Is my Rocket III Touring too heavy for me?

[Bedifferent]

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

It all boils down to this....I would never allow common sense to dictate how big a bike I would buy or ride. Since I have kept my bikes upright flying down the highway 99.999% of the time, having it fall over and not being able to pick it up will not be the deciding factor for what I ride. If we let common sense and smart choices rule our lives we wouldn't be riding at all. Lol

 

[IMFASTTOO]

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.

YES for sure but they roll nicely with the proper tire pressure and MOTORCYCLE tires not so good with CAR TIRES and 28 psi

 

[Gregger]

If you are having trouble lifting your ride because you are too light...... Eat More!

 

[El Toro Rosso]

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!

Why not extrapolate your theory to pulling a Tundra out of a ditch? It would seem to apply.

Note that I did not call you out on picking the bike up. Maybe you did and under those circumstances. But these are not light bikes.

My solution is to not drop it. Works for me.

 

[ricochet]

I've had my Rocket 3 for about 3 years now. I've enjoyed this motorcycle immensely. I love the size and looks and power of it. Having said that, I find that the main limitation on this bike can be its weight. I live where my driveway is unpaved and moving it around even on flat level is really difficult. Coming to certain areas of roads where its unsafe to travel can cause problems trying to turn around or backup. It handles quite terribly on dirt roads with inclines. It's a scary situation when having to deal with its direct weight on your own. I've come to accept that I may not be able to handle it with my current back and neck problems so I have my rocket for sale. I still do have 2 other bikes so its not the end of the world though!!

 

[EasTexRIII]

Why not extrapolate your theory to pulling a Tundra out of a ditch? It would seem to apply.

Note that I did not call you out on picking the bike up. Maybe you did and under those circumstances. But these are not light bikes.

My solution is to not drop it. Works for me.

You really over exaggerate the point. I deal in reality........
Yea when I tried to pull a Tundra out of a ditch it was too heavy, so I don't put tundras in a ditch - I can pick up my rocket so my theory was it's ok to own one in case it lays down........
But I'm with ya on your solution. Don't drop it

 

[Rocket3Pilot]

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!

It may have been Murphy's Law, but both times I dropped mine it was a down hill slope to th left that caused it. Put my foot down, but it was 2 inches lower than on level ground. I have Corbin beetle bags that look very cool and follow the lines of the bike, but there is absolutely NO hand hold for getting the bike back upright. It doesn't matter how big you are, the answer is "YES" the bike is too big for you! Just deal with it!

 

[EasTexRIII]

It all boils down to this....I would never allow common sense to dictate how big a bike I would buy or ride. Since I have kept my bikes upright flying down the highway 99.999% of the time, having it fall over and not being able to pick it up will not be the deciding factor for what I ride. If we let common sense and smart choices rule our lives we wouldn't be riding at all. Lol

You're right. I've been accused of lacking common sense. Don't know why I tried to act like I do

 

[Nathan Hartkopf]

I'm 5'8 140 lbs and quickly realized I had to set limits on where I park. There's no way I can push the rocket backwards up a 5% grade. It's just how it is. The only time I've dropped it is pulling a U-turn on a 30+ degree incline and falling lowside. It was a beast to lift but if you push with the hip and roll it over, it's not too bad.

I found one thing that really helps with my confidence on the rocket. There's an msf riding course in a lot about 2 miles from my house. I drop by and run it a couple of times on the weekends. The stops from a turn and Cone weaves definitely help with low speed maneuverability.

 

[EasTexRIII]

I'm 5'8 140 lbs and quickly realized I had to set limits on where I park. There's no way I can push the rocket backwards up a 5% grade. It's just how it is. The only time I've dropped it is pulling a U-turn on a 30+ degree incline and falling lowside. It was a beast to lift but if you push with the hip and roll it over, it's not too bad.

I found one thing that really helps with my confidence on the rocket. There's an msf riding course in a lot about 2 miles from my house. I drop by and run it a couple of times on the weekends. The stops from a turn and Cone weaves definitely help with low speed maneuverability.

See guys, That's what I'm talking about.... 5'8" - 140! He figured out a way with attitude power! Good on ya Nathan!

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.

Paul I certainly hope I didn't offend you with anything I said. I truly wasn't about anyone's size. I'm not that big at 5'10 - 215. No giant killer here.
I just left the gym & re-read this sign that I've read many times & it caused me to think of this post:

The part about "needing help isn't a sign of weakness" resonates thoroughly as I've been on both ends of that deal many times.
My points were directed more towards finding yourself in a position where no help is available. You need to prepare yourself for these situations so that you can find a way to overcome them.
No disrespect intended.