Triumph Rocket 3: So, This Is What A 2500cc Motorcycle Looks Like

RIDES

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It was 15 years ago when Triumph released a motorcycle powered by a 2.3-liter powerplant. Not only did that monster of a bike set the record for the biggest production motorcycle engine, it went practically unchallenged in the decade and a half since. It’s only fitting that a reboot of that model is what takes its place and that’s exactly what the Triumph Rocket 3 does.

No, it’s not the biggest engine you’ve probably seen on a bike, with custom builders regularly creating some of the most ostentatious motorcycles in that regard. As far as production bikes go, though, this is as powerful as it gets, making it the best option if you want the beastliest and gnarliest two-wheeler you can get your hands on.

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The Triumph Rocket 3 is equipped with a massive three-cylinder 2500cc engine that puts out an astounding 165 horsepower and 163 pound-feet of torque. We know, that’s some serious power and one look at the bike makes it apparent just how big that longitudinally-mounted powerplant is. Triumph likes to call the bike a “muscle roadster,” which is great, although the actual aesthetics, with its brutish size, large forward-facing air intakes, and highly conspicuous exhaust tubes, feel more like a cross between a motorcycle and a starfighter straight out of a science fiction movie.

While the engine is bigger compared to its 2004 namesake, the bike is a full 98 pounds lighter, which means that more powerful is propelling an even lighter bike. Along with the engine, it gets a sculpted three-header exhaust, a six-speed high-performance helical-cut gearbox, and a slip-and-assist hydraulic clutch, all of which contribute to what the outfit describes as a “beautifully smooth, responsive, and refined ride.”

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The Triumph Rocket 3 has a fully-adjustable Showa monoshock RSU suspension and 47mm Showa cartridge front forks providing the rider with exceptional handling and  riding comfort, while Brembo Stylema brakes deliver immediate stopping power made more consistent by increased airflow around the brake pads to keep the calipers cool. Being a modern motorcycle and all, it gives the rider plenty of tech at their fingertips, including optimized cornering ABS and traction control, four different riding modes, customizable TFT instrument panels, cruise control, hill hold control, and even an optional shift assist. It gets all-LED lighting, from the signature twin headlights, taillights, indicators, and even the number plate illumination, along with imposing Avon Cobra Chrome tires wrapped around the intricate 20-spoke wheels.

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It comes in two versions: the R and the GT. Both are mostly the same, although the R places the foot pegs in a mid-mounted position, while the GT sets up the controls in a foot-forward manner. For comfort, it gets a sculpted rider and pillion saddle mounted at a relatively low seat height, with two adjustments foot control points for the R and three from the GT. Other enhancements in the GT include an extended fly screen, heated grips, and height-adjustable pillion backrests.

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The Triumph Rocket 3 will be available next year.

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4 Responses

  1. The Triumph Rocket 3 looks cooler than any modern Harley. Harley Davidson really needs to step up its game. You know there are some Hardcore Harley fans out there who will still criticize the Triumph Rocket 3, even though it outperforms Harley in any category. Harley has had a huge problem appealing to the younger riders, and the few younger people who do want a Harley cannot afford to buy one.

  2. Harley-Davidson has problems on numerous levels. The traditional “bad boy” on a Harley doesn’t appeal to the younger people. Harley can change focus and try to market their bikes differently, but then their older riders will get upset. Of course, the average age of a Harley rider is retirement age, so most of their customer base will be dying off soon or at least unable to ride.

    In order to appeal to younger people, Harley has introduced the street bikes. The Harley Street 500, Street 750, and the Street Rod are liquid-cooled bikes designed for use around town and as a cheaper way to get into Harley. Unfortunately most hardcore Harley riders mock these bikes and some Harley dealers constantly try to get the potential customer to at least get a Sportster Iron 883 instead. Harley dealers and riders are alienating potential customers.

    The biggest downfall of the Harley Street 500 and 750 is that they are not built to the same quality standards that other Harleys are. It is obvious that Harley cheaped out on many of the components and assembly of the bike. For the price Harley is asking for the Street bikes, a much better, powerful, and more reliable bikes are available from Honda, Kawasaki, and Suzuki.

