Pre-purchase questions

I made the exact same move.

dd14x said:

Hello, I currently ride a 2019 HD fatbob 114, and am looking to switch to a Rocket 3 GT. A few questions that hopefully some of y'all would be able to help answer

1. Any significant difference between a 2023 and 2024/2025 models? 2023 seems to have about $4k off MSRP and some dealers have a few new 2023 available
2. My current ride has been fairly trouble free - regular oil changes and that's about it (about 20k miles on it). With R3, it looks like I will need valve clearance check (and adjustment if needed) after 15-20k miles (in addition to the oil changes). Other than that, any other maintenance that I should be aware of? Any common issues that I should be aware of?
3. There are a few 2022/2021 model used R3s available with under 6k miles - prices around $13-16k. Should I steer away from those? I've never bought a used motorcycle (the HD, the CBR600 and other bikes) - is the R3 built well enough to handle potential abuse in the first 1k miles etc?
4. Are 2025/2024 R3 GTs typically sold at MSRP? Or is there typically room to negotiate? (Dallas/TX area)
5. Are there any engine crash guards available for the R3?
6. How anaemic is the horn? (Assuming it is like every other motorcycle out there, how easy is it to add a high-low combination pair of horns?)

Thanks!

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I made a similar move, from a Street Bob 114. I went from two Harleys to two Triumphs mainly because I tried to pick up a Low Rider ST, but they tried to fleece me for $6,000 over MSRP, so I said "screw it" and decided to give Triumph a try.

1. None other than paint, excluding the "tune" on the Storm.
2. Both of my Triumphs are noticeably lower on the quality scale compared to the Harleys I've owned, mainly around electronics and materials, but I'm used to that in Euro bikes. But there's nothing that's a deal-breaker. Because the Rocket was designed around the engine, some regular maintenance is far more involved (such as air filter refresh), and you'll also have the addition of water cooling. But nothing too bad beyond what you noted.
3. I have no feedback, as I avoid buying used under any circumstances.
4. I got my 2024 at MSRP.
5. Yes, there are crash guards, but honestly they look like they'd do little and even put your bike at additional risk of damage. But that's pure opinion.
6. The horn is ****e. Get at least a Sound Bomb Mini (if you don't want to do any wiring) or something better.

Interesting to read about the electronics - my Harley has almost no electronics to speak of
Agree on build quality though - HD is really built well

Most of your points have been well covered. I had the last gen Rocket and when they came out in 2020 with the new one, I was very tempted but thought I'd wait to pick one up used as I was looking at close to $30k out the door at the time. I still was interested in one so I kept my eye open and started seriously looking again about 6 months ago as I had bought some other bikes that I wanted more than new Rocket.

I found a very clean, less than 1k miles, 2022 for a very good price and negotiated and even better one at the dealer. It was at a Harley dealer and I got it for under $15k out the door. That was very close to half the price of what the local dealer was asking for a new one out the door. I can leave with the slightly heavier wheels. There have been numerous updates and they did the electronic updates they had service bulletins for and improved the back brake feel with the latest update.

For me, the right choice was a barely used bike at a great price. I then added a different muffler (huge weight savings and cuts down massively on the heat), heated grips (I have the R model), quick shifter (that should have been on from the factory), Corbin seat, 2 windscreens and some other mods, and couldn't be happier. The pile of cash I saved vs new should cover any major issues I have and I picked up an extended warranty to further limit my risk. My all in total at this point is 18.5k and my warranty is good for another 5 years as the factory just expired. The additions made a great bike even better.

Apparently triumph has a $4k incentive to clear out new 22/23 inventory - along with some motivated dealers offering some additional $ off, there are $19k new ones out there now (out of state though) There is one used (6k miles) close by - will see if they are willing to drop the price to close to 15k (and buy extended warranty on it)

What muffler did you get? Is it just a slip on? Or a full exhaust system?

dd14x said:

Apparently triumph has a $4k incentive to clear out new 22/23 inventory - along with some motivated dealers offering some additional $ off, there are $19k new ones out there now (out of state though) There is one used (6k miles) close by - will see if they are willing to drop the price to close to 15k (and buy extended warranty on it)

What muffler did you get? Is it just a slip on? Or a full exhaust system?

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There are no off-the-shelf "full" exhaust systems including headers for the updated R3. Anyone with a full system has had it made for them. And it's impossible to match the look of the hydroformed factory parts with welded components, so the look is... well, suboptimal. The most popular aftermarket exhausts are from well known brands like Zard, Vandemon, Competition Werkes, Ixil, there's one from a Thai company called BugBike and a few others. The Vandemon one even has an active valve option.

They all range in price from relatively expensive for what you get to "OMG-how-much-did-you-say?" Another popular option is what has become known as the Meerkat Mod, which was a method pioneered by Meerkat Mufflers in Queensland, AU where you cut holes into the cat box and remove some internal plumbing to open up the stock exhaust then weld the holes shut again.

gadget_ho said:

There are no off-the-shelf "full" exhaust systems including headers for the updated R3. Anyone with a full system has had it made for them. And it's impossible to match the look of the hydroformed factory parts with welded components, so the look is... well, suboptimal. The most popular aftermarket exhausts are from well known brands like Zard, Vandemon, Competition Werkes, Ixil, there's one from a Thai company called BugBike and a few others. The Vandemon one even has an active valve option.

They all range in price from relatively expensive for what you get to "OMG-how-much-did-you-say?" Another popular option is what has become known as the Meerkat Mod, which was a method pioneered by Meerkat Mufflers in Queensland, AU where you cut holes into the cat box and remove some internal plumbing to open up the stock exhaust then weld the holes shut again.

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I was just curious about the exhaust because of the potential to reduce heat I don't really care for high sound level

dd14x said:

I was just curious about the exhaust because of the potential to reduce heat I don't really care for high sound level

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There’s always this:

dd14x said:

I was just curious about the exhaust because of the potential to reduce heat I don't really care for high sound level

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YMMV, but this is the hot spot where I think I get most of the heat on my legs:

Well crap... Right as I got everything finalized, the dealership told me they were mistaken and cannot provide a heel-toe shifter - it doesn't exist. Due to ankle issues, that is a must have for me
I guess I could risk it and try to get one fabricated - but need the bike to test whether it will work or not.

Guess I am riding my HD for the foreseeable future! Big heavy sigh

Thank y'all for helping answer my questions

People with one leg mod their bikes with thumb operated shifter. Anything is possible if you want the bike