Touring or Roadster...

Stillserving said:

The problem I have with floorboards is that I grew up in the dirt, so I'm used to riding with my feet on the pegs, ready to dodge some asshat in a cage. Unless I'm on a longer ride, then I lean back and prop them up on the highway pegs.
I LOVE this back and forth though pointing stuff out, Keep it coming....I'm not looking for a Busa or an R-1 or anything. I like playing in the twisties, but I'm not looking for a ****** rocket....Just a Rocket! I am definitely getting a Rocket, no doubts, just trying to figure which way to go. I like the idea of riding both as I can see the riding position being a good deciding point.

Thanks guys.

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The great thing I have found about this Forum is you can express your opinion on your choice of almost anything and if you keep your comments civil and respect others views and the right to express them its all good,"another" bike specific forum I was on I copped heaps for daring to have a different view to the self appointed ruling "click" and because I rode once again the Touring version of the model I was almost treated like a Leper, on your choice of model just listen to your heart you wont be sorry either way, meanwhile take in all the advice its all well meaning

Reading the different ideas we have posted on the pros for our choices for the Rocket III to ride, one thing shines. The choice is the key! You really can't pick the "wrong" one. I fell for the Rocket after riding my best friends Roadster. I had just crashed my HD Roadking. I didn't want a Triumph. Then I borrowed my buddy's Rocket. Loved it. Test drove a Rocket III Touring. I guess I bought the touring because it seemed to fit me a little better. Point is, no Harley EVER has had the response of either Rocket. Make a choice...

1olbull said:

ROADSTER!

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Touring, let good choice be it's own reward

I love my Roadster but I wish I had a touring as well for obvious different reasons. As soon as my money tree starts bearing its fruit I will have them all.

I wanted a Roadster, never really looked at the Touring. Also, couldn't afford either.

Then, the local dealership happened to have an older Touring on sale when I went to buy a pair of gloves. They'd had it for a while with a lot of interest, but no actual takers. Said everyone wanted a look, but no-one wanted something that large.

So, I took it for a ride and bought it.

It came with quite a lot - large leather tour-pack on the back, the screen, lights, PC3, Jardines pipes, highway pegs, fog lights, flashing LED brake lights on the license plate, chrome bits all over. Has pretty much every add-on Triumph sold for it. Even a flag holder.

Hated the screen all the way home. Couldn't stand not feeling the wind. Hated the footboards because they make standing harder, taking up space and I bang my shins/ankles on them.

So, I took off the screen, PC3, and extra chrome, flashed the ECU, and replaced the air filters with K&Ns.

Riding for longer distances I've learned to love the foot-boards. They could be a littler smaller, but I do appreciate them now.

Every time I now think about what I want, I end up wanting the Touring - a bike I can ride for longer, that still has the power and speed. It's a good mix.

I use my touring for two up pretty much all the time, has comfortable seat for the pillion and grunt down low right off idle, and the wide bars help at low speeds.

Two up would be the only reason I would choose R3T. Room & storage . .

1olbull said:

Two up would be the only reason I would choose R3T. Room & storage . .

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so is that three reasons?

In the choice of the Roadster vs the Touring there is no right answer. They are two completely different bikes that appeal to different riding styles. Unfortunately each will be a compromise for the rider that wants what each one lacks. Myself I love the touring because thats what I use it for. I have four motorcycles and each fulfills a different need. I consider the Roadster a hot rod bike that handles fairly well, not a touring bike at all. You could add bags and a windshield and make it b more of a touring bike but the windshield would probably be to small in the interest of looks and the bags will not let it look like a roadster and the overall weight and wide back tire will not let it ever be a great handler. Leave it stock and it looks like the bad ass hot rod that it is. Strip down a touring model and its no longer a good tourer and neither is it a true roadster. The problem with motorcycles is no size fits all, most are compromises. On another note I picked up this 1970 Triumph 650 TIGER last week. Its a four speed but I'm going to put a five speed cluster from a 72 or later Triumph in its case. I sold all my classic bikes over the last few years and now I feel the urge to play with one again.