Third Rocket in 3 years!

[Bondysbike]

Not intentially but today I go to pick up my brand new 2018 ( yes...2018) Rocket Roadster. My 3rd new Rocket in 3 years. My first I bought in 2015. I was renting a house and somone broke into the garage and stole some parts. It never felt the same so traded for a 2017 when I bought my wife a Speedmaster. I achieved the grand total of 600 miles and the trailer I store the bikes in was broken into and bikes vanished. Anyway....
I read here and there a lot about how the Rocket has not been updated...how the Rocket is being caught up by competition...how the Rocket is going to be discontinued etc etc. So despite my inherent loyalty to Triumph I thought that this time I’ll really shop around. I went to HD. I tested the new models all with the top screening eagle performance mods. Well folks all I can say is...it was like ‘going to bed with ya socks on’ (if you know what I mean). The HD although supposedly updated felt VERY old tech’. My wife made a good point. The HD designs mean their bikes look good from one angle and from another terrible. She was right , it looks as though Harley get 3/4 of the way to a good looking bike and then it seems they loose the plot and stick the ugliest head light possible or wired fender etc on the bike that has zero design coherence to the rest of the bike. (eg square headlight on model full of swoops and curves...it’s just odd!)
What’s more with the HD , twist the throttle and the noise arrives but nothing else happens! I thought the Rocket was completely in a different class! At about $10,000 cheaper too!
I drove a Vmax , Honda , Indian, and then back to Harley for another go around. Guys ,my humble opinion , the Rocket is certainly at least the equal of all out there from build quality , it’s ahead in terms of performance ( by miles , Vmax was exciting but after 30 mins I was done , couldn’t imagine several hours on this) AND THE MOST IMPORTANT TEST OF ALL - WHERE THE ROCKET OUT SHINES EVERY OTHER BIKE I TESTED...At the final analysis the Rocket has the one attribute no other had...The ability to put a stupid grin on my face every single time I throw my leg over it and simply sit astride the wonderful charismatic beastly Triumph Rocket. For...It’s peerless , still.

Any ideas now on how to secure a cargo trailer!
Thanks...kooks like I’m here to stay.
PS. Luckily my dealer had just had a 2018 delivered. The web site said not available.

 

[BillyIndiana]

It is in a Class by itself.

 

[kev]

Not intentially but today I go to pick up my brand new 2018 ( yes...2018) Rocket Roadster. My 3rd new Rocket in 3 years. My first I bought in 2015. I was renting a house and somone broke into the garage and stole some parts. It never felt the same so traded for a 2017 when I bought my wife a Speedmaster. I achieved the grand total of 600 miles and the trailer I store the bikes in was broken into and bikes vanished. Anyway....
I read here and there a lot about how the Rocket has not been updated...how the Rocket is being caught up by competition...how the Rocket is going to be discontinued etc etc. So despite my inherent loyalty to Triumph I thought that this time I’ll really shop around. I went to HD. I tested the new models all with the top screening eagle performance mods. Well folks all I can say is...it was like ‘going to bed with ya socks on’ (if you know what I mean). The HD although supposedly updated felt VERY old tech’. My wife made a good point. The HD designs mean their bikes look good from one angle and from another terrible. She was right , it looks as though Harley get 3/4 of the way to a good looking bike and then it seems they loose the plot and stick the ugliest head light possible or wired fender etc on the bike that has zero design coherence to the rest of the bike. (eg square headlight on model full of swoops and curves...it’s just odd!)
What’s more with the HD , twist the throttle and the noise arrives but nothing else happens! I thought the Rocket was completely in a different class! At about $10,000 cheaper too!
I drove a Vmax , Honda , Indian, and then back to Harley for another go around. Guys ,my humble opinion , the Rocket is certainly at least the equal of all out there from build quality , it’s ahead in terms of performance ( by miles , Vmax was exciting but after 30 mins I was done , couldn’t imagine several hours on this) AND THE MOST IMPORTANT TEST OF ALL - WHERE THE ROCKET OUT SHINES EVERY OTHER BIKE I TESTED...At the final analysis the Rocket has the one attribute no other had...The ability to put a stupid grin on my face every single time I throw my leg over it and simply sit astride the wonderful charismatic beastly Triumph Rocket. For...It’s peerless , still.

