Triumph Rocket III Tourer. Words, Pics & Video By BD & Co-pilot. The Tourer version of the Triumph Rocket Three shares the same bore and stroke and previous incarnations of the Rocket Range but it runs a different tune. A Standard Rocket III with its 2.3 litre capacity, develops 140bhp at 6,000 rpm, but that's hardly ‘standard' so lets call the original version the cruiser from now on. The Cruiser has been my benchmark for top gear roll-ons since we deputed it in the October 2004 KR. The Tourer is 'de-tuned' down from 140bhp to 106bhp @ 5400 rpm - but it compensates in increased torque. The Cruiser produces 147ft.lbt of torque at 2,500 rpm whereas the Tourer develops maximum Torque of 154ft.lbf @ 2,025 rpm. Power down thirty-four ponies – while torque is up – yes kids ‘up’ – seven foot-pounds. Earlier Hinckley Triumph Thunderbird and Sprint owners will be familiar with the English manufacturer’s fondness of ‘tuned for torque’ or ‘tuned for power’ in variants of the same model. The Tourer is definitely tuned for torque. Shortshifters R us. The five speed gearbox, wet multi plate clutch – mounted at the front of the motor - and the shaft final drive are similar to the Cruiser release. It’s got three more gears than it really needs and they are massive components for a motorcycle, but the gear changes on the Tourer were clean and with all that torque on tap, not terribly frequent. The well designed heel shifter is a welcome addition. I used it more than usual on a bike fitted with one. But then the bike takes off quite easily in third gear with minimal clutch slipping anyway. No small torque indeed. I was walking through the Triumph NZ warehouse with Triumph UK’s Chris Willis when we se stepped over a Rocket III engine, on a palette, that had just arrived from the UK. ‘See that starter motor’ he said. Pointing to one of the few things still hanging off a big motor as it’s packed for transport. ‘That starter motor makes more torque than the standard engine in a famous vee-twin.’ ‘The starter motor!’ I intoned incredulously. ‘Yes. More than a the whole motor.’ ‘Same size pistons as a Dodge Viper too’. I knowledgably hedged. So you can imagine what the rest of the motor pulls like. It’s a beautiful thing to ‘twist’ away the Ks. It ‘torque-screws’ along beautifully and has a wicked dose of top gear overtaking ‘bam’, 2-up and fully loaded and wow. Just wow. Hang on girl. Co-pilot wasn’t particularly comfortable with the standard rear accommodations. Her long legs had her weight leaning back and all that ‘bam’ tended to try and send her backwards. She was confident that a backrest – as fitted to the Cruiser we tested – would resolve the issue entirely. Order it when you order the bike. As for the rider’s allotments, they are as good as it gets. The capacious saddle is gel padded and lounge chair comfy. The handlebars are wide and pulled back and feet rest on wide (folding) foot boards. For a big man, or for those that just like a big (huge) motorcycle the tourer is eminently comfortable. Wheel-ey good. No, not like KR stalwart Stretch wheelstanding the big unit, I mean the wheels. The Tourer has a different set of wheels to the Cruiser style Rocket. The Cruiser has a 150/80 R 17 up front while the Tourer has a 150/80 R 16 that tends to sharpen up the steering somewhat, but the real difference is in the rear end. The Cruiser sports a quite massive 240/50 R 16 rear tyre while the Tourer is a more realworldly 180/70 R 16. Not only does a 180 section save a chunk of cash when it comes to replacements – it also provides better cornering and overall handling. The 21 spoke cast alloy wheels fit the look of the bike well. The tourer is the most ‘chuckable’ of the Rocket variants – if you can call a 357kg (dry) motorcycle chuckable. But it is surprisingly nimble due to a very low center of gravity and I did throw it around with some abandon. For the style, size and type of bike it is, it really is quite impressive. The Kayaba 43mm forks with fully shrouded uppers and 120mm travel on the front and the rear with Kayaba chromed spring twin shocks featuring 5 position adjustable preload and 105mm wheel travel do their job nicely. I gave it a spirted run over the Kopu saddle and from Whangamtta down to Wahi and the big beast was a real joy. It negotiated the tight stuff well and the ground clearance surprised me. I suspect that most of it is down to the rear tyre profile. As you would expect from one with a 2.3 litre engine the fuel economy and range is not the bike’s strong point. The warning light came on at around 200km and showed about 50km left in the countdown computer – but then it offers plenty of other compensations. All that power and torque is delivered to the back wheel via an efficient shaft drive and it enhances the smoothness of the roll away the distances aspect. The Tourer comes with a large windscreen that The Ed loved. I preferred it removed. It takes under 5 seconds to remove and is just as easy to replace. The riding position and the ergonomic provided by the wide pull-back handlebars meant I could lean into the wind at speed nicely. But in the end I keep coming back to the torque and the way the bike kind of ‘screws’ along. It makes me grin on the inside. There are a range of Rocket III demos at Triumph dealers around the country. If you like a big bike that sure 'gets along', we recomend you try one on for size. Serious mumbo.
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The 'R3T' makes a fine cruiser as well. It is mild mannered aroud town courtesy of a low centre of gravity and the massive torque. It's easy to ride in traffic and around town. Its massive presence turns plenty of appreciative heads too. 
Rolling through the countryside is also delightful. 
I see it more as the 'De Ville' of the Rockets rather than a touring bike. It's a great boulevard cruiser, the skinier rear end and better ground clearance give it the character and manners of a large 'standard motorcycle' and it hammers like a drag bike when you open the throttle. To label it 'just' a tourer does its general duties capabilities a disservice. I could quite easily live with one as my daily ride.
Stretch prefers the Cruiser style and the 140 horsepower tune. But then he has his own agenda.
'See that starter motor...' said Chris Willis. |
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