Roadster Review and Comparison!

[Rick McC.]

I think a lot of people see them as a luxury item but I can tell you that the ONLY near miss I've had on my bike was when I had left my indicators on and a car pulled straight out in front of me because he thought I was turning. They would have to be one of the most essential safety features and should be mandatory on all bikes. Wouldn't even need to be sophisticated like on Harleys; just a time-out if the bike's moving.

Maybe. Or maybe folks should just keep track of what they're doing; like making a turn, and turning the turn signals off afterwards (or else drive a mini van, or a geezer glide).

Rick

 

[CanberraR3]

Maybe. Or maybe folks should just keep track of what they're doing;
Rick

Sheer genius! Never thought of that.

 

[andy mack]

Recently picked up a 2011 Roadster with VERY low miles on it. Installed the back rest and sissy bar, pad and emblem. Added the Flyscreen and black teardrop mirrors. ( Pics attached ). Took it for a nice ride. Very impressed with bike. Pros: handles great, awsome power. Gets more attention than my Electra Glide!!! Cons : Should, have self-cancel turn signals, and maybe optional floor boards. To coimpare it to my Glide is like apples and oranges, but here goes. I would still prefer Harley on long ( several day ) trips, for simple fact of fairing w/stereo, floorboards and saddlebags, and I have trailer set up for hog. But any other time I'm riding the Rocket!!! I simply love this bike. Here's some pictures, all comments welcome!!

I must be missing something?? floor boards , saddle bags and trailers on a motorbike?.. maybe someone could kit it out with a glass roof or a flushing toilet!.
I respect cruiser boys but you are so far removed from what I get from motorcycles. Power and cornering are the thrill that keep me coming back . its a bit like the people that put a car tyre on the back!..Why?? why would anyone do that to a machine designed to be leaned into bends.
I love my roadster to bits but only because its naked and powerful , its quick into and out of bends and I wouldn't want it any other way.
My goal when the summer comes (if it ever does) will be to wear out the sides of my tyres before the middle , surely there must be other roadster owners who feel the same.
I'm not knocking anyone ..just trying to express my love for bikes and how the base thrill and design intention can be lost if we are not careful.
All the big bike manufactures are leaping on the traction control band wagon..again I say.. what are you doing riding a motorcycle if you are scared that the rear wheel may spin up up?..buy a car.
I had the first kawasaki zx10r.. it was without doubt exactly what I want in a bike.. it was mental , I could knock it down into 2nd doing 80 and hook the front up ..endless wheelies and nutty power..fantastic.. then .. wait for it..kawasaki released the next model but made it "softer" and more rideable .i test rode it..it wouldn't pull a greased stick out of a dogs arse!..such a shame.
I think kawasaki should have said..This bike is for good riders , if you want it for show then don't come moaning to us when it spits you off.
cd player on a motorcycle!!!! whatever next

 

[Bubz]

Well Mr Andy Mack. I hate to have to break it to ya. But you own a bloody Cruiser.
There are a lot of boys on this here forum who would no doubt ride rings around you. Yep grinding away their floorboards and all.
Do some bloody research before submitting posts like this

 

[barbagris]

.just trying to express my love for bikes and how the base thrill and design intention can be lost if we are not careful.

The R3 has Cruiser Frame and steering geometry - the fact it goes around corners at all as well as it does is frankly a bit of a miracle.

It improves dramatically if you can shorten the rake/trail by half a degree/5mm. Different shocks/tyres etc make a massive difference. BUT EVEN SO - On good tight twisty Alpine roads a nimble 80hp sports bike will leave an R3 stood still. Simply because it's designed for those roads.

Odd, I manage to shave of the front tyre sides faster than the middle - And with a CT on the rear. And sidecases, screens - footboards etc. Chassis is not the same as aesthetics.

Ride an MV-Agusta F4 HARD on the road with no traction control - I dare you. It will break free in corners.

 

[andy mack]

Well Mr Andy Mack. I hate to have to break it to ya. But you own a bloody Cruiser.
There are a lot of boys on this here forum who would no doubt ride rings around you. Yep grinding away their floorboards and all.
Do some bloody research before submitting posts like this

You missed my point I think.. and the roadster is not a cruiser , even triumph are trying to get away from that label with the roadster.
I've done loads of track days and yes people have ridden rings around me.. james haydon made me look like I was going backwards.
Your reply to my fair view is semi confrontational but I don't care..peace man

 

[barbagris]

even triumph are trying to get away from that label with the roadster.

And why they list it under Cruisers on their webs.

 

[andy mack]

The R3 has Cruiser Frame and steering geometry - the fact it goes around corners at all as well as it does is frankly a bit of a miracle.

It improves dramatically if you can shorten the rake/trail by half a degree/5mm. Different shocks/tyres etc make a massive difference. BUT EVEN SO - On good tight twisty Alpine roads a nimble 80hp sports bike will leave an R3 stood still. Simply because it's designed for those roads.

Odd, I manage to shave of the front tyre sides faster than the middle - And with a CT on the rear. And sidecases, screens - footboards etc. Chassis is not the same as aesthetics.

Ride an MV-Agusta F4 HARD on the road with no traction control - I dare you. It will break free in corners.

Thank you for your kind reply..I agree with you..yes the roadster is by definition a cruiser but triumph are trying to market it as a mental muscle bike..and thats the reason I bought it and hopefully many more converts will too. I meant no offence to the cruiser brigade.. I just expressed my view.
I can get as much satisfaction riding a 125 as anything else.. I love bikes.
Yes I agree with you anything would break free if you gave it a fistfull mid corner.
Many people would consider me shooting wild animals and fly fishing for trout cruel but thank god we are not living in iraq and as such we can speak our minds. kind regards andy.

And why they list it under Cruisers on their webs.

The official video of kevin carmichael riding the new roadster was hardly cruiser aimed but if you want.. then yes its a cruiser..I'm hooking up my caravan this afternoon.. thats a joke by the way!.
I too feel annoyed when my mates ask me why I bought a fat bit a **** with a tractor engine but again they are entitled to their view.

 

[andy mack]

And why they list it under Cruisers on their webs.

I feel bad now like I've upset my wife and I have to spend three days trying to find out why.
I really meant no insult to cruisers.
When I came onto this site and joined people were friendly and a massive percentage couldn't wait to tell me how they had glued on super chargers , with head mods and all manner of fantastic engineering feats.
I'm sorry but you will never convince me these people are pipe and slipper brigade , they obviously want power and clearly use it.
regards..andy

 

[barbagris]

Thank you for your kind reply..I agree with you..yes the roadster is by definition a cruiser but triumph are trying to market it as a mental muscle bike..and thats the reason I bought it and hopefully many more converts will too. I meant no offence to the cruiser brigade.. I just expressed my view..

Andy - No doubt - If you MODIFY IT the R3 is a brutal off the line beast. Stock imo it's a bit of a teddy bear - OK maybe a more a baby grizzly.

Many of us might appear to be potter about types - but there are several amongst us who have serious monsters. Scott (aka Warp9.9) has a 450bhp monster (yes he has proof) - a big bad wolf dressed as a wee baa lamb. Many have 240hp Carpenter beasties. Nev Lush down under has managed 170plus bhp with fairly minor mods.

Personally - I put Function before Form. So what my beast looks like reflects what tasks it has to cover. Underneath - ah now that is something else.

In general I think you'll find we're all a bit "different" - we tend to bite before we bark.