Opinion of Rockster

[jimz49]

For the past couple years I've been riding an R1100S and recently started thinking about replacing it with a rockster. Early on in my ownership of the S, I replaced the low mounted clip on handlebars with handlebars from an rs and moved the whole arrangement above the top mount. It's made for a fairly comfortable ride, while still maintaining a slight forward leaning position. I would like to know if the riding position of the rockster has an aggressive forward lean? Is there a lot of pressure put on the arms and shoulders. I like the idea of leaning forward some, so long as it does not cause fatigue and pain in the shoulders on longer rides. I would probably fit the rockster with a touring screen. I may also fit the screen with a lip. So keep in mind a lot of the wind that may reduce forward pressure on a bike with the small screen will be diverted by the larger screen.

Another thing....how is the suspension on the rockster. My S is fitted with Ohlins front and rear. So I'm used to a fairly responsive ride. I don't expect the rockster with stock suspension to handle as well as one with aftermarket shocks, but I don't want it to handle like it's got one leg in a bucket either.

Looking for opinions from those that know. Thanks.

[sweatmark]

Rode a neighbor's R1100S back-to-back with my Rockster. He had a set of risers on the bike (maybe Rapid Dogs?) but not barback-types. Compared to Rockster, the R1100S posture was a bit lower/forward, with biggest difference being the effective handlebar width. I've since raised my Rockster bars 1-inch to ease back stress, since I've got a long torso ("tall in the saddle").

Occasionally I wish the Rockster bars were low again and more forward, but my bike doesn't see a lot of aggressive riding, that being reserved for another machine.

Check out the Ohlins thread in the Rockster section for great info from Ves. He's got some track time and knows good handling. FWIW, I'll get Ohlins when my OE shocks crap out, but they're doing pretty well right now for do-everything riding.

<edit> oh, and the windshield thing is personal choice, I guess. My Rockster doesn't have a shield and never will... very few occasions when headwind was strong enough to cause grip fatigue; the rest of the time the balance of air resistance against forward lean is perfect. And no helmet turbulence that way.

[Ves]

If you have the Ohlins on the S, my guess is you will definitely notice that the Rock is stiff and choppy and will want Ohlins on it again. I certainly noticed a big difference when I switched from the stock suspension to the Ohlins.

[johnnyjs1]

FWIW...I just finished a 2700 mile ride a few weeks ago,with the longest stretch being about 450 miles, I have the stock bars(no risers) and a touring screen, and not a complaint out of me about being uncomfortable(riding 2 up BTW)!! I find the bike very capable of touring, as well as scraping the pegs on the Dragon at Deals Gap. Just my .02 cents

[dragonmojo]

I recently took a vacation ride from Sacramento, CA to Flagstaff, AZ on my Rockster. The past several years it has been with my R1200C, but I broke the engine when I hit a boulder. So, it was a last minute scramble to outfit my Rock with some soft luggage. The bike fits me fine for just about everything... except that I have to be very deliberate as to where I tread, being short of inseam (my pants say 30, and I'm just under 5'6").

I took the easy route straight down Hwy99 thru Bakersfield, then Barstow and Needles, ending up in Kingman, AZ for the night. This was over 600 miles of riding, stopping only to gas up and rehydrate. The next longest stretch was on my trip home, starting in Las Vegas, NV and riding home to Sacramento (via Tonopah, NV and Mono Lake in the Eastern Sierra). That was an 11 hour ride... with twisties this time, going over the Sonora Pass on Hwy108.

I have no experience with the R1100S, but having some way to stretch out your legs would be nice on the Rock. I'd occasionally rest mine on the jugs, one leg at a time, when I was on the open road. My leather over denim pants along with boots made it possible, but a few weeks later I discovered that the heat from the right header melted some plastic on the heel of my Alpinestars. I believe there are highway pegs and variations available on the market.

I used to think the seat is rather uncomfortable, but I coped better than I expected on this ride. I did not experience the pressure on the wrists as many people have reported, but that final 11 hours put a strain on my throttle hand. I noticed this after my ride, and felt some slight discomfort for about a week. My advice is to get some sort of cruise control.

No plans for windshields for me either. Maybe it's not too much a problem for me because I'm short enough for the instrument cowl to do the job. But, I'm sure a windshield would add some extra comfort, unless you get caught in some big crosswind.

All in all, I was pleasantly surprised that my Rockster performed as well as it did for the long haul. Hope this helped.

[riceburner]

Get a ride on a Rockster and see what you think.

Where are you based?

[jimz49]

Thanks for all the great feedback. I'm located in Pa. You're right, the best way to know how the rock will fit me is to ride one.

