P/U Rockster: Vegas thru Death Valley then onto San Fran

[hydra]

hello folks,

another newbie joins your ranks.
i just picked up an '04 rockster twin spark last week from my brother in vegas and rode it home to SF. so i'm it's new owner since tues and about 5400mi on the clock! my bro picked up a road king last year and is having a baby next month, so he's been looking for a new home for the rockster. well i rescued her and so far she hasn't dissapointed me. only upgrades my brother did is a remus exhaust and PC chip. i have to confirm from LV BMW why the tank and upper rear side covers didn't get the citrus decals, which i'm not complaining about. looks good w/o them and i'll end up changing the color of the wheels and headlight cover to the same blue on the forks. i've never ridden a rockster before so i can't compare it with a stock setup.

my only experience with this bike had been the 2 or 3 times i got to ride her when i had the time to visit my bro. so this trip back to SF was a true test of this bike. i went west through death valley, then made my way southwesterly towards bakersfield and finally north to SF for an +800mi trip.

it was a great experience to say the least. i got to about -250ft below see level at one point and it was blistering hot! then 2 hours later i had to put my leather back on as i got to an elevation of over 4000ft. the rockster took on the rapid climate and elevation changes like a champ. and averaging 100mph on the endless straights were such a blast but i had to tuck way down and the dips kept me on my toes. i'm definitely getting a sport shield for her or something. anything above 75mph and i'm blasted quite a bit. enough for me to want to lean forward or lay on the tank most of the time.

compared to my Boxer Cup Replika (R11S)....hmmmm, different beast altogether. both have quick reponse in the throttle and handling, both are twin spark but i feel more confident on the twisties on the S than the rockster. it did take me over 1500mi on the S before my pace quickened on the twisties and fast sweeps. the typical beemer weight does make for a bit of a learning curve before it can be feel like a natural thing. and i think ohlin's would make it that much better.

my R11GS, which i just sold, would have been great for some of the dirt roads i came across as i was exploring area's in and around death valley, but i'm not the least bit regretful for her replacement. i think she'll be the perfect canyon carver for the NorCal area where i've just relocated temporarily...but maybe not so temporary. there's tons of amazing places here and i'm feeling spoiled already

[hydra]

well, feeling a bit neglected here, so i'll post to myself. where's all the support i thought i'd get here? i hope this website gets better...i'll keep trying


hi hydra (me),

nice looking bike you got there.
welcome to the forum!
good luck with her...you're gonna love it!

all the best

[hydra]

[jfslater98]

well, feeling a bit neglected here, so i'll post to myself. where's all the support i thought i'd get here?

Don't feel bad Hydra. It's raining like hell out here on the east coast, so the jealous yankees (like myself) are probably grumbling about your premo situation:

- Free Rockster with Carbon Fiber "oil-ator" covers
- Riding through the desert on an awesome bike
- Living in a motorcycle-friendly state like CA
- Living in a great area of said MC-friendly state

For what it's worth, the bike looks great. Please post your pictures when you're done customizing the wheels and brow to match the fork and frames. Sounds like a great upgrade!

[cutting]

Hi,

Like yourself i'm a newbie to this bike also... mine is the citrus green also with all the stikers, which i like so i'm keeping mine this way.
Not many mods.. aftermarket exhaust, screen, bag and a tyre hugger (guard)... oh and a pair of boxer shorts from wunderlich lol.

Like you say... takes a bit more confidence to get the bike around the sweeps, corners etc... but after you get learning curve outa the way.. ..i'm fine now with it.. we are starting to get some good weather here now.. spring, coming into summer.... so plenty of ride time coming up.

Ray

PS.. welcome to the forums

[hydra]

well, feeling a bit neglected here, so i'll post to myself. where's all the support i thought i'd get here?

Don't feel bad Hydra. It's raining like hell out here on the east coast, so the jealous yankees (like myself) are probably grumbling about your premo situation:

- Free Rockster with Carbon Fiber "oil-ator" covers
- Riding through the desert on an awesome bike
- Living in a motorcycle-friendly state like CA
- Living in a great area of said MC-friendly state

For what it's worth, the bike looks great. Please post your pictures when you're done customizing the wheels and brow to match the fork and frames. Sounds like a great upgrade!

thanks jfslater98! you're my first reply.
i just replocated temporarily to SF from Ny only a month ago on business. i'm getting quite spoiled and like most people have said, i might not want to go back.

btw, the rockster wasn't free but i did get a sweet deal on it.

