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| mat1600 | | Thunderbird |  |  | | Reg. Date | : | 06/03/2010 | | Posts | : | 8,596 | | Location | : | Bridlington, Democratic Independant State of Yorkshire, United Kingdom |
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| | Posted : 29 Mar 2010 - 12:38 Post title : Rocket 3 v Bird | | | Having never been on a Rocket,why do some people move from one to a Bird?. A guy stopped me at the weekend and asked about the Bird and said he was changing from a Rocket. Surely if you are a torque freek the Rocket would be the dogs dangly bits. Is it looks or is the Bird just that good. A mate of mine is looking to change his 1200 bandit and wants to go the rocket way. Is the Rocket hard to live with ?
| My first natural instinct is to breathe. My second is to evade tax's.
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| Birdy68 | | Thor | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 16/07/2009 | | Posts | : | 3,352 | | Location | : | Bad Zurzach, Aargau, Switzerland |
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| | Posted : 29 Mar 2010 - 12:50 Post title : Re: Rocket 3 v Bird (Re: mat1600) | | |
mat1600 wrote:
.... Is the Rocket hard to live with ? |
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In small / tight congested areas - like around towns, going shopping, parking - YES!
Please note:
- I have NEVER ridden a Rocket, but what I quoted above is what I always hear from those who have one!
| Birdy68
-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-
Leave the pork pies for now - get the sausage rolls while they're hot!
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more info at Fuelly.com
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| KingOfFleece | | Set | | | Reg. Date | : | 30/09/2009 | | Posts | : | 304 | | Location | : | United States |
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| | Posted : 29 Mar 2010 - 13:03 Post title : Re: Rocket 3 v Bird (Re: Birdy68) | | | I own an R3 but have a few 100 miles on a T-Bird. The Bird does handle better for most riders-it's not as demanding to set the correct line thru a corner. The R3 is big, as you know, and has a LOT of power but it's a machine. IF you know how to tell it what to do, it'll do it. There a some on the beast that are a bit over matched and for them a bird may be a better choice. It's more forgiving to ride-Triumph did a fantastic job with the way the bike feels. As much bottom end as the bird has, it's great and it's plenty-the R3 has more. For some, well, as they say "too much is just enough!" and that's the R3 in a nutshell.
All that being said I've recommended a T-bird to several friends as it's a wonderful machine and hands down the best (whatever that really means) traditional American style cruiser I ever rode-and that's most of 'em from all manufactures. Riding the T-Bird back to back with any of the other bikes in it's class it's astounding how much better the road feel of the Triumph is.
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| daz | | Zeus | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 12/05/2009 | | Posts | : | 7,709 | | Location | : | United States |
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| | Posted : 29 Mar 2010 - 16:47 Post title : Re: Rocket 3 v Bird (Re: mat1600) | | | I believe Feduke was one of those who traded his R3 on a Tbird. Maybe he'll pop in. To me the Tbird feels much nicer than the R3, but if you want brute power the R3 is unbeatable. It's a matter of what is important to you. When i hear people asking which to get my question is always "if the Tbird and R3 both were the same as far as power/speed, which would you buy?" I'm not sure the R3 would even sell at all if that were the case. In other words, the point is that to the vast majority of people the power/speed thing is the only reason to look at a R3. So in short, unless extreme power is a must, you'll likely prefer the Tbird. And with the 1700 kit the gap will make it less likely you'll want to choose the r3. There are i'm sure those who just love the R3 for other reasons like how unique it looks. But i think the power thing is the #1 thing that will influence the decision to go that way.
| 2010 Blue/White Thunderbird, "Brutus". 1700 kit, short tors, gutted cat, UNI filter, filter seal off, custom tune. Brutus in his native habitat: Link
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| ataDude | | Chaac | | | Reg. Date | : | 19/10/2009 | | Posts | : | 527 | | Location | : | Texas, United States |
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| | Posted : 29 Mar 2010 - 17:06 Post title : Re: Rocket 3 v Bird (Re: mat1600) | | | I tested both the R3 and the T-B. I also currently have a Honda Valkyrie (see below).
The R3 is heads above the T-B in power and speed. And, when I was purchasing, an R3 was available for about $1,000 USD less than the T-B. However, the R3 handles much like the Valk... OK at speed but a bugger at low speed. I decided on the T-B for five reasons:
1. I will, at times, drive a bike to its limits. I figured I'd probably kill myself on the R3. (pssst... the Valk itself will do 145 MPH).
