Title says it all really, I'm new to the Rockster but not to BMWs, having owned an F650 for the last four years. However this spring it was time for a change and to transition onto a Boxer twin of some description. After plenty of research I narrowed it down to the Rockster, after sitting on a R1150GS and finding myself on tippy toes.
Anyway I found a 2003 Rockster in black and blue with 16k on the clock and a list of extras as long as your arm at not unreasonable money a couple of weeks ago at a Triumph dealer not too far from me. After a test ride I was hooked and the deal was done there and then and she's currently residing in the garage ready to start riding to work next week.
I'm still in the new owner phase, just starting to notice all the little blemishes on a five and a half year old bike (wobbly instrument cover was the thing this morning - these just pull off right?, I'm hoping a grommet has perished underneath or something, rather than a broken lug - I didn't have time to check).
Other than that I like to home service as much as possible so I hope I've come to the right place for annoying maintanance questions (I do know how to use a search function though!) Hope to get to know some of your UK members soon - if you are anything like the F650 club at f650.co.uk.
Cheers
Jon in Maidenhead
UK Newbie says Hello
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Re: UK Newbie says Hello
Welcome aboard from the other side of the pond! I just bought my Rockster about a month ago and absolutely love it. I lucked out and found a 2005 with only 6,300 miles on it and it's tricked out with tons of goodies. I'm amazed every time I ride it at how well it handles and how much more confidence I have on this bike compared to the sport bikes I've ridden in the past. Once again, welcome and this is a great place for info. Everyone seems to be very willing to help out. Happy riding!
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riceburner
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Re: UK Newbie says Hello
oooh - a blue/black one?? To my knowledge they were never an official UK bike I think they were only available in Europe for the last year of production.
IF I were you I'd get down to Vines, in Guildford, and talk to Darren in Servicing, or Duncan (the manager) (tell him James with the Rockster sent you) and he should be ok to get you a history on the bike to see if it's an import or not. (no real issues if it is). If you're au-fait with general mechanicing then all the servicing is pretty easy, especially with the advice on here and the other 1150 fora. If there's questions then feel free to ask, I can even offer mechanicing if you want someone to show you how to do something more than changing the oil (eg valves/throttle balancing).
Re the "eyebrow" - yes they're held on with 3 spikes - which are inserted into rubber grommets which sit in lugs. If it's loose then you may well have lost a grommet - they're easy to push through the lugs (
), mainly tbh because most folks don't know the trick... grease the spike. 
got any pics? What are the extras you've got?
I may get around to doing another "Rock the Box" meeting this year if anyone is up for it?
IF I were you I'd get down to Vines, in Guildford, and talk to Darren in Servicing, or Duncan (the manager) (tell him James with the Rockster sent you) and he should be ok to get you a history on the bike to see if it's an import or not. (no real issues if it is). If you're au-fait with general mechanicing then all the servicing is pretty easy, especially with the advice on here and the other 1150 fora. If there's questions then feel free to ask, I can even offer mechanicing if you want someone to show you how to do something more than changing the oil (eg valves/throttle balancing).
Re the "eyebrow" - yes they're held on with 3 spikes - which are inserted into rubber grommets which sit in lugs. If it's loose then you may well have lost a grommet - they're easy to push through the lugs (
), mainly tbh because most folks don't know the trick... grease the spike. got any pics? What are the extras you've got?
I may get around to doing another "Rock the Box" meeting this year if anyone is up for it?
Re: UK Newbie says Hello
Riceburner, interesting what you say about the colour scheme, because I havn't seen another one the same, even in photos, so you could be right. No real issue other than the dealer should really have informed me if you are right.
Other than that, love the bike. Boxer twins are silky smooth after four years on a 650 Rotax Single.
I'll ride thru the summer and fettle thru the winter. Valves and TB balance are definitely on the agenda, and I'm glad to see from what I've seen already that the tappets are adjustable rather than having to mess with shims as per the 650. As for the TBs, a Twinmax may well be on the Xmas list this year.
Cheers
Jon in Maidenhead
Other than that, love the bike. Boxer twins are silky smooth after four years on a 650 Rotax Single.
I'll ride thru the summer and fettle thru the winter. Valves and TB balance are definitely on the agenda, and I'm glad to see from what I've seen already that the tappets are adjustable rather than having to mess with shims as per the 650. As for the TBs, a Twinmax may well be on the Xmas list this year.
