I am sure we all have some preconceptions about things, all advanced motorcyclists smoke pipes and ride BMWs, women can’t ride a motorcycle, sports bike riders ride to fast and fall off (may be I should have left that one out after stuffing my bike into the grass on Nigel’s ride).

CRUISERS DON’T GO, HANDLE OR STOP. Earlier this year when I took the Daytona in for it’s first service I had an invite for a test ride on the Rocket 3 so I thought it would be rude not to. First impressions it’s lower and easier to get on than the Daytona but when you first sit on it it’s huge. Hands loosely on the bars rocked it side to side with the wide tank between my knees it seemed well balanced and its considerable weight seemed low down and manageable. Once on the move concerns of its bulk soon disappeared and trundled along quite happily in busy Fareham traffic. The demo model I tried was the classic with the bars raked further back and running boards place well forward which felt strange with my feet stretched out in sports boots. Also two piece leathers and knee sliders probably looked out of place; perhaps I should have had a pair of Dock Martins and a few tassels, woops another preconception.

Decided to take the road out of Fareham through the Meon Valley past Barnstormers up to the large roundabout and back, a nice mix of straight bits to stretch its legs and some nice sweeping bends. The first set of bends got stuck behind a few cars and took it steady and was surprised how easy it moved from side to side for its size. Then the road straightened and an overtake presented itself so I opened the throttle, WOW what a rush. Yes I’m sure it could pull a train, pull your house down and uproot trees. After I passed the cars in a blur I looked at the Speedo, whoops sorry officer, slowed down and gathered my thoughts. I was filled with adrenalin, excitement but the thing I remember the most was laughing out loud to my self in my helmet. How many times have you heard people say “I’ll slow down and get a cruiser and keep my licence safe”? This one might be the wrong choice, maybe it’s just me but opening the throttle became addictive, a massive high and legal, well up to national speed limit anyway. When you want to overtake just open the throttle in any gear it pulls from anywhere.   

With the performance question answered a nice S bend came up with a bit more pace it moved from side to side surprisingly easy for its size but with its pulled back bars and feet forward  position it gave the impression you were falling off the back. I soon got used to the strange position and gained confidence and the next series of bends took it down a gear and a nice progressively opened throttle and more laughter. This beast handles as well, you can throw it around but it does get a bit wallowy if the road is a bit bumpy but didn’t get worrying.

Lastly did it stop? Yes it did it did take some hauling up but the brakes seamed to cope and that huge engine that gives you al that lovely torque gives enough engine braking to give all you Mike Waite trained riders everlasting stop light bulbs. 

In summary the Rocket probably does everything a cruiser should do, although I’m not sure I know what that is, but it does do everything it should not. When I got back to the shop I had the biggest grin ever and to quote another cliché “it was the most fun I’d had with clothes on”.  

Would I chop the Daytona in for one? No, but if I could afford it I’d love one as a second bike.

Thanks to Chris at Rafferty Newman.