2. The T-Bird had adequate power (it is by no means the fastest around) but handled very well at speed or in parking lots. It is now my long-distance bike as it is setup for touring. I like the low-end torque and range.
3. With future gas prices unknown, the R3's 30-32 MPG was inferior to the T-B's 40-45 MPG.
4. I like different. The T-B, being new, is different.
5. The T-B offered ABS. At the time, the R3 did not (the Roadster now does).
I've had about 30 bikes in the past... from mo-peds to GL1800s. The T-B is now one of the most... if not the most... comfortable bike I've ever had. The Valk is right there with it.
Note the Deuce risers on the Valk. 
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| | Post edited by ataDude on 29 Mar 2010 - 17:07 |
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| mat1600 | | Thunderbird | | | | Reg. Date | : | 06/03/2010 | | Posts | : | 8,596 | | Location | : | Bridlington, Democratic Independant State of Yorkshire, United Kingdom |
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| | Posted : 29 Mar 2010 - 18:30 Post title : Re: Rocket 3 v Bird (Re: ataDude) | | | Thanks to all for the replies. I guess there is a bike for everyone .Some good points there and I shall forward this to my mate. He did have a go on my TBird and liked it - a lot. Another friend keeps jumping on it and saying how good it feels ( a Tiger owner who had a job keeping up with me ), so there must be something pretty right about the TBird. I was tempted by the R3 but never tried it out ,I was just blown away by the TBirds looks and then I rode it. Ata - that is one hell of a bike, if you had your two bikes over here you would have to retire to keep them that good !!!!. I shall wait and see on the day of testing if he goes R3 or TB.
| My first natural instinct is to breathe. My second is to evade tax's.
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| Druid | | Jupiter | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 14/10/2009 | | Posts | : | 1,359 | | Location | : | United Kingdom |
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| | Posted : 29 Mar 2010 - 18:36 Post title : Re: Rocket 3 v Bird (Re: ataDude) | | | You gota love the Valk
As to the rocket , I loved it . The shear power and rush on one is amazing. BUT, after about 30 minutes I started feeling warn out. You have to think so far in advance because you could be doing stupid speeds into a corner without realiseing it. Ok so thats me, but if the power is there I tend to use it. Stupid maybe but hey.
So for me the Rocket is a possible killer for me because you take the wrong line and I dont think it would be that easy to correct. I am just not disciplined enough to own a Rocket. If I was in the States and did loads of miles on your highways then sure Id have one in a shot . Well until the feds caught me and took my license away lol.
I am fairly sure Ill get a Roadster one day though to stable with the Bird (I doubt ill get rid of her) for my sunday kicks. That is what the Rocket should have been in the first place, a road monster.
The Bird is a fantastic machine that covers all bases with ease so no matter where u are she will perform with aplomb, the twisties, in town, the highway and in a line of HD's lol .
| Socialism is the philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery - W.Churchill
| | Post edited by Druid on 29 Mar 2010 - 18:39 |
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| BlueNose | | Thor | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 29/09/2009 | | Posts | : | 2,478 | | Location | : | United Kingdom |
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| | Posted : 29 Mar 2010 - 18:40 Post title : Re: Rocket 3 v Bird (Re: mat1600) | | | Well Matt.....
I test rode the R3 for a couple of hours (100 miles or so) before the T'bird. I must say I liked both very much. What swung it for me was:
1) Talking to an R3 owner who was trading his in for a T'bird and in his opinion it was a much better bike
2) Ride seemed more refined on the T'bird (able to use the power more on the bird)
3) ABS - I am a convert (I know they are now available on the Rocket)
4) Running costs (mpg etc etc)
I am a fan of the R3 and the Rocket Roadster takes it on to a new level (had 20 mins on one and WOW). That said I am head over heals in lust for my 'bird.
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| ataDude | | Chaac | | | Reg. Date | : | 19/10/2009 | | Posts | : | 527 | | Location | : | Texas, United States |
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| | Posted : 29 Mar 2010 - 19:28 Post title : Re: Rocket 3 v Bird (Re: mat1600) | | |
mat1600 wrote:
... Ata - that is one hell of a bike, if you had your two bikes over here you would have to retire to keep them that good !!!! |
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Druid wrote:
You gota love the Valk |
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Thanks, Mat and yepper, I do, Druid. It's been the most dependable bike I've ever had. 12-years-old now and still going strong. Never been in the shop... for anything.
