Triumph Rocket III

[MartinVigo]

Hello fellas!

I've seen a few rockets up here in Scotland. Never really thought about them, but after I spoke for a few hours with a owner of this beast, I started to think that I would be great travel companion.


Back home I did a bit of research... not much information, not many owners. A lot of online magazines reviews but no real people travelling in real world with this bike. Why?. Too much power?, Too expensive, reliability, weight??

I know taht most of people here, prefer a light off road bike... but for those who travel 2 up and like cruisers... this should be a dream machine???:confused1: (and is brithish). I am a big fan Peter/Kay Forwood and they did it on a HD electra.

What do you think guys? Is there any owner out there?, Do you think it will do RTW?

Thanks

Two models, roaster and touring

Have a nice ride

/

[g6snl]

Me and the missus met a couple in France last year, as we were passing through, they were on a Rocket. Bloody hell they are huge! Anyway they were on there way to Tiblisi,Georgia and were not in any doubt about their choice of armchair ride. It did look very comfy. They were all kitted up for camping too. Dunno if they made it, no reason to think otherwise.

It wouldn't be my first choice simply because I couldn't afford one or the running costs, and quite honestly............... I just aint man enough. But yeah why not if your up for it..............and you're man enough

[Walkabout]

Originally Posted by MartinVigo

Hello fellas!

I've seen a few rockets up here in Scotland. Never really thought about them, but after I spoke for a few hours with a owner of this beast, I started to think that I would be great travel companion.


Back home I did a bit of research... not much information, not many owners. A lot of online magazines reviews but no real people travelling in real world with this bike. Why?. Too much power?, Too expensive, reliability, weight??

I know taht most of people here, prefer a light off road bike... but for those who travel 2 up and like cruisers... this should be a dream machine???:confused1: (and is brithish). I am a big fan Peter/Kay Forwood and they did it on a HD electra.

What do you think guys? Is there any owner out there?, Do you think it will do RTW?

I have no doubt that a Rocket 3 can tour, very effectively, and, therefore, can go around the world.
The performance, and other figures, for this bike are impressive, in their proportions as a minimum; e.g. the torque generated by the engine, the wheelbase, and the size of the purpose designed rear tyre which I believe is still the largest production tyre fitted for road bikes.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triumph_Rocket_III

The side view of the engine always reminds me of a naked goldwing and the 3 pistons are reputed to be of a bigger diameter than those fitted in a Dodge Viper.
Yet, the all up weight is a not-exceptional 1/3 tonne approximately; slung very low it should be manageable and compareable with many other cruisers.

I haven't ridden one of them, but I have taken a test ride on a Honda VTX1800, for which the torque is something to be experienced:-
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_VTX_Series

The Rocket produces considerably more torque so it has to be worth the experience.

[jeepster09]

I had a Roket 3 and loved it. I sold it due to lack of field support [no dealers to speak of anywhere here in the USA]. Never had ANY PROBLEMS with it, but felt if I travelled with it and broke down, I would of been out of luck getting parts.

[Danny Diego]

I guess any bike is fine for a ride -- even RTW -- but I can speak a little about the R3.

I bought a new Rocket III Touring in 2009 and have put 40k miles on it since. I've ridden it all over the US (several times), Canada and Mexico. It's a comfortable enough for long-distance travel but HEAVY. Two-up riding is OK, but there are better touring and 2-up bikes out there.

Mileage isn't great but there's plenty of power.

There were and are some mechanical issues that have plagued the bike; worse, Triumph has refused to acknowledge and address them.

There are at least two really good owners sites where you can get first-hand info from guys just like me---all the pros and cons.

I love the bike but must say there are plenty of other bikes that may be better suited for travel.

I hope this helps.

[MartinVigo]

Originally Posted by g6snl

Me and the missus met a couple in France last year, as we were passing through, they were on a Rocket. Bloody hell they are huge! Anyway they were on there way to Tiblisi,Georgia and were not in any doubt about their choice of armchair ride. It did look very comfy. They were all kitted up for camping too. Dunno if they made it, no reason to think otherwise.

It wouldn't be my first choice simply because I couldn't afford one or the running costs, and quite honestly............... I just aint man enough. But yeah why not if your up for it..............and you're man enough

After what you said, I did some research... is a beast and a thirsty one!
https://www.fuelly.com/motorcycle/tr...0iii%20touring

Te question is not if we are man enough... is how many? It weight almost 400kg! full. But is a cruiser so the low centre of gravity (thanks buddy) it will compensate that. I ride a Vulcan 800, 250kg and it feels light as a ballerina.

The running cost... agree totally with that one, but in the other hand, what a way to travel!, style and comfort... . We must agree that off road bikes and adventure mules are... ugly as hell!.

[MartinVigo]

Originally Posted by Walkabout

I haven't ridden one of them, but I have taken a test ride on a Honda VTX1800, for which the torque is something to be experienced:-
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_VTX_Series

The Rocket produces considerably more torque so it has to be worth the experience.

