Earlier this year, the Rocket 3 made a strong comeback with the TFC badge. Barely two months after its launch, all 750 units were sold out. Now, Triumph has unveiled the standard Rocket 3 without a production cap in not one but two variants – the Rocket 3 R and the Rocket 3 GT. They share a large number of features with the Rocket 3 TFC though it misses out on a few premium bits like carbonfibre panels and the Arrow exhaust.
Powering the Rocket 3
The Rocket 3 Twins are powered by a 2500cc, inline-triple engine, the biggest engine seen on a production motorcycle yet. The engine produces 164.7bhp at 6,000rpm which is 11 per cent more than the predecessor and a staggering 221Nm of peak twist, making it the torquiest production motorcycle engine.
Triumph has managed to shed 18kg off the engine compared to the previous engine in a Rocket 3 despite the 200cc bump in displacement. With the new crankcase assembly, new lubrication system and new balancer shafts, the engine is not only lighter but now redlines higher at 7,500rpm.
Keeping this maniacal engine sane is Triumph’s new electronic package with an IMU developed by Continental, allowing the Rocket to have features like cornering ABS and lean-sensitive traction control as standard. Riding modes include Road, Rain, Sport and a custom riding mode.
All about the new chassis and equipment
One of the biggest changes in the Rocket 3 is the new aluminium chassis that uses the engine as the stressed member. The central spine of the frame which bolts around the engine is hollow and the doubles up as the airbox. This has allowed the bike to drop 22kgs, which coupled with the lighter engine, makes the new Rocket 3 a whole 40kg lighter than the predecessor.
Suspension duties are handled by 47mm adjustable forks from Showa and a fully adjustable monoshock with a piggyback reservoir. Shedding speed on this behemoth are Brembo Stylema monobloc callipers clamping two 320mm discs at the front a single 300mm disc at the rear.
The standard models aren’t robbed of the luxuries like hill hold control, cruise control and even the second-genration TFT console from the Scrambler 1200and TFC variant. Triumph is also offering optional Bluetooth connectivity, including GoPro control via switchgear.
Devil is in the details
The Rocket 3 R is the British brand’s sporty roadster, that aims to take on the Ducati Diavel 1260. The R variant gets a flatter handlerbar and neutrally-positioned footpegs along with roadster-like seats.
Triumph has also made a ‘laidback’ version of the Rocket 3, the GT, which gets touring-style handlebar, roomier and lower (by 23mm) seats than the R variant. The GT also gets a backrest for the pillion seat to ‘secure’ the passenger, a bigger windscreen and heated grips as standard, which is offered as an accessory for the R variant. Triumph is offering more than 50 accessories, including a Highway Inspiration Kit to customise your Rocket.
Though the company has not announced any launch date or the prices, we expect this bike to go on sale early next year in the international markets followed by the India launch at the end of 2020. The Triumph Rocket 3 faces no direct competition with the Ducati Diavel 1260 being the only closest competitor.