Thunderbird?

[CanberraR3]

Well, you're hugely biased. A Rocket as a lanesplitter compared to a DR-Z Supermoto isn't even comparable. I love the bike in either form, don't get me wrong, but this much bulk and heft is not ideal for nippy maneuvers in traffic. The weight difference between the standard and the touring isn't that huge.

Not biased; based on every-day (literally) experience. Let's be clear on what you mean by lane splitting. It's pretty much riding your bike down 2 lanes of relatively slow moving traffic isn't it? A Rocket's bars are not all that much wider than most other bikes and narrower than some. What's an inch or 2 anyway? "Bulk and heft" aren't an issue but the acceleration is a huge plus. If you're capable of staying out of trouble, the bikes more than capable of getting you out of trouble. If you're talking crazy zipping in and out of fast moving traffic, then I wouldn't be doing that anyway so it hardly matters.

As for marketing, Triumph should just say things like "for those who want more" and "if you're up to it". Saying a Rocket's not a beginner bike is truly stating the bleeding obvious. It's a bike for experienced riders who need to ride it frequently to be able to properly appreciate it, and not be intimidated by it. On 2 occasions my bike has tipped over (happily only gently) and on both occasions it was my fault, not the bike's.

 

[cr0ft]

Motorcycles, like life is a compromise.
Is the R3 the best commuter bike? No. Can you commute on the R3? Yes.

That was my point. It can do it, but it's not what it's for. So selling a Rocket because you want a city commuter is a perfectly valid thing to do if you really want maximum maneuverability and practicality and want to be able to easily jump curbs and the like.

Sorry I don't get the "...emphasize the scariness of the bike..."

I meant that in my opinion Triumph should focus on making the bike out to be a fire-breathing monster, emphasize the things that make it a Harley eater. Even with 230 horses the big displacement would make the bike just as ridable - but it would also give the bike enough oomph to shame something like a V-Max. That would help in the marketing, in my opinion.

 

[ricochet]

But you don't filter right? Or should I say you're not supposed to

There is no comparison between a high up and narrow supermoto and a rocket for filtering. Don't get me wrong, the Rocket is manageable at slow speeds and is nice to keep rolling on without putting your feet down but no good for getting through traffic a lot of the time.

Coming home from the British Superbike at Snetterton on Sunday there were endless queues of cars leaving the circuit that I would have had a hard job getting through on the rocket, the supermoto could go in and out lanes cutting between stopped cars and through small gaps down the middle etc with no issues

Yeah no filtering here, not even down the middle Lane or jumping the curbs, nothing. Traffic here is probably one of the most stressful part of living here but yet we can't allow bikes to filter or even let them in the HOV lanes either. We need to seriously work on our transportation rules here!

 

[DJ]

That was my point. It can do it, but it's not what it's for. So selling a Rocket because you want a city commuter is a perfectly valid thing to do if you really want maximum maneuverability and practicality and want to be able to easily jump curbs and the like.

Luckily for me I did not buy my R3 strictly for commuting. Although I do ride it to work when schedule allows.


I meant that in my opinion Triumph should focus on making the bike out to be a fire-breathing monster, emphasize the things that make it a Harley eater. Even with 230 horses the big displacement would make the bike just as ridable - but it would also give the bike enough oomph to shame something like a V-Max. That would help in the marketing, in my opinion.

Totally agree. Focusing on the fire-breathing aspect would put a dent into some of Harley's sales. However, the guys who buy a Harley because there a Harley will always buy a Harley and that's fine if that is what you want. And as Capt. Kirk was fond of saying "...Scotty, I need more power..."

 

[steve59]

Americans are idiots! we are sheep! we do what the people in front of us are doing regardless of consequences! don't believe me look around! harley is just an example of our sheep headed/herded nature we don't... oops, sorry, I almost went off again

 

[cr0ft]

Americans are idiots! we are sheep! we do what the people in front of us are doing regardless of consequences! don't believe me look around! harley is just an example of our sheep headed/herded nature we don't... oops, sorry, I almost went off again

It's not Americans, it's humans everywhere. We all want to belong to cliques and groups, we're herd animals. On this board, we're the Rocket III herd.

 

[1olbull]

I don't think it is the Rocket that brought us all together.
I think it is the what and why we bought a Rocket .

 

[DJ]

I don't think it is the Rocket that brought us all together.
I think it is the what and why we bought a Rocket .

Oh so true.
The Rocket is the common denominator for our desires.

Dan

 

[Claviger]

Old thread, but I thought this was funny yesterday, and completely captures why the R3 should be billed with much more fervor by Triumph than it currently is.

On the way to work stopped at a light. The SUV next to me edges forward, which I see in my peripheral vision, I don't turn my head and let the driver take the rocket all in. About 30 seconds later a woman's voice says " Hey nice bike. I don't really like any of the smaller Triumphs, but that is the best looking Triumph I have ever seen".

Bone stock 2014 R3R.

 

[Jeff Cameron]

Amen Brother!