    If you are buying a Harley for the sound, then the Street bikes won’t be for you either because they sound vastly different from the Softail lineup.

    The Harley Davidson V-Rod did appeal to young people. but the high price kept many people from buying one. Lack of sales and Harley eradicated the V-Rod from their lineup.

    Harley is coming out with the Electric Livewire bike. The bike actually looks great but is greatly over-priced at $30,000. Young people can’t afford one, but even if they could, there are much better electric motorcycles on the market.

    The most interesting things coming from Harley are their new bikes. In 2020 Harley will have an Adventure Touring Model and a Future Streetfighter Model.

    The Harley Adventure Touring Bike is designed to have you sitting in a more upright position than their cruisers, while also being able to be used for some light off-road use.

    I personally love the way the Harley Adventure Touring bike looks, but who the heck are they making this for? Traditional cruiser riders won’t be buying it, and there are better and lighter adventure styled bikes such as the Honda Africa. True adventure bike riders won’t be looking to buy one of these. I could see myself buying one, but knowing Harley it will be priced at $20,000. Why would I spend that on a Harley Adventure bike when I can get a Honda Africa for $5,000 less?

    Initially Harley was calling their future Adventure bike the Pan America, but now they have since just been calling it an Adventure Touring bike. Harley cannot even decide on a name, but regardless, the bike probably won’t sell well. It may be a great bike, but for the price, it will be much too high for true adventure bikers.

    The Harley “Future Street Fighter’ is also a new model that is coming out in 2020. Now the styling of the Future Street Fighter is exactly what Harley needs to attract younger riders into a Harley Dealership. The performance of the bike is yet to be determined, but it can be assured that Harley will price this bike too high also. As much as younger people really like the design and performance of the bike, many of them will simply buy a Kawasaki Ninja 650 or something similar since they are such as great value.

    For V-Rod fans such as myself, we can take solace that in 2021 Harley will be bringing out a “Future Custom Model.” The prototype they have shown looks amazing and with 1200 CC, it will rival the V-Rod. It is not a V-Rod unfortunately but looks like the closest we will get. Now, this bike is expected to be priced at a minimum of $25,000. A few rich doctors and dentists will buy it, but the youth will be shut out again because of the high pricing.

    I actually like a lot of what Harley puts out, but when I can buy a much better bike from other companies such as Triumph, then I can see why Harley is struggling so much.

    The Triumph Rocket 3 is a great bike, but more importantly, it will get riders into a Triumph dealership and they will see the other more affordable options that they offer such as the blacked-out Bonneville T120, which is one of the best looking motorcycles made today.

  3. Young people can afford to buy a Harley, just not a brand new one from a Harley dealership. There is a huge number of used Harleys for sale and when younger people do go and buy one, they get it from Craiglist or Cycle Trader. Why would they buy a new one when it will instantly lose so much value? Yes, Harleys, in general, tend to keep their resale value a bit higher than other brands, but you will still lose a lot of money buying new. If you are patient and have cash in hand, you can often find lightly used Harleys with only a few miles on them for real cheap. Many potential riders have bought into the lifestyle aspect of buying and riding a Harley, then once they get one, they realize that a bike such as the Harley Davidson Street Bob might not have been the best bike for them since they are new to riding motorcycles. Instead of having fun on the bike riding, they are scared of the power it has. Even if you want to buy a new Harley, start off with a smaller bike such as the Honda Rebel 300 for your first bike. Learn to ride properly and safely and then upgrade to a Harley.

    By starting off with a smaller engine bike, you will get more confident with your riding skills mich faster.

  4. Harleys are typically over-priced, but a lot of the appeal to people is to “be seen” on the Harley. They like to flaunt they are able to afford one. Would these riders be better off with a different bike brand? probably, but to these riders the image of being seen is more important than the actual riding of the bike. I ride bikes because it is fun and I could not care what other people think of my bikes. I prefer riding dual sports because I am not limited to the pavement. I can take my bike and ride into the mountains away from everybody else. You can’t do that on a Harley, so when Harley riders mock my bike I just laugh, because no Harley model can do the type fo riding that I do.

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