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| Thatch | | Thor | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 24/06/2009 | | Posts | : | 3,655 | | Location | : | Savannah, GA, United States |
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| | Posted : 29 Mar 2010 - 20:02 Post title : Re: Rocket 3 v Bird (Re: mat1600) | | | I always thought the Rocket made a crap cruiser. Mechanically it was impressive but it never made sense as a cruiser to me. The tourer version made sense and is a good bike but as I'm not a bagger kind of guy it doesn't do anything for me. Now that the roadster has been released the R3 is a much more complete bike (to me). The 'to hell with you' attitude of the R3 just fits in a streetfigher setup. The fact that it's ugly as hell works in that genre. (just look at the speed triple). Oh and when I say it's ugly isn't to say it isn't appealing. I like it (and the S3) but for completely different reasons than the tbird.
If the R3 roadster would of been available at the point that I got the bird I might of been tempted, but ultimately I would of still chosen the bird. There is still too many 'silly bits' on the rocket that I don't like. The chrome fender tips are hideous and have no place on a streetfighter. They are still slapping a chrome surround on that MASSIVE radiator.... uh ,why? That said, it's a monster, and a fun ride. The roadster is 3/4 of the way there.
Back to the original post (sorry I'm tangent inclined) I think a lot of Rocket owners are switching for a very simple reason. They are motorcyclists and Triumph fans. They've owned the Rocket and like it. Before last year there were no other bikes in Triumph's lineup that were remotely in the Rocket's league. To stay with the brand meant a complete change in ergonomics and / or power. Triumph then releases another bike with lots of torque and hp that has good ergos and while substantially different from the Rocket isn't a wholesale change like moving to a sport bike or way down to a bonnie line bike. I think it was new and from Triumph, simple as that. When I decide to get a new bike I'll be looking hard at any new bike that Triumph has come out with in the meantime. I might get another bird, but I might not.
As for them being hard to live with. I would suspect that an average size and below person might have a bit of trouble with a Rocket. They are a bit cumbersome at slow speeds and comparatively tall. That might get old after a while, but as has been said before, once you are moving that issues is moot.
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| Buzzo | | Set | | | Reg. Date | : | 20/01/2010 | | Posts | : | 110 | | Location | : | Brisbane, Queensland, Australia |
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| | Posted : 30 Mar 2010 - 06:30 Post title : Re: Rocket 3 v Bird (Re: mat1600) | | | G'day Fellas.
I've traded the Rocket for a Thunderbird. I loved that bike......
For me buying the Thunderbird was a rash decision. The Rockets have had their share of mechanical problems. After a couple of niggles and then needing new gudgeon pins after only 36000 km's, I flew back from work , didn't even look at the bike in the shop after the rebuild and traded it for the Thunderbird.
I'll be honest I went back with 2000 km's on the clock and asked about trading it in for a Roadster. Unfortunately I've spent a lot on accessories and couldn't justify the amount I'd lose. The salesman told me that someone had just traded the Thunderbird for a Roadster only a couple of days before.
I fitted the Rocket better than the bird. A lot more room to move around. I preferred the standard Rocket over the others because with the pegs where they were I could rest my legs over the top for a change of position on the longer trips. Plus It has the most ground clearance. I keep hearing the Rocket is only for torque and power junkies... That's a long way from the truth. They are a fine handling bike, I'm talking in the hills and twisties as well as slower speeds. As for the power it's delivery is very similar to the bird. Docile as a lamb if you want but it's there if you want it.
Don't think I'm knocking the Thunderbird. The only big issue I have is ground clearance which I'll fix with a change of suspension.
I think the Bird is a stunning looking bike and is definitely a great handler. It's got more than enough power in the real world.
So if your mate chooses the Rocket he's still getting a bloody good bike.
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| BlueNose | | Thor | | | | Reg. Date | : | 29/09/2009 | | Posts | : | 2,478 | | Location | : | United Kingdom |
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| | Posted : 13 Apr 2010 - 18:51 Post title : Re: Rocket 3 v Bird (Re: Buzzo) | | | Buzzo, I agree, the Rocket handles very well - nice and easy to ride in my opinion.
