With 2458cc at the ready, the all-new Rocket 3 GT could well be the most brutal gentlemen’s express ever. It’s brash, built like money is no object and boasts torque figures that redefine the term ‘midrange grunt’.
Triumph wants to prove a point with this bike – Power is king. But is biggest best, every time? INFO MOTO takes to the tarmac to find out, once and for all.
What we like:
- Magnificent fit and finish
- Grunt like an angry razorback
- Everyone likes to be the biggest
Room for improvement:
- Harsh rear suspension
- 291kg dry. Really?
- Experienced riders only
Triumph Rocket 3 – What’s new for 2020?
The Triumph Rocket 3 R and GT both get an all-new engine. In fact the whole bike has been redesigned. All componentry of the longitudinal triple has gone under the microscope.
The new engine makes use of a dry sump design with integrated oil cooler. The six-speed helical-cut gearbox is new too, as is the slipper clutch and shaft final drive.
A refined electronic suite now provides the Rocket 3 with ride-by-wire throttle, full LED lighting, self-cancelling indicators, keyless starting and steering lock, TFT instrumentation, and an array of rider assistance systems – Cornering ABS and switchable traction control, a choice of ride modes and a Hill Hold feature (which activates the brakes until throttle is applied).
The smartphone app, MyTriumph, adds turn-by-turn navigation, call and text management, audio streaming and more.
Atop all that the GT gets full fruit like roomier seating, a seat height 23mm lower at 750mm, a backrest for the passenger, adjustable passenger pegs, a slightly taller flyscreen, and heated grips.
It’s much lighter than its predecessor dropping a massive 40 kilograms, but there’s still a hefty 291kg dry to pull up, so a sports bike it ain’t, but its pretty agile for such a biggie.
Images and videography by i4Media.
Snag’s career in motoring journalism spans 29 years with stints at major bike mags Australian Road Rider, Motorcycle Trader and AMCN along with contributions to just about every other outlet worth a hill of beans. He was editor of Unique Cars magazine and hosts his legendary podcast ‘Snag Says’ when he gets off his date.
Ah, the Rocket III, one of my favourites. I’ve owned an R3 Classic since 2009, it was my brother’s, he bought it new in 2007, rode it home, shit himself (As Greg says, “For experienced riders only”) and parked it for 2 years, with 36 Kms on the odo. I had a ball riding it home from Whyalla to Melbourne over 2 days, and have never felt overwhelmed by it’s (350Kg?) weight and massive girth.I own lots of other bikes (18 at last count) so don’t ride the R3 enough, but it really is a magic long distance bike with lots of stomp.
That boofhead Grant Roff typecast all R3 owners as short fat middle aged men with chips on their shoulders, so I guess I don’t fit the mould, I’m as tall as gRoff, but not as fat. Similarly those other duffers at the (now defunct sadly) AMCT have been misquoting BHP and torque figures of the R3 Classic when comparing it to the new kid on the block. My stock R3 (with a freer flowing Jardine “Big Boss” pipe, K&N air filter and Power Commander III USB) was dyno’d at Melbourne Triumph in 2010 and produces 141 BHP and 147 Foot pounds of torque, at the back wheel, so certainly won’t be left behind the new kid on the block, in a straight line, at least.
I won’t be rushing my friendly Triumph dealer for a new Rocket III though, as much as they have evolved into something that has all the current wizz bangery that manufacturers assume that us punters are lining up for, I’m more than happy to keep my current R3 classic until I turn up my toes. It has everything I need in a “Power Cruiser” and I can happily live without such necessities as ABS and riding modes etc, I’d hate to be someone trying to restore a modern bike in 30 years time, and trying to get all that crap to work again.
Once we come out of lockdown I’m riding my R3 from Melbourne to Darwin via Brisbane, Cannonvale and Cairns to visit friends and family, and I suspect my R3 classic will be a more enjoyable long distance tool than the new boys. If Leechy or anyone else would like to tag along to do a comparo, let me know.
Good onya Terry. I’m glad you are not as fat as Groff. He really has let himself go in retirement, but I prefer to remember the good times. Great to hear you are so satisfied with your previous model Rocket 3. There can be no doubt that mile-eating is that bike’s forte. Lane-splitting not so much. You wouldn’t be the first bloke to tell me that he will ‘keep my current [insert make and model here] until I turn up my toes’, and gone on to break his word. Let’s hope that dreaded day is a long way off Terry, for I feel we would enjoy a beer together.
The new bike is a different thing, for sure. I personally have embraced all the new tech, but your point is well made in regard to rebuilding one in the future. Nightmare. Still, right now any Rocket is a good Rocket.
Stay well, Snaggy.