Any ideas now on how to secure a cargo trailer!
Thanks...kooks like I’m here to stay.
PS. Luckily my dealer had just had a 2018 delivered. The web site said not available.

"Any ideas now on how to secure a cargo trailer!"

Introduce a Rottweiler to your cargo trailer and let him make it his home

 

[FR56]

Just recently having to sell my much loved 2014 Rocket III Roadster I relate in several ways.

In respect to engine, drivetrain, frame, and aesthetics I would eagerly buy another R3.
But Triumph's continued following the herd with respect to the front suspension/steering would make me pause.

The Rocket III is simply TOO heavy a motorcycle to be suspended by problematic by design telescopic forks and the ubiquitous Timken roller bearing equipped steering head. Even Honda after 30+years of Goldwing owners needing to perform maintenance on their steering stems every 5000 to 10,000 miles has now installed a 'Hossack' style front suspension where brake dive is non-existent and 'bearing loads' are supported/reduced by automotive style ball-joints. (Unfortunately, early reports show Honda miscalculated enough 'spring-rate' on its singular 'spring over shock'.)

I speak from high-mileage experience here. I owned a 1994 R1100S BMW with a similarly "ball-joint" supported Saxxon-Motadd(Telelever) front suspension that took me 120,000 miles before needing any new parts or maintenance. My now 11 year, 62,000+ mile old K1200R BMW with its Hossack(Duo-lever) front suspension still operates as brilliantly as it did the day I bought it.
I put only 14,000 miles on my R3 and I was looking at $600+ in steering bearings and fork seal maintenance/repair.
And every other motorcycle I've owned with 'telescopic forks' and a ball or roller bearing steering-head has required fork seals and steering bearing maintenance about every 20,000 miles.

An attractive, retro-classic styled Hossack or Saxxon-motadd suspension could surely be engineered by Triumph for the R3. Its handling at all speeds would be immensely improved, and common, expensive maintenance concerns could be virtually eliminated.

 

[Claviger]

Since you’ve already been targeted once, expect the asshats now know where to steal bikes from.

No security measure will keep a determine thief out indefinitely. My suggestion would be a dummy or real camera conspicuously placed near the trailer. A high security lock of sorts, something that cannot be drilled or cut with bolt cutters. Then a actual camera that’s motion activated, something like the Ring door bell or amazons new camera, upon detecting motion they alert you on your phone and start recording.

The lock and big camera are only there to dissuade and delay. The motion activated camera is so you can call the police and get a face shot to have them arrested.

 

[Willyone]

Good security lights, and a LOUD security system/siren that activates as soon as the trailer is entered or compromised in any way.

 

[skydog1000]

Stop renting and move to a better neighborhood

 

[cootertwo]

get a face shot, and not with a camera! What dealer did you get your's from?

 

[Steel]

Over 41,000 miles on my Roadster and no issues with steering head, or fork seals. Maybe you should stop doing wheelies

 

[TRIIICK]

What I don't understand about Harley is where they get off charging $24k for their 2018 RoadKing classic model that's almost $8 grand more than what i paid for my 2001 brand new. You ask them what they'll give you on a trade in and they give you no choice but to walk out of the door shaking your head.I love both my bikes the Rocket and the RK both have served me well. I'm a little hesitant to take the Rocket any long distances only because it's hard enough finding a dealer here at home let alone 1000 miles away

. I got stuck with a few flat tires while riding cross country on the RK once in Utah and once in St Louis both times i was back on the road with in a few hours.