[cone]

Hi Hydra, I'm also a new member and owner of a 2005 citrus green bike. I think that the green color makes the bike stand out. I know a lot of people feel that green is a bad luck color but if you are not supersticious I think you should put the green back onto your tank and side panels. I do however feel that the blue and silver colors are a bit superflous and bringing the bike back to two colors (green & black) only should improve the looks . My bike is in for repairs to the drive shaft and as soon as I can aford it I would like to fit a Remus or Acrapovic silencer. I can also recommend the small Wunderlich screen for practicality as well as estetics.

[mad1150]

Hydra,

Here's another belated welcome to the board.

Just keep posting, I think some of us, including me, have the pre-winter blues. Once the leaves start falling and the temps start dropping, I see my riding season being severely restricted. I don't mind the cold, but snow , ice, and salt are the ride killers here in IL.

Bike looks great, and making the green bits blue will really pull it together!

Nice pics, and it's guaranteed that you will enjoy the Roc.

[RBrider]

Hello Hdyra, nice bike you got there. I liked the ride report too. My wife and I toured pretty much the same area two up on a Buell 6 or 7 yrs ago.

I 've enjoyed my visits to SF. It's a beautiful area. Hope things work out well for you.

(I've got a green '04 non abs.)

RB

[Ves]

Hydra,

Here's another belated welcome to the board.

Just keep posting, I think some of us, including me, have the pre-winter blues. Once the leaves start falling and the temps start dropping, I see my riding season being severely restricted. I don't mind the cold, but snow , ice, and salt are the ride killers here in IL.

Bike looks great, and making the green bits blue will really pull it together!

Nice pics, and it's guaranteed that you will enjoy the Roc.

Amen to all that... Welcome Hydra.

[hydra]

Hi,

Like yourself i'm a newbie to this bike also... mine is the citrus green also with all the stikers, which i like so i'm keeping mine this way.
Not many mods.. aftermarket exhaust, screen, bag and a tyre hugger (guard)... oh and a pair of boxer shorts from wunderlich lol.

Like you say... takes a bit more confidence to get the bike around the sweeps, corners etc... but after you get learning curve outa the way.. ..i'm fine now with it.. we are starting to get some good weather here now.. spring, coming into summer.... so plenty of ride time coming up.

Ray

PS.. welcome to the forums

thanks for the welcome ray! it's good to be here.
hey, i didn't get any boxer shorts when i purchsased my wunderlich "trimm" screen. lol

this particular shade of green just isn't my thing but i'm also considering a darker green

[adg44]

Your bro must have done one other upgrade, as you have the Carbon Fiber oil cooler covers - looks great!

Welcome.

[dragonmojo]

this particular shade of green just isn't my thing but i'm also considering a darker green

Like in a Kawasaki green?

[hydra]

Hi Hydra, I'm also a new member and owner of a 2005 citrus green bike. I think that the green color makes the bike stand out. I know a lot of people feel that green is a bad luck color but if you are not supersticious I think you should put the green back onto your tank and side panels. I do however feel that the blue and silver colors are a bit superflous and bringing the bike back to two colors (green & black) only should improve the looks . My bike is in for repairs to the drive shaft and as soon as I can aford it I would like to fit a Remus or Acrapovic silencer. I can also recommend the small Wunderlich screen for practicality as well as estetics.

hello cone,

i really don't feel like green is a bad luck color at all. like i said in my last post, i'm considering a darker green (not as flourescent) instead and getting custom decals and put the stripes back on, but slightly different lines. still thinking about exactly how i want it to look.

EDIT: i picked up the wunderlich "trimm" a few days ago, which is the smallest one they make. i'm very happy with it. takes just enough of the blast off me and looks nice as well. i just need to tint it just a bit for a sportier look.