Cheers
Jon in Maidenhead
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riceburner
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Re: UK Newbie says Hello
JonLean wrote:Riceburner, interesting what you say about the colour scheme, because I havn't seen another one the same, even in photos, so you could be right. No real issue other than the dealer should really have informed me if you are right.
Other than that, love the bike. Boxer twins are silky smooth after four years on a 650 Rotax Single.
I'll ride thru the summer and fettle thru the winter. Valves and TB balance are definitely on the agenda, and I'm glad to see from what I've seen already that the tappets are adjustable rather than having to mess with shims as per the 650. As for the TBs, a Twinmax may well be on the Xmas list this year.
Cheers
Jon in Maidenhead
Don't bother with the TwinMax - make yourself a Manometer for about £5.
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harrisphil
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Re: UK Newbie says Hello
riceburner
by rock the box do you mean a box hill meet
if so sounds like a possibility
by rock the box do you mean a box hill meet
if so sounds like a possibility
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riceburner
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Re: UK Newbie says Hello
Yup - BoxHill, Surrey.harrisphil wrote:riceburner
by rock the box do you mean a box hill meet
if so sounds like a possibility
Bit of a stretch from Sheffield though!
Re: UK Newbie says Hello
Welcome to the org and greetings from Savannah, GA. The Rock is a great bike and it will provide many smiles per miles.....sorry...umm...its a great beamer to cover the meters (kilometers that is)...
Roxster
Roxster
Roxster
1 God,
1 Amazing Wife,
5 Cool Kids, and
04 Copper Rockster
1 God,
1 Amazing Wife,
5 Cool Kids, and
04 Copper Rockster
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riceburner
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Re: UK Newbie says Hello
Roxster wrote:Welcome to the org and greetings from Savannah, GA. The Rock is a great bike and it will provide many smiles per miles.....sorry...umm...its a great beamer to cover the meters (kilometers that is)...
Roxster
Don't worry mate - we still use miles here.
Re: UK Newbie says Hello
What time of year is that Rocks the Box meet?
looks a good day out. still love the scoots, great to see them gaining popularity (around here anyway) Like the direction that the music gone as well..
looks a good day out. still love the scoots, great to see them gaining popularity (around here anyway) Like the direction that the music gone as well..
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riceburner
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Re: UK Newbie says Hello
Whenever I plan to organise it....digga wrote:What time of year is that Rocks the Box meet?
Coming out to Coalville tomorrow?? Not far from you.digga wrote:looks a good day out. still love the scoots, great to see them gaining popularity (around here anyway) Like the direction that the music gone as well..
Re: UK Newbie says Hello
You're right, its about 2 miles from me.riceburner wrote:Whenever I plan to organise it....digga wrote:What time of year is that Rocks the Box meet?
Coming out to Coalville tomorrow?? Not far from you.digga wrote:looks a good day out. still love the scoots, great to see them gaining popularity (around here anyway) Like the direction that the music gone as well..
I had all good intentions of going but got waylaid with a fencing job!
(i need to get the house and garden chores sorted, then SWMBO has no argument!)
i heard that it was very busy down there on Sunday - both car parks in use according to my source? God Squad, MAD,NABD plus the usual suspects that manage to get there most weekends (but don't go anywhere else!!
Crotch rockets mostly 
)Drop me a line when you do Box Hill
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riceburner
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Re: UK Newbie says Hello
Plus us.digga wrote:You're right, its about 2 miles from me.riceburner wrote:Whenever I plan to organise it....digga wrote:What time of year is that Rocks the Box meet?
Coming out to Coalville tomorrow?? Not far from you.digga wrote:looks a good day out. still love the scoots, great to see them gaining popularity (around here anyway) Like the direction that the music gone as well..
I had all good intentions of going but got waylaid with a fencing job!
(i need to get the house and garden chores sorted, then SWMBO has no argument!)
i heard that it was very busy down there on Sunday - both car parks in use according to my source? God Squad, MAD,NABD plus the usual suspects that manage to get there most weekends (but don't go anywhere else!!
Drop me a line when you do Box Hill
yes a lot of sports bikes but some oddities as well (XJR1400 with a chair?).Will put up a post or 2 about Box when I organise it.