Is the R3T really a piece of junk?

Having ridden a touring for 5 yrs with the only problem being the detent Spring I can definitively No the R3T is not a piece of junk

I love my 2014 Triumph Rocket III Touring. End of story.

I've ridden Honda's, Harleys and even a Victory. Nothing compares the size, power, torque and road presence.

And touch wood, zero problems apart from a missing rubber grommet around the ignition on delivery. Which was promptly replaced.

Below is a list of my mods.

Not to be pedantic but the original Rocket III in Durham Region was also the first Rocket in Canada in July 2004. I've since moved a bit west.

I've owned 3 R3Ts. Two were 2008s. More recently I've had a 2014.

I bought the first 2008 and the 2014 new. I bought the second 2008 used.

The rubber bushings in the handlebar mount failed on the first one and they were replaced under warranty. Aside from this, I can't remember anything else that failed due to materials or workmanship.

I am waiting for Gen II before I upgrade to a new model. I'd like to see cruise control, tire pressure monitoring, and a tachometer, and I don't expect to trade again until those features are added.

But if I did not own one today, I would be out buying a 2016 tomorrow. As long as I am strong enough to handle an 875 pound bike, an R3T will be in my stable.

I purchased my 2011 R3R last March. It was stored in a barn and only had 2200 miles on it. The original owner was afraid of it. He was 6' 4" and @ 275 lbs. WTH? Anyway, I brought it home washed it, changed the oil, took it apart to see what made it tick and put 9K miles on it without an issue at all. Well, one issue; the rear Metzler didn't last long. I have had several H-D bikes and lots of Kawasaki bikes. Every H-D has left me stranded at one point. In fact I still have a Springer that has been collecting dust since the Rocket moved in. The Rocket is by far the best overall bike I have owned. And like IMFASTOO says you can add HP without any issues and feel confident your Rocket won't let you down. I have always done my own mechanical repairs but dealers are an issue for me. The one that is 60 miles away has a limited inventory, hates to help or order anything and is focused on used cars and Suzuki bikes. The dealer that is 80 miles away has no one qualified to look up a spark plug. So I use my local Kawasaki dealer for a lot of tire changes and misc parts. I know everyone there and a few ride dirt with us. It's good to have friends at a bike shop. But feel confident that your Rocket is an awesome bike. You may experience an issue or two but it could be worse, you could have bought an overpriced air cooled V-twin.

2013 r3t bought new small stalling issue when new. Other than that maintance is the key!!!! A lot of problems come from who built your bike ( Monday, hang over). ( Friday, after lunch bike, loaded)and whom set up your bike prior to delivery!! IMHO

Eastern beavers are the fine looking women on the eastern side of the USA, within 300 miles of the coastline!!!

Good luck and enjoy!!

Tripps said:

Other than the tranny, I've never had an issue. Agree on the dealers, everyone at mine are great guys, but the work was always shoddy, I go to an independent where my buddy works, a very good lifetime bike mechanic.

My buddy applied at my dealer, they offered him $15/hour, now I know why they have no good mechanics. Their rate is $90/hr.

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THAT is A problem I have a friend that wants to pay good mechanics $12 an hour and he charges $100 and they all quit and he cant figure out why He found out the new INDIAN dealer hired them at $25 or more than double hes a greedy bastard and now hes without a mechanic I told him take care of your good mechanics make sure they are happy working for you they must make decent money so they can thrive and enjoy life if they work hard and do good job HES a greedy ******* and thats the problem with a lot of these shops thats why they dont have good mechanics at some of the dealers

And I thought Jim would have known what an Eastern Beaver was..........Not sure about a Western Beaver but im pretty sure an Eastern Beaver is furry........

1BigDog said:

And I thought Jim would have known what an Eastern Beaver was..........Not sure about a Western Beaver but im pretty sure an Eastern Beaver is furry........

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Quite a few of the western beavers are nicely tanned and furless. It is what it is.

bob

Problems that arise with the R3T, posted in these forums, are not problems every machine will experience. The incidence of them is magnified by their appearance in these forums.
That being said, the wealth of information about maintenance and repair on these pages outweighs any anxiety related to reading about the products' problems.
Some posters are very talented people who know the R3 well and offer valuable insight into what one might experience during ownership.
I've had my 14 R3T for 2 years and put only 6k miles on it. It's a honey. I rode Honda for decades because of their reputation for reliability. I ride the R3T because its thrilling.