Spent today on this bad boy...
[IMG]
Had some great fun.
For me not much to choose between the two overall but the T'bird edges it (but only just).
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| mat1600 | | Thunderbird | | | | Reg. Date | : | 06/03/2010 | | Posts | : | 8,596 | | Location | : | Bridlington, Democratic Independant State of Yorkshire, United Kingdom |
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| | Posted : 13 Apr 2010 - 19:10 Post title : Re: Rocket 3 v Bird (Re: BlueNose) | | | Is that the one that is in A1 at york ?
| My first natural instinct is to breathe. My second is to evade tax's.
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| zolti | | Thor | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 23/03/2010 | | Posts | : | 3,127 | | Location | : | newcastle , United Kingdom |
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| | Posted : 13 Apr 2010 - 20:35 Post title : Re: Rocket 3 v Bird (Re: mat1600) | | | had considered in a wierd dream a victory hammer but woke up to still find my love in the garage, rocket nah just hasnt the "bike engine" look for me, love the carmichal roadster vid but we cant buy the derestricted one, prob just as well
its not just about twisting the throttle but intown meandering and for me the tbird meets my spec 
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| mat1600 | | Thunderbird | | | | Reg. Date | : | 06/03/2010 | | Posts | : | 8,596 | | Location | : | Bridlington, Democratic Independant State of Yorkshire, United Kingdom |
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| | Posted : 13 Apr 2010 - 21:02 Post title : Re: Rocket 3 v Bird (Re: zolti) | | | It does look a bit like a boat engine stuck in there. But I like it . Like my Bird more.
| My first natural instinct is to breathe. My second is to evade tax's.
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| BlueNose | | Thor | | | | Reg. Date | : | 29/09/2009 | | Posts | : | 2,478 | | Location | : | United Kingdom |
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| | Posted : 13 Apr 2010 - 23:52 Post title : Re: Rocket 3 v Bird (Re: mat1600) | | |
mat1600 wrote:
Is that the one that is in A1 at york ? |
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It is, had it while I had the 6k service, new pulley and back tyre fitted.
I liked her that much I took it to the seaside...
[IMG]
In your neck of the woods Mat (can you guess where both pictures have been taken?).
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| HooRad | | Set | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 19/01/2010 | | Posts | : | 280 | | Location | : | Richmond, VA, United States |
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| | Posted : 14 Apr 2010 - 00:39 Post title : Re: Rocket 3 v Bird (Re: BlueNose) | | | I think the best case scenario is to have a mate with a R3 so you can swap bikes on occasion and get a taste of what the other has. Once satisfied, you get your bird back and everyone is happy!
| Not likely to die of natural causes. At least I hope not.
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| Willyt | | Set | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 01/07/2009 | | Posts | : | 93 | | Location | : | cheltenham, pa, United States |
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| | Posted : 14 Apr 2010 - 02:00 Post title : Re: Rocket 3 v Bird (Re: mat1600) | | |
mat1600 wrote:
Having never been on a Rocket,why do some people move from one to a Bird?. A guy stopped me at the weekend and asked about the Bird and said he was changing from a Rocket. Surely if you are a torque freek the Rocket would be the dogs dangly bits. Is it looks or is the Bird just that good. A mate of mine is looking to change his 1200 bandit and wants to go the rocket way. Is the Rocket hard to live with ? |
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IMO the Rocket is very easy to live with. It's big, but I find it very reasonable at slow speeds. I rode it as a daily commuter in a city environment, have loaded it up for camping and did some lighter long distance trips. I think that it handles quite well and is very stable. I have 13,000 miles with the R3 and it still leaves me with a big grin.
For me, the TB is easier to ride, has the better lines, is more comfortable, and provides the twin sound and feel that you don't get on the R3. With 3300 miles on the TB I find myself leaning more towards the TB as time goes by. If I was forced to choose between the two, and I hope I never do, I would go with the TB.
I can see someone moving to the TB from the R3 if it gives them a better match to the ride they are looking for.
As it was said before you have to ride before you decide.
