Pre-purchase questions

[dd14x]

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!

 

[dfresh]

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!

I think you never know for sure when you buy used but it’s worked out well for me so far with my 2024 Rocket 3 GT. Mine had around 1400 miles on it and I got it for $20K out of the door with a 2 year warranty which helped alleviate any concerns. 5 months/3K miles later it’s still running like a champ and for me was well worth the $7K plus I saved buying used.

 

[dd14x]

Thank you - I will need to look at purchasing a warranty if I go with the used one

 

[dfresh]

Thank you - I will need to look at purchasing a warranty if I go with the used one

Mine was a demo so still came with the 2 year factory and then I added on an extended 3 year so it’s covered for 5 total. Probably overkill but I have another bike and other vehicles to maintain and I just wanted peace of mind for awhile. The extended was very reasonable in price.

 

[2023R3GT]

no difference between model other than refined electronics and lighter rims on storm/25model
maintenance is as you stated, value clearance at some point.
if you always buy new, stick to the plan
negotiate price with your dealer, especially on 23 models.
no crash guards
horn is functional albeit not great
best wishes

 

[gadget_ho]

I'll attempt to answer in order, for background I've had my R since 2021, bought it new.

1. The only changes prior to the Storm models (the current ones) were paint really, and software upgrades, although the original TFC had titanium valves to support its different tune and higher redline allegedly. They did modify some minor things along the way like the radiator cap got a lock screw, and the exhaust mid guard changed shape slightly. There have also been multiple firmware updates for the ECU, the BT module and the ABS module that I am aware of. The Storm gets lighter wheels, different paint, and a different tune. You can match the Storm tune with the free Penner tune, documented at length in this forum.
2. In over three years of ownership, I've just done standard services, and a couple of brake bleeds before Triumph did the recall to fix the rear brake. I have not experienced the cracked gauge cluster that quite a few folk have had, and that would be the most expensive "common issue" to fix out of warranty I'd imagine, as Triumph want thousands for the cluster. Most of the other issues people have reported like leaks from the rear drive, low or high oil levels etc were often bad servicing, or annoying things like indicators erroring out and coming back, key fob detection issues etc. There is a fix for most of those things, for example I got fob range errors on my first ride, but moving the key from my jeans to my right jacket pocket fixed it permanently.
3. I would not avoid a used bike from a Triumph dealer if it had a full service history and they were prepared to give you a dealer warranty for a period of time. One with high k's at some random used bike-hoarding dealer with no books or service stamps, probably steer clear.
4. When I bought mine in late 2020 it took 6 months to arrive (height of covid) and there was no bust from RRP. Can't comment on what it's like anywhere else now, but they should for sure be taking a hit on old stock. Storms have been out for only a few months, so maybe less so with them.
5. The engine is a stressed member, as in there is no lower frame, so nowhere to mount a crash bar.
6. The horn is a typically anaemic meep-meep unit, but you can swap out to a Denali mini sound bomb fairly simply.

Hope this helps.

 

[dd14x]

I'll attempt to answer in order, for background I've had my R since 2021, bought it new.

1. The only changes prior to the Storm models (the current ones) were paint really, and software upgrades, although the original TFC had titanium valves to support its different tune and higher redline allegedly. They did modify some minor things along the way like the radiator cap got a lock screw, and the exhaust mid guard changed shape slightly. There have also been multiple firmware updates for the ECU, the BT module and the ABS module that I am aware of. The Storm gets lighter wheels, different paint, and a different tune. You can match the Storm tune with the free Penner tune, documented at length in this forum.
2. In over three years of ownership, I've just done standard services, and a couple of brake bleeds before Triumph did the recall to fix the rear brake. I have not experienced the cracked gauge cluster that quite a few folk have had, and that would be the most expensive "common issue" to fix out of warranty I'd imagine, as Triumph want thousands for the cluster. Most of the other issues people have reported like leaks from the rear drive, low or high oil levels etc were often bad servicing, or annoying things like indicators erroring out and coming back, key fob detection issues etc. There is a fix for most of those things, for example I got fob range errors on my first ride, but moving the key from my jeans to my right jacket pocket fixed it permanently.
3. I would not avoid a used bike from a Triumph dealer if it had a full service history and they were prepared to give you a dealer warranty for a period of time. One with high k's at some random used bike-hoarding dealer with no books or service stamps, probably steer clear.
4. When I bought mine in late 2020 it took 6 months to arrive (height of covid) and there was no bust from RRP. Can't comment on what it's like anywhere else now, but they should for sure be taking a hit on old stock. Storms have been out for only a few months, so maybe less so with them.
5. The engine is a stressed member, as in there is no lower frame, so nowhere to mount a crash bar.
6. The horn is a typically anaemic meep-meep unit, but you can swap out to a Denali mini sound bomb fairly simply.

Hope this helps.

Thank you - very detailed! I had not read about the cracked cluster (will did into it a little, recognizing that is likely an exception. Bummer about the crash guard though

 

[dd14x]

no difference between model other than refined electronics on storm/25model
maintenance is as you stated, value clearance at some point.
if you always buy new, stick to the plan
negotiate price with your dealer, especially on 23 models
no crash guards
horn is functional albeit not great
best wishes

Thank you - wasn't sure if they are typically a zero negotiation dealer

 

[technoguppy]

My answers to your questions (they may or may not be shared by others)...

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
   1. Likely just ironed out any of the kinks of the first 3 or 4 years (i.e. back brake)
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?
   1. Expect a shop visit once a year for either oil, tires, or other. Sometimes all three.
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?
   1. Sold As-Is. If it was maintained well, it should operate just fine. I'm at 40K plus kilometres with very few issues. The ones I have had have since been resolved.
4. Are 2025/2024 R3 GTs typically sold at MSRP? Or is there typically room to negotiate? (Dallas/TX area)
   1. No idea but buying a Triumph you are likely paying MSRP unless it's been in the showroom for over a year which I suspect the R3 has not.
5. Are there any engine crash guards available for the R3?
   1. Not that I am aware of.
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?)
   1. Pretty much the first thing you change on a R3 is the horn. Fairly easy and straightforward. Just needs some creativity to use a standard car horn in place of the "meep meep" horn it comes with.

 

[dd14x]

My answers to your questions (they may or may not be shared by others)...

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
   1. Likely just ironed out any of the kinks of the first 3 or 4 years (i.e. back brake)
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?
   1. Expect a shop visit once a year for either oil, tires, or other. Sometimes all three.
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?
   1. Sold As-Is. If it was maintained well, it should operate just fine. I'm at 40K plus kilometres with very few issues. The ones I have had have since been resolved.
4. Are 2025/2024 R3 GTs typically sold at MSRP? Or is there typically room to negotiate? (Dallas/TX area)
   1. No idea but buying a Triumph you are likely paying MSRP unless it's been in the showroom for over a year which I suspect the R3 has not.
5. Are there any engine crash guards available for the R3?
   1. Not that I am aware of.
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?)
   1. Pretty much the first thing you change on a R3 is the horn. Fairly easy and straightforward. Just needs some creativity to use a standard car horn in place of the "meep meep" horn it comes with.

Thank you