It was a beautiful day in Tucson yesterday so I went for a little jaunt on my Speed Triple. "Somehow" my bike just found its way to the local Triumph dealership. What perfect timing, it turns out! They had just put a Rocket 3 R on the floor (black, @dilligaf!) and there was a GT in the back having it's computer brain downloaded. Holy moly! This bike is even more gorgeous in person than in all the photos and videos I've seen. I was lucky enough to be the first customer to throw a leg over the R on the showroom floor. Ooooh, I am smitten. But there's no room at the Sandi T/Mr. Sandi inn unless I trade something else. Sigh........ A HUGE congrats and "way to go" to those of you on the forum who either have one of these babies or have one on the way. The paint on this bike is amazing and the fit and finish incredible. It is absolutely stunning. I am hopeful that my dealership will get enough of them that they'll set one up as a demo. I think I'm a capable enough rider to ride it. But then again, the stats are unreal in terms of HP and torque. My dealership buddy, Cody, who escorted me around on my Speed Triple test ride a year ago, said that he rode the R on a short "setup" ride and that it is truly a beast, like nothing he's ever ridden before. He also said that even with the fat tires both front and rear, the bike handles really well. Then Cody informed me that they had a GT in the back on the computer and invited me to go back there with him to check it out. That's Cody with the red beard holding the GT's seat. Interestingly, there was an older Rocket model in the service bay next to the GT. They look SO very different! My dealership salesman, Bruce, said that both the R and the GT have deposits down on them already so they are effectively sold. But evidently they have more coming in. I shared these photos with my riding buddies this morning over breakfast--particularly our friend who has a 2008 Rocket. I relish being a bad (or perhaps good?) influence. At my Triumph dealership the going price for the Rocket 3 R is $21,900 and the GT is $22,600. Sooooo tempting! But then, riding that beast might just be tempting...fate!
Great photos and write up Sandi. Could you get it off the side stand. I sat on the old model and couldn’t so no test rides for me. I’d love to test ride one but sadly they’re just too heavy. If they came with a reverse gear like the Gold Wing or the 6 cylinder Beemers it would make it more manageable. The new Rocket does look awesome though. Here in the Netherlands where everything is more expensive than anywhere else the price for the bike starts from 26200 Euros for the R model and 27200 for the GT.
Thanks, @BonnieCat! It was fun to see the new Rocket 3's and to get to sit on the R model They seem very different than the previous Rockets. It was amazingly easy to get the bike of the side stand. It just popped right up. A very light and easy pull to upright. Easier actually than any of my current bikes including my Speed Triple! And I can easily flat foot it. Ergonomically I'd say the thing that fit me the least well was the handlebar--on the R version at least as I didn't get to sit on the GT model. I was a bit stretched out. In terms of the weight of the bike, I looked up the specs and the dry weight according to the Triumph Motorcycle website is 642 pounds. I couldn't find a wet weight but I'd say it would still be shy of 700 pounds. My heaviest bike (H-D Road Glide Special) weighs 850 so the Rocket 3 is well under that. That said, I've often wished I had a reverse on the Road Glide! And, yes, the bike really does look awesome. The finishes are absolutely beautiful. Just the right amount of brushed metal finishes combined with some chrome and rich, juicy paint jobs. Gorgeous. But I guess you're paying for all that (not to mention that glorious engine!) I just converted the prices in Euros that you noted into dollars. Yikes!
Ha, you shouldn’t have told me that the bike popped right up off the side stand, This could mean a test ride and a real danger to my bank balance. In the Netherlands bikes and cars are subject to a so called Luxury tax. This tax is effectively the same as the VAT (sales tax for you US folks). So we end up paying 2 lots of VAT. It’s a complete con and highway robbery. If you try to buy in a different country like Germany where prices are much better the Dutch Tax authorities will still demand this tax when the car/bike is imported back to this country.
Further to this I am in agreement with @Sandi T. with regards to getting it off the side stand It really does just pop upright off the stand almost as if it’s got some sort of gyroscope assistance It’s a lot easier than NUDGER
What a stunning machine! VERY TEMPTING... But I love my Fat Bob (and the dealership too...) and already put so much aftermarket money into it; so I‘ll keep it for a while (yeah! no question. i‘ll keep it. won‘t i?) Anyway, looking forward to sitting side by side next to one at the traffic light and do a little rumbling... EDIT: Just checked the prices here in Germany: 22.750,-€/25.400,-$.... The Bob + the Husky would do it... Noooo, Daniel! Keep strong! Noo! Noo! Don‘t take the car-keys... The dealer!? Wooohooohh...
You do look good on that bike SandiT. It appears for a change we are not getting shafted in Australia converts to about $20,700 US at (.69c aus for your $) and only $690 US for the GT. Your may get more goodie on US model though.
Sandi T Poor Dilligaf is still waiting. You should have sent one back for him. And I agree with Steve James. You sure do look as cool as a Cucumber on that monster. Great pictures and write up as usual. Regards Joe.
Thanks Sandi T. That bike really does suit you... Now if only my GT was ready for pick up but no news yet. Im sure I live closer to the factory than Tuscon
There actually was one of those little naughty angel's on my shoulder, Duckadiledundee! How did you know?
Well, dilli, I'd be seriously tempted to buy one if I wasn't on the "Replacement Method" of buying bikes. First of all, I really do like all three of the bikes I currently own and would be hard pressed to trade one. That said, though I'd feel pretty silly owning four bikes, I'd think pretty hard about just buying one outright if we had the space in our garage. But alas, we do not. I have contemplated trading my nice car for a beater that I wouldn't mind parking outdoors in the driveway. Then we'd have four additional motorcycle parking spaces! But it's a bear getting in a car in the summer in Tucson that has been sitting outdoors all day in the sun. We shall see. I'll be eager to get more detailed reviews from you and others on the forum once you get your bike(s) and really put the rubber to the road.
Great pics as always Sandi, yes I know what you mean about the sun and cars the US airmen used to crack an egg on the hood of a jeep to demonstrate to us lobster coloured brits
And on the new Triumph enduro’s fuel tank they could have demonstrated the meaning of SCRAMBLED-Eggs...
Half ton, if I could have selected multiple emoji ratings of your post, I'd have selected "like", "funny", "agree" and "creative". What a great idea! However Mr. Sandi might not feel the same. He's quite fond of his motorcycle.
Put a shade sail up ... Cheap as Chips ! and then you have solved two or is it three problems all in one ! shaded area to park in front of your property will ADD value on , maybe even enough to cover the new Purchase
Good idea, @capt. But unfortunately our HOA wouldn't go for it. We live in a small (17-house) development where we all know one another and our HOA is a pretty lenient one compared to most. But we live on a cul-de-sac where all the driveways face in to the center so it wouldn't really work very well. But I do appreciate you thinking of me...and my penchant for collecting bikes!
