Rocket lll Touring NO CONFIDENCE

[muleskinner]

Thanks for the input guys. I do appreciate a diverse group of brothers. Don't get me wrong the R3T is a great ride but being stranded three times in a short period does not fill me with confidence. I like the fact that it is not a Harley or wanna be V-twin or a overly plasticized Goldwing. I have been riding over 40 years and to quote John Travolta " I just want to ride"

FYI: I am welding the broken shifter Take a look at the very small contact area where the shifter is bolted to the shifter rod unit coming out of the engine. It is machined in such a way that the contact area is extremely small and prone to failure.I suggest building out the machined area to reinforce the shifter strength to avoid a breakdown.

Your description of the shifter piece that broke off is not clear. If you are talking about the metal mount that is welded to the pipe that is mounted to the front and rear of the engine, that the aluminum toe/heel shifter is mounted to with the one bolt, mine is different. Triumph must have changed it. Mine has a half round tube piece that is about four inches long with a flat metal tab. The flat metal tab is where the shifter pedal mount bolt mounts to. My left floor board also mounts to this half round tube. But the half round four inch long part is welded to the tube that is mounted to the front and rear of the engine by four stitch weld spots. I don't think this one would break. Clear as mud?

 

[Jim/Maine]

Hey Colorado, good to see you re-post and with a good attitude after taking a lot of heat for your previous post. Hey, you've been around for a long time and ya know how much we love our machines. Some of your problems have cropped up before (the starter switch big time, and finally, with a recall from Triumph). I've only had my R3R for 2 years and only have 12,000 miles on it but it has been problem free. Don't you just love the sound of the 3 banger -- reminds me of a turbine more than a piston engine. Feel free to vent, and to participate with this, as you say, diverse group of brothers. Some sibling rivalry for sure. Best wishes for a more dependable time ahead. Oh, guys, I do not have too many posts myself (forget how many) and I am very appreciative of all your knowledge and help!

 

[Jim/Maine]

Ahh, Colorado's just letting off some steam. Better here, than going out and taking a hammer to the ole Rocket. I hope we don't scare him off. This is a great site, and hearing about other peoples problems adds to all the great info on this site. He'll get the bugs worked out, and realize what a nice piece of machinery he has.

Could not remember your site name, but wanted to say how well you summed it up. Be a pleasure to run into you some day. Happy riding.

 

[El Toro Rosso]

,,,And then the guy with 33 posts replays pissed off about it
Sorry Toro, couldn't resist

Obviously I don't post a lot, and when I do, I don't whine about the bike.

I've been a member of this forum for a couple of years, and I've owned Rocket III Tourings back to 2010. I go through an average of two bikes a year. If I spent all my time making over 5000 posts, like some guys, I'd have little time for productive work or riding. YMMV

 

[Triple Trouble]

To fix the ignition switch problem you need to run the headlight through relays instead of putting the current through the switch. There is lots of info on the starter including putting heavier ground cables on and an inexpensive, higher powered starter. the final drive drain bolt is torqued to about 15nm whereas the fill/level bolt is 60nm which can cause breakage for the unaware. The gear shift breakage is definitely bad luck and unusual. Do a bit of research and fix the niggling stuff and enjoy.

 

[mexican]

Obviously I don't post a lot, and when I do, I don't whine about the bike.

I've been a member of this forum for a couple of years, and I've owned Rocket III Tourings back to 2010. I go through an average of two bikes a year. If I spent all my time making over 5000 posts, like some guys, I'd have little time for productive work or riding. YMMV

Ok, when i hit 6000 i will slow down and go to work, promise

 

[TOMCAT]

Obviously I don't post a lot, and when I do

I've been a member of this forum for a couple of years, and I've owned Rocket III Tourings back to 2010. I go through an average of two bikes a year. If I spent all my time making over 5000 posts, like some guys, I'd have little time for productive work or riding. YMMV

Jeez I better pull my finger out ... only 4,200 posts and 110,000 klms in my time on this forum ... and on my Rocket.

 

[CanberraR3]

I've only done 60,000kms. Pretty obvious why I guess.

 

[lionel]

Thought it was a bit rich posting up how 'crap' he thinks Rockets are on a Rocket Forum full of Owners that love their bikes like been said hard to blame any machine for what sounds a real lot like human error.

I think he needs some assurance, I've been there had an expensive motorhome that had something break and bits of bodywork fall off along the motorway, everytime we went out in it.


Hopefully he will get it all fixed and that happy feeling will come back.

 

[scot in exile]

I purchased the 2008 Triumph Rocket lll in March of 2013. Obviously used but with only 4,500 miles. It is now August 2013 and I have 9,000 miles
So far: The rear drive oil bolt broke off in my hand. It is a hollow bolt with a magnet inside. It is such a poor design that is hard to believe it is even on the bike. After having half of the bolt fall into the rear drive I was fortunate to be able to fish it out with a flexible magnet. I replaced it with a magnetized hex bolt.
The ignition switch failed which turns out to be a common problem. I spoke to T and they acknowledged the issue and spoke of a bypass to reduce current flow through the switch. The dealer doesn't even acknowledge that there is a problem (Foothills Triumph-Lakewood Colorado). The truly unbelievable reality is that the faulty switch is still in use and they will sell it to us. We did a keyless entry bypass to solve the issue after a very long and expensive tow.
The starter is now failing and must be repaired.
On my way home today the shifter broke off from where it is bolted to the engine.
This bike only has 9,000 miles on it….In another thousand I guess I will need a head rebuild. This is the epitome of “hunk of Junk”.
When I first saw this bike I was wondering why there were not zillions of them on the road as it seemed to be a viable alternative with a more classic design to the Goldwing…..NOW I know why.

The rear drive oil bolt problem was all yours and nothing at all to do with Triumph if you had researched a little bit before putting a 36" pipe wrench on it the bolt would never have sheared as it is designed to do.
The ign switch will be replaced free of charge(parts anyway) Triumph gave me the parts and my bike was three years out off warranty.
You say the shifter broke off now did it break off or did it come loose thru lack of maintenance?
Sell the bike or give it away because every time you get on it your mind will be thinking about the front or rear wheel falling off or the seat getting sucked into the air filter, buy a goldwing and enjoy that bike.
I for one would never buy a five year old bike with only 4500 miles on it that is pure and simple bike abuse, bikes are designed to be used not sit in the garage.