Question from new buyer

[jandreu]

I'm looking to buy a new 2011 Rocket III Touring. Bike has 11 miles but has a salvage title. No damage to the bike but was at a dealer that burned. Bike has no heat damage and no damage to the paint, just needs a good cleaning. Insurance is asking around 13K, has some dealer installed goodies, I figure about $600 worth of extras, chrome mostly but has quick release passenger and drivers backrests and luggage rack, chrome engine guards, highway pegs, driving lights. No warranty and I'm on Maui so there's no dealer anyway. Bike is in OK and I'll have a friend take a look at it before I buy and ship.

My question is;
Is there anything about the Rockets in general that I should be aware of? I know I'm on a R3 forum and you guys love your bikes but all bikes have some "issues". I'm concerned as I will have no warranty and no dealer. I'm VERY mechanical and have worked on bikes most of my life.

I did look over the tech section and noted some issues but they mostly appeared to be on bikes older than 2011. Any info is appreciated and I look forward to getting to know you guys.

 

[Dennsell]

I'm looking to buy a new 2011 Rocket III Touring. Bike has 11 miles but has a salvage title. No damage to the bike but was at a dealer that burned. Bike has no heat damage and no damage to the paint, just needs a good cleaning. Insurance is asking around 13K, has some dealer installed goodies, I figure about $600 worth of extras, chrome mostly but has quick release passenger and drivers backrests and luggage rack, chrome engine guards, highway pegs, driving lights. No warranty and I'm on Maui so there's no dealer anyway. Bike is in OK and I'll have a friend take a look at it before I buy and ship.

My question is;
Is there anything about the Rockets in general that I should be aware of? I know I'm on a R3 forum and you guys love your bikes but all bikes have some "issues". I'm concerned as I will have no warranty and no dealer. I'm VERY mechanical and have worked on bikes most of my life.

I did look over the tech section and noted some issues but they mostly appeared to be on bikes older than 2011. Any info is appreciated and I look forward to getting to know you guys.

Is it in USA if so xhdskip might know some history re insurance sale..

 

[gwilliams290]

What was MSRP for the bike? The salvage title is a pretty big deal to me. Some insurance companies won't insure a vehicle, for street use, with a salvage title. The no warranty is also a pretty big deal. Not because there are any inherent Triumph problems, or issues, but that's what a warranty is for, to catch anything that might arise on a new vehicle.

The insurance company is trying to minimize their loss. They probably have around 30-50% of the MSRP in the bike, maybe less. Be very careful.

 

[GPMAZ]

I would be concerned about the salvage title. Absolutely check with your insurance company first. Also, unless you plan to own the bike for a very long time, resale is also an issue. While you know first hand the circumstances surrounding the salvage title, the party you will be trying to sell the bike to won't.

As to issues, nothing that I can think of. I have 25K on a 2008 and have had no problems.

 

[xhdskip]

Jandreu,
I know the very bike you're talking about.
I went to the dealers the morning after the fire
and tried to make them a package deal on all the Triumphs right then,
the insurance guy said they were gonna crush them.
Probably to break my heart and get me out of his hair about it.
There was 2 or 3 still unassembled and still in the crates.
There was 2 or 3 on the showroom floor when the parts dept.
caught fire from a battery tender.
The guy is right, absolutely NO damage to any of them.
they weren't close to the fire, and didn't even get wet
from the fire dept. putting out the back of the building.

now I know nothing about the title part, but I can safely say the bike is alright.

If ya come after it, you can stay at my house,
we'll ride down there an look at it before ya toss em a check.
skip

Oh yea, almost forgot to mention,
the escorted rides they take folks on,
the "demo" rides, are about 5 miles long,
so yours has probably been riden twice.

 

[tdragger]

Jandreu,
I know the very bike you're talking about.
I went to the dealers the morning after the fire
and tried to make them a package deal on all the Triumphs right then,
the insurance guy said they were gonna crush them.
Probably to break my heart and get me out of his hair about it.
There was 2 or 3 still unassembled and still in the crates.
There was 2 or 3 on the showroom floor when the parts dept.
caught fire from a battery tender.
The guy is right, absolutely NO damage to any of them.
they weren't close to the fire, and didn't even get wet
from the fire dept. putting out the back of the building.

now I know nothing about the title part, but I can safely say the bike is alright.

If ya come after it, you can stay at my house,
we'll ride down there an look at it before ya toss em a check.
skip

Oh yea, almost forgot to mention,
the escorted rides they take folks on,
the "demo" rides, are about 5 miles long,
so yours has probably been riden twice.

Hey Skip, did they have any Speedmasters? Where can I find the insurance company listings?

 

[xhdskip]

yea, James they had a couple of speedmasters, Americas,
just regular Bonne's and speed triples, Tiger, a scrambler or two,
but only 1 T-bird, & 3 rockets, one still in the crate.
one touring, and one standard or roadster, not sure now,
but it was black I remember that.
Yea I think that's all, 11 or 12 on the floor and a few still in the crates.

 

[jandreu]

Jandreu,
I know the very bike you're talking about.
I went to the dealers the morning after the fire
and tried to make them a package deal on all the Triumphs right then,
the insurance guy said they were gonna crush them.
Probably to break my heart and get me out of his hair about it.
There was 2 or 3 still unassembled and still in the crates.
There was 2 or 3 on the showroom floor when the parts dept.
caught fire from a battery tender.
The guy is right, absolutely NO damage to any of them.
they weren't close to the fire, and didn't even get wet
from the fire dept. putting out the back of the building.

now I know nothing about the title part, but I can safely say the bike is alright.

If ya come after it, you can stay at my house,
we'll ride down there an look at it before ya toss em a check.
skip

Oh yea, almost forgot to mention,
the escorted rides they take folks on,
the "demo" rides, are about 5 miles long,
so yours has probably been riden twice.

Thanks, I gave them a low ball offer, which they turned down, it will cost me an extra 2K or so to get it shipped to Hawaii plus the title issue even though it's new I'm taking a risk with no warranty and no dealer, sight unseen, so I offered around 50% off retail. I do appreciate your confirmation above it does ease my mind a little.

Here's a link to the site.
items in Sooner Surplus Salvage store on eBay!

I'll keep looking, the R3T fits my need well. I like my Nomad but it just has no power and no way to modify with out spending way more $ then I want.