Rocket 3R vs Rocket 3 2018

[Forrest]

Suntosh,

The Carpenter 240hp kit does exactly that. The engine head had work done to it to where with open stacks, oxygenated gas, at sea level with a tune, it can put 240+ rear wheel horsepower down. A bunch of folks here have one of the Carpenter kits or the goodies from Neville Lush Racing. You'll net similar power from either depending on what you're after. They're a riot. My goal is to never not own a Carpenter rocket. I even got my pops to get one!

 

[Forrest]

Since we are talking upgrades here is what I found at Carpenter Racing : A 2017 + 265 Carpentr eventually Vs new Rocket 3 GT

265+ Horsepower Package
The Ultimate Everyday Rider

This is our latest excercise with the Rocket III.
It is the ultimate in street performance while still being and everyday rider.
This package includes everything in the 240+ package plus:
• Updated clyinder head
• Large titanium DLC-coated vlaves
• Aluminum-Bronze valve seat inserts
• Larger intake cam with bored tappet holes and larger tappets
• Includes our exhaust system (choose Street Rod or Sidewinder, Polished or Plain Stainless Steel)

Drive-in, Drive-out
$10,400​

Bob does not actually offer the entire 265hp kit anymore. With that kit you quoted, he does most of what is listed with the exception of the full radius valve job, and larger valved. He calls the newer kit "more like a 255 kit." You would cream your jeans with his lowest level kit, ask anyone here who has one. They're all brilliant.

 

[suntosh]

Suntosh,

The Carpenter 240hp kit does exactly that. The engine head had work done to it to where with open stacks, oxygenated gas, at sea level with a tune, it can put 240+ rear wheel horsepower down. A bunch of folks here have one of the Carpenter kits or the goodies from Neville Lush Racing. You'll net similar power from either depending on what you're after. They're a riot. My goal is to never not own a Carpenter rocket. I even got my pops to get one!

 

[suntosh]

I am assuming all these hacks are possible due to the more mechanical nature of the older Rocket 3. The newer ones haven't really been hacked yet. Also what is it about these Carpenter Upgrades that make it an everyday rider - like saying without it , Its not

 

[Forrest]

That's correct. Bob says he's only done some minor modifications on the 2020+ rockets and it's a real PITA. Nowhere near as easy to mod than the older ones.

What Bob is saying is that even with bonkers power, the bike can still be civil during regular street riding. The guy builds drag racing engines for a living, so with that said, some of his kits for other bikes are not recommended for street use. All his Rocket packages are just fine for the street.

 

[Stillserving]

Let me start by saying I do NOT have a 3, mine is a '17 III. All I have ever done WRT a new one is swing a leg over one at a dealer.

As mentioned earlier, I think the biggest difference is analog vs. digital. If you're more "old school" then the 2.3 is probably more what you're after, "new school", I would think is the 2.5.

 

[suntosh]

That's correct. Bob says he's only done some minor modifications on the 2020+ rockets and it's a real PITA. Nowhere near as easy to mod than the older ones.

What Bob is saying is that even with bonkers power, the bike can still be civil during regular street riding. The guy builds drag racing engines for a living, so with that said, some of his kits for other bikes are not recommended for street use. All his Rocket packages are just fine for the street.

This what my concern with electronic bikes is. It should'nt be like you pop a fuse that leaves you stranded in the middle of a desert. I have always loved mechanical bikes. That being said wrenching on a mechanical bike is a dying skill. I wonder who there is after Bob's long gone.

 

[Dr.D]

If you know you are going to modify a bike extensively then you must go with the 2.3 because it can be done at this time. The 2.5 feels like it does not need much and a Penner tune will wake it up.

Before you modify an engine you need to be clear about what kind of power profile you are looking for. The older Gurus recommended a torque build for me since i live in the mountains and it has been the best choice for me. The higher HP carpenter bikes need to rev quite a bit higher rpms to get that max number you are lusting for. I rode one bike that needed to get over 4500 rpm to really feel like it was awake. At 7000+ things got real. The bike I own get good power from 2200 and up to a max rpm of 7250 with no drop off at the rev limiter.

I need a qualified Rocket captain to come over to my house so we can race my two bikes side by side a few times and see how they fare. Anybody wanna come over?

 

[suntosh]

If you know you are going to modify a bike extensively then you must go with the 2.3 because it can be done at this time. The 2.5 feels like it does not need much and a Penner tune will wake it up.

Before you modify an engine you need to be clear about what kind of power profile you are looking for. The older Gurus recommended a torque build for me since i live in the mountains and it has been the best choice for me. The higher HP carpenter bikes need to rev quite a bit higher rpms to get that max number you are lusting for. I rode one bike that needed to get over 4500 rpm to really feel like it was awake. At 7000+ things got real. The bike I own get good power from 2200 and up to a max rpm of 7250 with no drop off at the rev limiter.

I need a qualified Rocket captain to come over to my house so we can race my two bikes side by side a few times and see how they fare. Anybody wanna come over?

Please please do not hijack the purpose of this post. but I am trying to soak as much as possible. The other alluring thing about the TFC is the shorter wheel base definitely helps in handling.

 

[Dr.D]

Please please do not hijack the purpose of this post. but I am trying to soak as much as possible. The other alluring thing about the TFC is the shorter wheel base definitely helps in handling.

Wow Hijack?? I'm out.