Touring or Roadster...

[Mike188]

Welcome to the mad house, as others have said sit on them both and go from there.
I have the roadster, addedthe backrest and bags.

 

[cusso ken]

You would be lucky to get an unbiased opinion on what is better the Touring or the Roadster from a person who has already made their choice and purchased either model, the difference in "performance " can be overcome easily with a bit of remapping and "handling" I have not found any problems keeping up with the Roadsters I have ridden with, I am used to riding behind my mates Sports bikes including the turbo Busa and that is where the handling gap between Rockets and the sports bikes is painfully evident,

 

[Idaho Red Rocket 3]

Buy the Roadster. Dress it up and you have the best of both worlds. I cruise and tour all day and I ride it like a sport bike through the twisties in the canyons and mountains. Even been to a track day.

 

[Jag]

Their is no utopia as with any motorcycle, everything is a trade off. Once you feel the power, torque, and handling of the rocket all other ( large cruisers) bikes will feel inferior. So go test ride one, and bring your checkbook, because I know you will want to take it home with you.
Try to negotiate the price before the test ride, because once you get back you'll agree to anything to drive it home!!

Good luck on your quest and I'm sure you will be happy with whatever model you choose!!

 

[scot in exile]

I still have awhile until I am seriously in the market, but have been to the dealer sizing both of these bikes up. (Either way it WILL be one of these 2). Now comes the dilemma: R3R or R3T?

Here's where I look at each:
R3T
Like the bags/windscreen (may even want to put a fairing and trunk on it)
Dislike the floorboards, heel/toe shifter, tank mounted gauges wider looking/feeling gas tank.

R3R
Like the footpegs, like the looks better (tank, headlights, sportier look), handlebar gauges
Dislike the lack of bags and windscreen, needs passenger backrest.

I mostly ride year round, commute and whenever I can. Usually don't have a passenger (wife won't ride) but my live-in 16 y/o niece does. Because I ride a lot, I love having a windscreen and need bags for all weather gear/ emergency items.

How 'bout some comments helping me narrow down which model from you R3 pilots out there....... (I know this is in the R3T forum, so it may be skewed in that direction-may eventually ask the same question in the R3R forum also).

You answered your own question as you like a wind effin shield and bags please do not buy a roadster and make the bike any more uglier than it is stick with the R3T

 

[IMFASTTOO]

You answered your own question as you like a wind effin shield and bags please do not buy a roadster and make the bike any more uglier than it is stick with the R3T

They are both good looking bikes but the Roadster is a better bike period

 

[Big Gun]

Welcome,
Both are great bikes.
For me I went with the Roadster and added stuff to make it more long haul worthy. Actually, I found a used one and let the other guy pay for some of the extra needed parts.

 

[Rick Morris]

Welcome from Cape Cod. It really is based on your riding style and comfort level. The R3T can obtain similar performance as the R3R with a tune. Handling between the two is different due to tire size and riding positions. I have an R3R and I ride it like a muscle cruiser or a standard sport bike. I would love to have a touring for two up and long rides. I had ideas to add bags and a tour pack to my R3R but I just cant do it. I ride this bike to aggressive for that and I like the looks of it just the way it is. I am looking for a R3T now and I will add a fairing and a tour pak to that. I dont think this really helps answer your question. But think of it this way, I have had a 2 Valkyrie Interstates and one H-D dresser and I am looking for a R3T not either one of those to add as a touring bike. In fact unless I came across another Honda or H-D for super cheap money I wont buy another. In other words, until I find a bike that does what the Rocket can do and at the price it will do it for. I will stick with Triumph.

 

[cusso ken]

Welcome from Cape Cod. It really is based on your riding style and comfort level. The R3T can obtain similar performance as the R3R with a tune. Handling between the two is different due to tire size and riding positions. I have an R3R and I ride it like a muscle cruiser or a standard sport bike. I would love to have a touring for two up and long rides. I had ideas to add bags and a tour pack to my R3R but I just cant do it. I ride this bike to aggressive for that and I like the looks of it just the way it is. I am looking for a R3T now and I will add a fairing and a tour pak to that. I dont think this really helps answer your question. But think of it this way, I have had a 2 Valkyrie Interstates and one H-D dresser and I am looking for a R3T not either one of those to add as a touring bike. In fact unless I came across another Honda or H-D for super cheap money I wont buy another. In other words, until I find a bike that does what the Rocket can do and at the price it will do it for. I will stick with Triumph.

About 50% of my riding is two up ,plus we visit Relatives in Qld three or four times a year, a 12hour ride each way ,no way would we be comfortable on a Roadster the big touring is a very stable motorcycle for two up riding
if I wanted a "sports style" bike I would be looking at a big Japanese sports bike with power and handling to suit that style of riding but for a long haul two up the R3T is the one and looks great as well

 

[Bedifferent]

Buy the Roadster. Dress it up and you have the best of both worlds. I cruise and tour all day and I ride it like a sport bike through the twisties in the canyons and mountains. Even been to a track day.

Really Sharp Bike @Idaho Red Rocket 3...If I could have bought the roadster that way it might have been my choice as the wife doesn't ride. You've done a lot of nice work!