R3 Owner feedback please

I'm seriously considering a R3 Roadster or a BB T-Bird. Will be test driving in a week or two.
Two past engine issues reported with R3 concerned me. Cam gear failure and final drive bearing failure. Were they certain years only and have they been addressed? I'm looking at 2010-11 R3 Roadsters.

Thank you
John

If you look back at issues with Harley Davidson, Honda, Yamaha etc... and based your purchase solely on whether or not problems in past caused failures or inconveniences nothing would ever sell. Things break.
In this age nothing is made to last ... I just repaired my Ryobi line trimmer by using parts from another similar model. It failed only because they didn't take the time or extra expense to use thread locker during assembly. The **** screws holding the secondary ignition coil in place vibrated loose allowing it to self destruct against the flywheel. A totally preventable failure that would have cost pennies during assembly to insure it never happened.

My point is that until a machine fails and is fixed correctly to last and not fail in that area again, the possibility constantly hangs over your head. Your decision to buy a late model should come with the piece of mind that anything that was an expensive thorn for triumph, has been addressed by now. I hope I don't sound like a mechanical preacher, I don't mean to. To put your mind at ease, there were problems in the past that Triumph has addressed in later models ... unless bad luck comes to play you should be safe with a 2008 or later. Personally, I don't like Roadsters because of their ECM programming and difficulty making performance modifications ... I like 2008's and 09's. In the next year or two, those will have the mod-bugs worked out and all will be right with the world again.

Take the plunge, get what turns you on and can comfortably afford. There are plenty of well cared for used bikes out there too. Spend every waking moment here reading everything you can about R3's and save up as much money as you possibly can. Because no matter what you plan now, once you own a Rocket and find out there is more they've left on the table that you can have easily ... you are screwed!!
Addiction happens way to easily around here. LOL

Don't hold this post against me ... I'm bored and like this bike a great deal.

Welcome aboard, I am sorry for what will become of you once you own one ...

Yup, what he said.

Hey, Hellfire, I'm watching you. Keep going like you are and you'll hit 4,000 posts by Labor Day.

HellFire said:

Don't hold this post against me ... I'm bored and like this bike a great deal.

Click to expand...

dandiego said:

Yup, what he said.

Hey, Hellfire, I'm watching you. Keep going like you are and you'll hit 4,000 posts by Labor Day.

Click to expand...

****, I talk too much ... or I'm unemployed and have nothing better to do. lol

More like I'm slightly obsessed with R3's and like to help.

I have an 06 Classic with a turbocharger. If there was a way to add extra stress to engine parts my bike would be the poster child. I don't run WFO all the time and I haven't had the problems you've mentioned. By the same token I've seen the top side of 130 many times. Very quickly! I keep up with recommended maintenance and pay attention to how she feels when I ride. No problems to date with just over 10k miles.

Your year choices lead me to believe that your looking at new and not used. There will be a warranty to look after problems and almost every conceivable major issue has long been found and fixed.

Ride them both and take home the one that makes you smile the most. Good luck.

Thank you all for the good advice, test rides hopefully next week.

John

Be careful about what you internalize about problem reports. Most forums are littered with problem bikes, but when you look at the volume of bikes sold to bikes with issues, it's pretty even regardless of make. Triumph has supported the Rocket very well and continues to do so. All of the early model year problems are now sorted so only fresh problems seem to crop up (like alarm systems disabling the ignition at highway speed). Only heard that from one so far so I wouldn't call it an epidemic just yet. My 05 (purchased new 11/06) didn't come with an alarm system so I'm not concerned. After 33K miles it's still pulling like a freight train and starts even cold with the 2006 OEM battery still installed.

Hope you get the RIII.
After all, since you've taken the initiate to investigate it before your purchase,
you'll get it.
I myself screwed the pooch on that one.
I took a test ride on the first one I ever seen.
That's the one I bought..
Then started learning about it...
Had to buy all new tools, (metric).
But other than that I still feel like I made the right choice,
even after my output shaft bearing went out after 6 weeks of ownership..
would I ever downgrade to another harley.....
yea, right, not in this lifetime....
when you take your test ride, take your checkbook, just in case.

BTW, Welcome to the site.

Prepare to deal with any problems on your own. Triumph turns a blind eye on mechanical issues that they might have to issue a service bulletin on, in other words, they don't stand behind their product if it might cost them. Just my two cents worth. I actually looked at a Road King yesterday due to Triumph's refusal to address the paint can rattle which is caused by THEIR defective part and design. Yes, I am that pissed off with TRIUMPH USA. Jerks.

I don't think it's Triumph as much as it's Triumph USA dealers not giving a ****. If you contact Triumph directly and have them TELL the dealer what they are going to do... things work out well. Expecting the lazy good for nothing stealers to go the extra foot for you is asking too much of the money grubbing sh*t-heals. Those are the types that treat their Honda, Yamaha and Bombardier customers just the same way.