[hydra]

Hydra,

Here's another belated welcome to the board.
Just keep posting, I think some of us, including me, have the pre-winter blues. Once the leaves start falling and the temps start dropping, I see my riding season being severely restricted. I don't mind the cold, but snow , ice, and salt are the ride killers here in IL.
Bike looks great, and making the green bits blue will really pull it together!
Nice pics, and it's guaranteed that you will enjoy the Roc.

hello mad1150,

thanks for the welcome man! loving this bike! now that i've gotten my confidence with it, i'm staying up in the higher part of the tach and man, this bike does ROC!!!

yes, i can totally relate to the winter/snow blues. i lived in new york for most of my life (35 yrs) so i know what it's like. most people are telling me (mostly other ny'ers that have moved here) that i'll never go back. i kept telling them, "no way, i love ny". but now, i can see, just from a riding stand point, why they never went back either!

still playing around with different idea's for colors. dark green like i mentioned in previous posts. something about it staying green but in a different way. or the gun metal blue that's on the bike now. that might look nice as well, with matching blue stripes. i know i can get someone to make decals to match any color. unless i get someone to air brush it on there

[dragonmojo]

hello mad1150,

thanks for the welcome man! loving this bike! now that i've gotten my confidence with it, i'm staying up in the higher part of the tach and man, this bike does ROC!!!

Have you had a chance to visit my backyard yet? We have the whole Sierra range out here!!

BTW, from your limited time w/the Rock, how's it compare to your Replika?

[hydra]

Hydra,

Here's another belated welcome to the board.

Amen to all that... Welcome Hydra.

hey ves...thanks!

[hydra]

Hello Hdyra, nice bike you got there. I liked the ride report too. My wife and I toured pretty much the same area two up on a Buell 6 or 7 yrs ago.
I 've enjoyed my visits to SF. It's a beautiful area. Hope things work out well for you.
(I've got a green '04 non abs.)
RB

hi RB,

touring on a buel sounds like a real adventure! thanks for the well wishes! non abs for me either...

all the best

[hydra]

hello mad1150,

thanks for the welcome man! loving this bike! now that i've gotten my confidence with it, i'm staying up in the higher part of the tach and man, this bike does ROC!!!

Have you had a chance to visit my backyard yet? We have the whole Sierra range out here!!
BTW, from your limited time w/the Rock, how's it compare to your Replika?

hello dragonmojo,

i like your tag man! and i guess a kawasaki green could be an option or something close to it

my only experience in your neck of the woods was on my cross country trip last month from nyc to sf in a rented suburban. i stopped at donner lake on the last leg of my trip. i'd love to explore that area though. maybe you can show me around some time!

as far the the rock vs the rep:

right now, i'd have to say that the rep feels more sporty or racey and nimbler. it's not surprising cause the reps got the showa sport shocks, forward seating position, a touch less weight and more HP. the tighter suspension really helps the rep in cornering whereas the rock needs a bit more care on the corners as i feel the suspension's weaknesses quicker than the rep's. but even with the stock setup, the rock will still eat up the bumps better than any stock japanese flavor. i think upgrading both bikes to some ohlin's would make these bikes that much better. BTW, my rep's got a laser BC-1 system with matching chip so the HP is up about another 5 to 8 HP. the rock's got the power commander and remus exhaust, so i'm sure it's picked up comparable gains.

let's organize a ride in you neighborhood soon!

here's what's on paper:

boxer cup rep-
Bore x stroke: 99.0 x 70.5 mm (3.9 x 2.8 inches)
Displacement: 1085.00 ccm (66.21 cubic inches)
Power: 96.55 HP (70.5 kW)) @ 7250 RPM
Torque: 97.00 Nm (9.9 kgf-m or 71.5 ft.lbs) @ 5750 RPM
Compression: 11.3:1
dry weight: 459lbs
top speed: 140mph

rockster
Bore x Stroke: 101 x 70.5 mm (3.97 x 2.77 in)
Displacement: 1130 cc
Power: 85 hp (62.5 KW) at 6,750 rpm
Torque: 98 Nm / 72 ft lb at 5,250 rpm
Compression Ratio: 10.3 : 1
dry weight: 482lbs
top speed: 122mph

This pic was taken the day i picked her up in ohio before riding it home to nyc. she's patiently waiting and i'll get to see her on wed when i fly back for a couple of days for meetings. i sure do miss her!

[dragonmojo]

Have you had a chance to visit my backyard yet? We have the whole Sierra range out here!!
BTW, from your limited time w/the Rock, how's it compare to your Replika?

let's organize a ride in you neighborhood soon!

Would love to show newcomers around these parts. Only problem with this time of year is the weather and road conditions in the hills... but, there's still the foothills and a lot of Western history (the Gold Rush days)! Lemme know and if it isn't already listed someplace, I'm [email protected]. Saturday is my favorite riding day and is usually open. Welcome to NorCal!

Alan