Triumph Rocket III

[GS Drifter]

This has nothing to do with Beemers, but what do you folks out there think of the new Triumph III.

I checked one out today. Seems like one hell of a unique machine.

Just wondering if other BMW riders have been secretley eying them??

[Burnszilla]

from: triumphmotorcycles.com

http://www.triumphmotorcycles.com/images/dynamic/hi_res/2004%20RocketMainSmall.jpg

Rocket III

The first ever production bike to break the 2-litres barrier, the Rocket III is the ultimate power cruiser.

As alluded to by its name and alone among the cruiser fold the Rocket III is powered by a triple cylinder engine, an engine format that Triumph has very much made its own. Its fuel-injected, longitudinally-mounted, in-line three-cylinder engine has a cubic capacity of 2,294cc – 140 cubic inches – and uses the same size pistons as a ten-cylinder American muscle car.

But the impressive numbers don’t end there as the Rocket III makes more peak torque than two together of almost any other production motorcycle. To be precise, a massive 147ft.lbf torque at 2,500rpm, with 90% delivered at a mere 1,800 rpm.

This stunning triple digit number means, two-up, it will accelerate faster than pretty much anything else on two wheels.

But while the Rocket III’s statistics and its looks are striking, our motorcycles are built to be ridden, not just admired. Usability is a core belief at Triumph and an element close to the heart of every Triumph rider, so built around the Rocket III’s motor is a chassis that’s more than a match for its monstrous output.

Just as remarkable as the engine’s sheer motive force is the balance that’s been struck between power and control making the Rocket III a surprisingly easy-to-manage machine. The ergonomics are such that it’s no more of a stretch to the foot or handlebar controls than it is on the Triumph America cruiser model. This relaxed riding position, along with the hugely torquey engine, provides the perfect platform for stealing the limelight close to home or for eating up countless miles on a longer jaunt.

The standard machine is fitted with a detachable pillion seat and comes in Jet Black or Cardinal Red. There is also a whole range of Triumph accessories available for those who want to add a touch of their own personal style.

But make no mistake, the Rocket III is not just another motorcycle; it’s the ride of a lifetime. There isn’t a benchmark it hasn’t obliterated, a limit it hasn’t disregarded. It is, simply, the biggest and most impressive production motorcycle the world has ever seen. And added to the breathtaking riding experience are truly original looks that ensure it will never be mistaken for anything else.

Awesome is an over-used word but for the Rocket III it’s barely adequate.

Available Spring 2004

· Maximum Power 142PS (140bhp) at 5,750 rpm
· Maximum Torque 200Nm (147ft.lbf) at 2,500 rpm

[GS Drifter]

Well thanks for the ad copy -- but was wondering what fourm members actually thought of the bikes.

[roadcrave]

actualy, do you really want to know, by the time im in 5th gear triumph would be two states behind me....and out of gas...

[GS Drifter]

Well . . . I'm not buying that. The R3 (obviously a completely different class and catagory of motorcycle) is pretty damn fast. 0-60 in 3.8 seconds. That aint bad for a 800 pounder.

[MarkF]

Rider Mag review was not great but they gave it a pass just cuz it's sooooo big and got mucho power. I think it's a neat bike but they could have made it smaller, 1600-1800cc, and had a good bike. At least it ain't just another V-twin!

MarkF

[kbasa]

V-Max to the next power.

It's interesting, but not real interesting to me.

[deilenberger]

Moving this thread to the Clubhouse.. as the original poster stated.. not any real BMW content.

[Rob Nye]

Originally posted by deilenberger
Moving this thread to the Clubhouse.. as the original poster stated.. not any real BMW content.

Moving it over to the campfire, not much 'MOA or club content either.

Now that the administrative work is done, holy cow batman!

Talk about a Big Motor!

Thought for the day....

When is bigger and better too big and worse?

[rocketman]

Originally wasn't the Rocket III was made by BSA back in the 70's, (the 750 triple) and the Triumph entry of the same period called the Triumph Trident?? Both of which were WAY cooler! :D

I wasn't impressed with the ones I saw at Mid-Ohio, though when they fired up those engines THAT was pretty impressive! Not something you'd want to be standing if front of when it took off.

RM

[rmoser]

Yup, I owned a 69 BSA Rocket III up until a couple of years ago. Great sounding engine, lots of power (for the era, anyway) and it looked pretty nice as well.

Downside was that the seat was hard as concrete and the gas tank was way small (you really, really needed to start looking for a gas station at 90 miles or so).

Rather have one of the last Triples than this; it looks like it's one of those old Lotus slant 4 motors minus a cylinder shoehorned into motorcycle :D

Rob

[James.A]

I enjoy odd-ball, or perhaps I should say un-conventional designs. It looks vaguely like the pre-war Indian 4 cylinder. That bike had a 750 cc, ohv motor and a chain drive. An elegant motorcycle. Way ahead of it's time. The Triumph looks brutish by comparison.

[cluster148]

Rode one last weekend in Iowa.It's a monster!

Great bike for Mid America.It's a way to have fun riding on the long flat,boring roads of the Heartland.

But it would be a bear in the twisties.One guy who was test riding with us flew off into the ditch at the first curve in the road!

Clark

[donkey doctor]

Hello; I visited my not-so-local Triumph dealer when I heard he had a Rocket 3 in. It's huge, there will be a percentage of riders that it woll appeal to, but not me. It's certainly noteworthy.

A somewhat related item; I have been looking at a new Chrysler 300 station wagon, the one with the Hemi in it. I could use a station wagon to replace the PT Cruiser, and that Hemi is great fun. The Rolls Royce looks don't hurt either.

I'll take one of those Rocket 3's for a ride when the dealer has a demonstrater available, and may even change my mind about it's size, but until then, I will regard it as another niche of motorcycleing that doesn't suit my needs.

[ian408]

It reminds me of something you'd own just to say you own(ed)
it.

I looked at one recently and it is pretty cool. The red is a great
color. But practically, I couldn't see riding it anywhere that's
only accessible via twisty roads (dragging parts all the time) nor
that was any distance away.

Ian

[Cliffy777]

has addressed the "When is bigger and better too big and worse?" question.
I think the Rockett is a hoot. I would love to ride one for a little while, but I don't see myself buying one. Triumph is getting alot of attention for their "biggest production bike out there" - Good for them. I read a review (can't remember which of my monthly mags it was in) on it and they said it handled pretty dang good for being such a beast.
Maybe Triumph just needed the bragging rights. 0-60 in 3.9 IS impressive for an 800 pounder. Yee-hah....
To the question: I don't think the line of absolute silliness has been crossed yet, but we are getting close. Who can say when something is too big? Do sport bikes have too much power in their 350 lb chasis? When you see some of the dummies doing dumb things on them, yes. But if I was to buy one tomorrow, then no.
Most of "it" is in the rider, no?

[LRider]

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Having said that, I saw the TR III at the local dealer yesterday, and it struck me as being somewhat cumbersome. If I could afford a stable of a dozen bikes, I might have one, but definitely not on or even near the top of my list.......