honda ST-1300, and with neither of those bikes could I flat foot it. The Suzuki was light enough it didn't matter so much, but I was never comfortable with it. The ST-1300 was much heavier, and on anything but flat ground, it was a problem, and finally drove me to sell it. When I took the Rocket out the first time for a test ride, the key was I could flat foot it in most cases, and that has made all the difference. Everything else has been fun exploration.

Please try to hook up with other captains in your area, and you too should soon be king of the road.

 

[Bedifferent]

I agree @Joesmoe. Sometimes opinions and comments can be a little over the top and heavy handed. Fortunately, that is the exception rather than the rule. We are here to learn, help each other and offer our own experiences to our fellow riders. At least, that is why I am here.

 

[Trumpertantrumike]

Greetings Rocketeers!
I have been in awe of the Rocket III for years almost in the same way that I admired the Honda Valkyrie. So I decided to take the plunge and got a 2013 Rocket III Touring with 3,000 miles on the odometer. So the first weekend riding it I threw my back trying to back the bike into the garage (my driveway is almost level).

The next time I took the bike out, as I returned home and was pulling into my driveway at around 10 mph, I hit a pile of leaves and drop the bike (fortunately there was no damage). It took me about 45 minutes to pull the bike up using ropes, ratchets and my wife (haha!). I am not big but not a weakling either (5'9" and 180 lbs.).

I am starting to wonder if it is just too big of a bike for me. I was riding a Yamaha 1100 cruiser before and still have a Can-Am Spyder RT Limited. Would love to keep the Rocket but I am wondering if I would be better off with a Thunderbird Storm or something along those lines.

Just a thought...I've notice my Rocket is much more difficult to roll with LOW TIRE psi. That may also contribute to the leaf pile incident.

 

[EasTexRIII]

All superheroes need a motorcycle. It's a good thing the Rocket was available when you needed yours.

Awe, that's cute Red Bull. My point was that if you don't think in your mind that you can do something then you probably won't be able to. I'm a huge believer in mind over matter. Outside adversities can either destroy you or make you stronger/better. It is your ATTITUDE toward adversity that allows you to overcome it or not. NOT physical strength!
I wouldn't buy a machine that at some point could possibly lay down, only to have to carry ratchet straps & pulleys to get it back up. Common sense would dictate getting something else that you are capable of handling in case you get caught out in a situation where you can not get any help.
But yea, you can call me Spartacus, smart @ss. No, Mr Spartacus to you