Could you tell us something about that experience?

[MartinVigo]

Originally Posted by jeepster09

I had a Roket 3 and loved it. I sold it due to lack of field support [no dealers to speak of anywhere here in the USA]. Never had ANY PROBLEMS with it, but felt if I travelled with it and broke down, I would of been out of luck getting parts.

Beautiful bike! like the colours.
So It seems that Triumph doesn't take care in the american market?. I am very surprise to hear that. In a country dominated by HD, customer care and attention to detail should be their main aim if they want to attract attention. That and a 2300cc engine

[MartinVigo]

Originally Posted by Danny Diego

I guess any bike is fine for a ride -- even RTW -- but I can speak a little about the R3.

I bought a new Rocket III Touring in 2009 and have put 40k miles on it since. I've ridden it all over the US (several times), Canada and Mexico. It's a comfortable enough for long-distance travel but HEAVY. Two-up riding is OK, but there are better touring and 2-up bikes out there.

Mileage isn't great but there's plenty of power.

There were and are some mechanical issues that have plagued the bike; worse, Triumph has refused to acknowledge and address them.

There are at least two really good owners sites where you can get first-hand info from guys just like me---all the pros and cons.

I love the bike but must say there are plenty of other bikes that may be better suited for travel.

I hope this helps.

Thanks Danny!

All bikes fail sooner or later I guess there is not a trouble/free motorbike, but again is a surprise to heard that Triumph do not care much. What problems you suffer or have suffered?

Could you tell us some pros and cons from your point of view?

What about the panniers capacity? and pillion comfort with that amount of torque?

Cheers

[Walkabout]

Originally Posted by MartinVigo

Could you tell us something about that experience?

Well, in your latest post you mention torque, and that is what it is all about.
Massive torque = massive acceleration capability from zero revs.
So much so, that you have to be a tad careful in twisting the grip; it really does pull your arms off.
Engine braking is there in spades of course; basically that bike is all about the cruiser riding "style" with the typical character of large V twin engines.

That's the 1800cc Honda. I fully expect that the Triumph provides a similar riding experience.

Originally Posted by MartinVigo

Beautiful bike! like the colours.
So It seems that Triumph doesn't take care in the american market?. I am very surprise to hear that. In a country dominated by HD, customer care and attention to detail should be their main aim if they want to attract attention. That and a 2300cc engine

I've heard similar second hand kind of comments about Triumph in the USA market, but I have also been told that they have pulled up their socks in recent years for their customer service approach in the US; it would be interesting to hear of any recent feedback on this, but probably better if it were made in the Triumph forum (?).

Following on from bringing the Rocket 3 to the market Triumph have made their second effort toward the big-engined cruiser market with the Thunderbird at 1600cc, and now a 1700cc I think, but certainly a parallel twin; there's a bike worth a test ride!

[jeepster09]

Here are a couple more pics, I did love the bike!

[Danny Diego]

Originally Posted by MartinVigo

Thanks Danny!

Could you tell us some pros and cons from your point of view?

What about the panniers capacity? and pillion comfort with that amount of torque?

Cheers

The problems are mainly electrical (ignition is a biggie) and replaced under warranty. Still, it's frustrating when Triumph REPAIRS the problems AFTER you break down but won't just recall the faulty parts and repair them BEFORE we end up on the side of the road.

Passenger comfort is just OK but nothing like a Goldwing or a large Harley (Ultra Classic, for example).

The side bags are fairly small but do the trick. I don't have the exact litre capacity.

[Drew-62]

Have had a Rocket 3 for some 7 years now….and although it suits what I bought it for it would not be my pick for a RTW or long distance tourer. Here's my reasons why:
a. Too thirsty,
b. not the most comfortable bike to ride,
c. Fat rear tyre doesn't like dirt very much - sits on top…skatey
d. overall weight
e. lack of serious luggage capacity

Don't get me wrong….I love my Rocket….and they don't call it a '
power Cruiser" for nothing.

Great for a weekend blast with your pillion in a million, but would not be my choice for a serious tourer.

Hope that helps

[metal machine]

Ah, this idea popped into my head also as a 'crazy' option. At the moment it's staying in my head only, but if anyone has taken a Rocket off the beaten track, I'd be very interested to hear how they got on! The main problems I imagine would be the hideous impracticality - trying to get spares and servicing, replacing the rear every 3000 miles, dropping a 350+kg bike (400+ laden) countless times and possibly getting trapped under such a behemoth, seeing a £12k bike getting battered and bruised, trying to load it onto a plane/ship/boat, trying to keep it upright on unsealed roads. No matter how great the bike looks, sounds, and accelerates, that stuff would surely get tiresome after 10,000+ miles.

On the plus side, it has ABS, shaft drive, and a 25 litre fuel tank. And imagine the look on the Triumph dealer's face when you roll up in Australia, Cape Town, or Argentina, ask for a service, and told them where you rode it from!