Willy T
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Other Rides
04 TBS
07 R3
06 Dyna Super Glide
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| daz | | Zeus | | | | Reg. Date | : | 12/05/2009 | | Posts | : | 7,709 | | Location | : | United States |
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| | Posted : 14 Apr 2010 - 03:00 Post title : Re: Rocket 3 v Bird (Re: Willyt) | | |
provides the twin sound and feel that you don't get on the R3
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that is exactly why i don't own a R3 today. I tested one a couple years ago and was seriously considering buying one that day if i liked it enough. But i just felt like the bike sounded like a car and the vibes felt like my old 2 strokes. That was a big turn off, and riding home on my speedmaster i was reminded of just how much i love that sound and feel, and right there i decided my quest for a R3 was over. I had been waiting on the rumored big twin but had grown tired of waiting. But after that ride i decided waiting was my only option. Man o man am i glad i did ! The tbird turned out to be a bigger badder speedmaster that handles even better, which was an unexpected bonus tat turned out to be my favorite thing about it. The R3's power is a thing of beauty. but for me it was the only thing i found within it that was for me. The Tbird turned out to tick all the boxes for me, something even my beloved speedmaster couldn't do near as thoroughly.
But what you said is the one reason that hit me in the face like a ton of bricks and made me decide the R3 wasn't going to happen for me.
| 2010 Blue/White Thunderbird, "Brutus". 1700 kit, short tors, gutted cat, UNI filter, filter seal off, custom tune. Brutus in his native habitat: Link
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| mat1600 | | Thunderbird | | | | Reg. Date | : | 06/03/2010 | | Posts | : | 8,596 | | Location | : | Bridlington, Democratic Independant State of Yorkshire, United Kingdom |
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| | Posted : 14 Apr 2010 - 19:12 Post title : Re: Rocket 3 v Bird (Re: daz) | | | Well it sure is funny what turns up, The resaon I posted was cos a friend is after a rocket and it just happens to be the one on the pic above. Thanks Ivan, I shall mail him the pic. I have also been passing on the coments (TB v R3) that you have all left. I keep saying that he needs to spend a bit of time on mine - so next time we are out he's going to give it a blast.
Re - Bluenose Rocket pics. Is one at Driffield and the other Scarborough/Filey 
| My first natural instinct is to breathe. My second is to evade tax's.
| | Post edited by mat1600 on 14 Apr 2010 - 19:13 |
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| BlueNose | | Thor | | | | Reg. Date | : | 29/09/2009 | | Posts | : | 2,478 | | Location | : | United Kingdom |
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| | Posted : 14 Apr 2010 - 20:39 Post title : Re: Rocket 3 v Bird (Re: mat1600) | | |
mat1600 wrote:
Re - Bluenose Rocket pics. Is one at Driffield and the other Scarborough/Filey |
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You da man Mat! T'was indeed Driff and Filey!!   (ok Driff was easy but Filey (Bay) good effort! 
It's a choice between a right decision and a right decision just happens that one is just a bit more right than the other.
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| feduke | | Thor | |  | | Reg. Date | : | 11/08/2009 | | Posts | : | 2,441 | | Location | : | Daytona Beach, Florida, United States |
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| | Posted : 14 Apr 2010 - 21:20 Post title : Re: Rocket 3 v Bird (Re: BlueNose) | | | I had the Rocket III Touring for a couple of years and loved the bike but, my impression was (and is) that it is a lot of bike to horse around in city traffic. Since I'm probably not going to be taking any more really long trips I hoped the TBird would be less of a handfull. I put a deposit down as soon as Triumph announced the program and traded the Rocket on June 13, 2009. As much as I liked the Rocket, that was the best move I ever made.
In 50 years of riding I never rode anything that did just about everything (if one is a "mature" old fart like me) anywhere near as well as the TBird. It simply moves exactly like I would have designed it, if I had any idea of how to do such a thing. It flows.
If you just want the biggest, baddest factory bike out there, by all means buy the RIII. If you just want to "profile" and show off a bit, the Rocket is a great choice. And, in my opinion, it's a super long distance machine. I came to Triumph from 2 Valkyries, to the Rocket and I'm over 300 pounds, and I still think the Rocket is just more effort to handle in traffic than I want to expend. I just think the TBird to where I want it to go. And, now that I have a little over 7,000 miles on the clock, I wouldn't hesitate to take it from Daytona to the shakey side of the USA.
They're both great bikes. Good luck with a tough decision.
| I'm a secondhand vegetarian. Cows eat grass. I eat cows.
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