R3Touring Pics

[Sightglass]

The Rocket and any variant were created solely for the American market. What they did with the tourING is change everything a HD rider comments about. How many times have you heard, "that tank is huge" "that tire is big" "that's too much power" "it looks like it has bug eyes" from an HD guy?

I would bet that Triumph will have a part in the next CW show. They seem to be stopping all of the national RAT events so, I bet they will focus marketing $$$'s elsewhere.

Bingo !!!!!! This bike was already being drawn up 3 years ago When I was in Newnan for training on the Rocket. It was made to go after the Harley riders that want dependability, but the style of bike they are very accustomed to. Look at the style ques, and it should be evident. The bags are so Harleyesq, as is the front end with enough shiney stainless to make a small BB-Q, the display in the center of the tank, and the straight pipes.

One of the biggest complaints from my RIII riders is no quick release windscreen like Harleys, and low and behold, we have another Harleyesq feature. Down here, we expect to have the bikes sell well, and have had customers hammering us for the past 5 months about the bikes.

You folks can nit pick the hell out of the bike all day. You got your RIII for what it was, and people will buy the touring RIII for what it is. Triumph wasn't trying to convert the current RIII owners with this bike, and they will continue to build the original RIII's for those that want the more hot rod type of bike.

As for electronis cruise control......... do you folks actually have a clue on what it takes to put it on a bike ? There's two ways to do it, the most common being a transducing unit. Even the state of the art units are a bit bulky, so to go that rout, there would have to be either loss of storage space in one of the bags, much like the ABS unit that takes up space on Harleys with the system, the inner profile of the tank would hve to be changed where you would lose more fule capacity, or in a forward fearing, which the bike doesn't have.

The second way would be with a duel use stepper motor, or the addition of another stepper. To add an additional stepper, the entire TBI rack would have to be redesigned. These are design aspects that would be very costly, and it might have to have a completely new ECU. I'm not sure if it can take another function or not. It would mean getting the supplier spend a lot of time in development. It comes down to dollars and cents.

OK, now. for my impressioons having ridden the new bike. I found it more comfortable then the standard RIII. The frame and front end trail change is spot on. If you folks think this bike is for grandpa who doesn't enjoy a good twisty road, you are sorely mistaken. The bike handeled very well, and will easily drag the footboards if you have the sand............. I didn't like the fact that the bike doesn't have adjustable hand levers, but I could get use to them fast enough with my smaller paws. The new front brake master cylinder gives a far better feel at the lever then any RIII I've been on, but didn't cause the brakes to touchy. I didn't miss the HP, or notice the gain in torque to be honest. The bike will still thril you when hammered. Being I'm not a knees in the breese rider, the bear claw did anoy me, as it stick out a tiny bit farther then the tank at it's tail end. Hey, I ride a modern classic and keep my knees tight to the tank.

Overall, I think Triumph has hit the mark dead on. We have a local bike night tomorrow so I'm hoping to get some solid input from the locals, who tend to be Harley cruiser / touring riders.

Cheers

 

[Steve - Alafia]

I plan on bringing my new baby bagger beast to the Plant City, FL bike night tomorrow (btw never owned a HD never wanted one) - if anyone wants a look please advise where to meet -

 

[tdragger]

Sightglass, I appreciate your write up on the tourer. I for one look forward to seeing it in person. I think you may have read my earlier post so you understand that I am more of a touring rider than a power cruiser. I bought a Roc out of a middle-age crazy urge and have not regretted it one bit. I have, however, slowly been gearing it up as a touring bike.

The comments, or nitpicking, earlier should be considered feedback, ie constructive criticism. The bag mounts, the single headlight, those are comments from those who love the Roc and want it to succeed in both it's current market and its new market. Seriously, did Triumph marketing really find anybody that said that they would rather have a single headlight to make it look more like a Road King? The tank mounted gauges are ok and the detachable windshield is a welcome addition. All in all, it's a good first release. I hope, however, that Triumph listens to the feedback and restores some of the items that makes a Roc a Roc.

I disagree with your comments on a factory cruise control. The technology has been around since the 80' on Hondas and Yamahas. Harley and BMW added it in the 90's or earlier. It's not like its something new. Yes, there will be investment to fit it to a Roc but that is what the touring market expects. That is constructive feedback that shouldn't be ignored. It's practically a required feature as opposed to ABS, which is still maturing. I'd say potential customers would be willing to pay a reasonable price for that option. I believe the Harley option is about $300 or so. Hit that price point and Triumph would have a winner.

 

[Paul Hyland]

My oppionion

I keep hearing people compare the new touring bike with the standard R3 and hear I wish it had the twin lights like the R3 wish it had this like the R3, and quit frankly I think it is comparing apples to oranges. I don't think Triumph conceived it to be the R3's twin touring model I think they used the R3 as a bases to build the new touring model.

So I think we need to stop comparing the two as if they were to attract the same crowed.
The R3 was brought out to capture the sport crowed and power junkie and to beak into the American market. The touring model I believe is just what it is a laid back touring bike (with punch) to attract the people who just like to relax and enjoy the sights. They just used the basic design of the R3 I don't think they were changing the R3 or intended to try and convert those why like the R3 as is. It is just another choice for someone with different tastes and agendas. If you like it great if you don’t great but I don’t think we need to tear it apart or criticize it especially since as for as I know only one person on here has one.

So that is what I have to say about it. Like I said this is just my opinion and hope I didn’t ruffle anyone’s feathers. I like the original R3 but who knows in 5 years I might want something more laid back and the Touring R3 will be the first place I go.

So in closing lets just look at the new brother for what it is a Triumph touring bike not the R3’s replacement or competition. I don’t hear people comparing the Soft tail with the Road King and that is close to what we have here, in my opinion.

 

[goodfellow]

hmmmmmmmm.

welll said,Paul.

greg

 

[RHD47]

The more I look at it, the more I like it. BUT it can't compare to mine!! I'll " Go My Own Way " !

 

[Jamie]

It ain't bad. But IMO it ain't meant for current Rocket owners. Forty-some ponies are conspicuous by their removal. Even more so with 10-20% more fat to haul. Hard bags and screen and some other heavy, HD Road King-inspired stuff. Not to mention ex-factory Rivco-like exhaust flanges


Who says? An anonymous Triumph dealership principal known to me who has one Touring on factory-mandated demo and two in on factory-suggested stock. And the buying season won't start here until March-April.

That's a lot of bags to carry

 

[Jamie]

It ain't bad. But it ain't meant for current Rocket owners. Forty-some ponies are conspicuous by their removal. Even more so with 10-20% more fat to haul. Hard bags and screen and some other heavy, HD Road King-inspired stuff. Not to mention ex-factory Rivco-like exhaust flanges


Who says? An anonymous Triumph dealership principal known to me who has one Touring on factory-mandated demo and two on factory-suggested stock. Plus an unclaimed mid-2007 Classic that he keeps on moving around the showroom to make... room for the Touring's . And the buying season won't start here until next March-April.

That's a lot of bags to carry

 

[Sidecar Flip]

The more I look at it, the more I like it. BUT it can't compare to mine!! I'll " Go My Own Way " !

You need some saddlebag liners for those saggy bags.........................

 

[TxRIIIRider]

Got to sit on and check out a black and red RIIIT at our new dealership here in San Antonio today. It does have a much cushier seat, and it sits alot taller than my Rocket. Over all, I thought it was a nice looking bike, but kind of bland for my tastes.