In addition to the S, I have an older R1100R and I find it uncomfortable on longer trips. That's why when I saw the the lower bars and flatter seat on the rock, I thought the riding posture might be similar to my S.

At this point, I'm in no rush....seems availability is low and price is a little too high right know. I'll probably get serious later on in the fall/winter months to find one. Besides, I've got to be certain I want to move on from the S. Best case scenario is to sell the R, keep the S and add the rock.

[riceburner]

Thanks for all the great feedback. I'm located in Pa. You're right, the best way to know how the rock will fit me is to ride one.

In addition to the S, I have an older R1100R and I find it uncomfortable on longer trips. That's why when I saw the the lower bars and flatter seat on the rock, I thought the riding posture might be similar to my S.

At this point, I'm in no rush....seems availability is low and price is a little too high right know. I'll probably get serious later on in the fall/winter months to find one. Besides, I've got to be certain I want to move on from the S. Best case scenario is to sell the R, keep the S and add the rock.

in addition to being lower - the Rockster bars are also a lot wider - it makes you lean quite a long way forwards.

[johnnyjs1]

Remember though...you can always swap the stock rockster bars for the roadster bars

[duke]

I have not tried R1100S ... but from what I have been reading ... *slurp*.

I love the Rockster to bits, however at +85 Mph (on private roads of course, not on the Queen's highway) I find it exhausting not having any wind deflection.
The air blast keeps pressing the helmet at the front of my face.

Some people here talk of not having turbulence.
There must be some trick I am not aware of.
I am having it awful (must be body proportions, not just height (6' 2" and 31")).
My head is buzzing badly after 80 - 100 Miles at sustained speed (never mind the earplugs and fairly good lid (Shoei XR-1000)).

Despite my appreciation for the character of the engine, next bike will have bikini fairing (if not full) and possibly Duolever.
Unless I find some money I have put away without noticing and find a mint R1100S Cup Replica model !

[rockstercliff]

I went from an older R/5, to the Rockster and am very happy. Anyone who had the older bikes can swear as to the reliability, but in 04, my local dealer had the "Rock" as a loaner and I tried it. I couldnt believe the handling as compared to the old ones, but had similar concerns as to the bars, and the seat. To allieviate, the dealer swapped the Rockster handlebars to the ones off the Roadster, and I got the Sargent seat from Ebay. Always had some turbulance, but with the touring windscreen is some better. Love the look of the "citrus" Rock, and that is what ultimately won over the CFO, the bank as it were. I am also in Pa., let me know what happens, and if you have any specific questions, dont hesitate to email, and would be glad to discuss if you wished.

[riceburner]

I have not tried R1100S ... but from what I have been reading ... *slurp*.

I love the Rockster to bits, however at +85 Mph (on private roads of course, not on the Queen's highway) I find it exhausting not having any wind deflection.
The air blast keeps pressing the helmet at the front of my face.

Some people here talk of not having turbulence.
There must be some trick I am not aware of.
I am having it awful (must be body proportions, not just height (6' 2" and 31")).
My head is buzzing badly after 80 - 100 Miles at sustained speed (never mind the earplugs and fairly good lid (Shoei XR-1000)).

Despite my appreciation for the character of the engine, next bike will have bikini fairing (if not full) and possibly Duolever.
Unless I find some money I have put away without noticing and find a mint R1100S Cup Replica model !

Flyscreen?

[brem]

I test rode a R1100S before buying a Rockster. I'm 6'2" and have a 32" inseam, and I find the Rockster to be substantially more comfortable. The R1100S put my wrists at an odd angle and also put a lot more weight on them. The reach to the bars from the tall Rockster seat is definitely further than on the Roadster but less than the R1100S, and it does indeed cause my back to get pretty tired after 500 miles or so, but it's manageable with some Vitamin I. I bought a CrampBuster for $10 online which took care of the wrist fatigue on long days. As for the windblast, I've got the OEM screen, but I generally use it mostly to help stay warm than to deal with the wind blast. The ergo combination of the stock bars, tall seat and OEM windscreen is almost dialed-in to cause the maximum amount of helmet buffeting, which is pretty obnoxious, and taking the windblast off my chest actually puts more pressure on my wrists. There seems to be a pretty solid aftermarket in parts to modify the bike as needed, in any case.

[Ukemi]

I recently finished up a 1600 mile ride on my rockster. I didn't really have any issues. I have bar risers and some after market R1150R bars & cramp buster for my throttle. Also have the sport screen from wunderliche. I rode for about 12hrs stopping only to gas and eat in one day with minimal fatigue.