Triumph Rocket III reviewette part 1

Disclaimer... Norvern Monkey so don't expect correct spelling, grammar or
witty prose.

Picked it up from local Triumph dealer (old mate) with zero miles on the
clock and listened to the riot act about running in revs.. yada yada yada.

First impressions from walk around the beast:
Not as cruiser-ish as the pics led me to believe, more of a custom look,
lots of chrome bits though . Engine block/gearbox looks awesome just like
someone has machined it out of a solid lump of something very heavy. Back
end of bike is the sweetest part of it, teardrop rear light and the widest
tyre I've ever seen on a bike, 240! Strange exhaust config but not
unpleasant.

First ride:
At a standstill this thing is really heavy although with the weight being so
low down it doesn't feel like it wants to topple. Once on the move the
weight all but disappears, the next strange thing is remembering to put your
feet forward to the footrests which I repeatedly forgot to do!
The throttle response is immediate though not too brutal until you get it
past the 1000rpm mark and then it goes mental up to about 3700, after that
the torque curve feels as if it's flattened out a little although its still
pulling like a train. The engine has got the same feel as an old straight
six beemer, almost turbine like and that smooth exhaust note that only
multiples of three cylinders seem to produce. The brakes are awesomely
powerful and had no problems hauling the bikes and my not insignificant bulk
to a halt in pretty short order with surprisingly little dive on the forks,
even under heavy braking. It all felt very composed which is quite
comforting on something that accelerates this quickly.
Cornering, now that is something I wasn't prepared for, I suppose it is a
trait of the custom/cruiser to totally ignore the input from the rider and
follow its own line round a bend, this was unnerving for me initially
especially as I had just ridden to the dealers on a gixxer. Actually, once
you are prepared for the experience it's not all bad and as long as you
don't try to force it round corners it's quite smooth and enjoyable.

Pros
Accelerates nearly as quick as the gixxer if you've got the bottle and don't
mind smoking the 240 on the back
Very comfortable
35mpg
Kudos associated with riding a 2.3l bike

Cons
12 grand (no matter how many times I looked at it, I couldn't see 12 grand)
On a hot day your right calf cooks next to the exhaust manifold (painfully
hot even through leathers)
Gearbox is very agricultural (letting the revs die off before kicking next
gear in helped a lot)

I will be taking it out again to finish running it in as I promised I would
but I doubt if I will be tempted to trade the gixxer in.

 

What's the mileage on a tyre. A friend is suggested touring Assen,
the Nuremberg Ring and the Mosel Valley next spring, him on his
Rocket and me on my TA. I foresee that we won't see much of each
other between stops.

 

As it was a test ride and only couple of hundred miles I couldn't tell you
but I would say it will probably square off pretty sharp if he gasses it a
lot from the lights )

 

Did you get your knee down?

 

Puff!

 

Grrrr..... the Nurburgring, which is no where near Nuremberg.

 

I know, I know. I blinked when using the Spull-Chukka.

 

Give the guy a break.
The Nuremberg ring road may not be your choice of holiday location
but some people like it.

 

Whilst lifting the front wheel?

--
Steve Parry
K100RS SE & F650
and a 520i SE Touring for comfort


(not forgetting the SK90PY)

http://www.gwynfryn.co.uk

 

At least I wouldn't have to keep a look out in my mirrors for a fast
bint in a bus.

 

Most people regard it as something of a trial, tho they used to hold
some rallies there years ago.

 

You shouldn't type so fast.

 

[snip]

Not good...

I'd got the impression that Triumph had fixed their gearbox clunkiness
but then again, this ain't exactly a standard box, is it?

Nice write-up, thanks.
--
| Wik -UKRMHRC#10- 2003 R1150GSA -DC#1 -'FOT#0 'FOF #39 - BOD#12 BOB#12
|# You don't believe me | "Experience is the worst teacher.
|That the scenery | It always gives the test first
|Could be a cold-blooded killer. | and the instruction afterward."
***** human response from wik at blueyonder dot co dot uk *****

 

I'm going for a test ride on one soon .
I recently had the chance to ride a second hand Honda Valk F6C .
My passengers loved it .
I sort of liked the fun of it .
Gas mileage was dreadful though .
And my VStrom has more bottom end and midrange punch .
Yes , the Honda would pull from 1000 rpm , but not with much strength .
Revved , the Honda was plenty quick for such a huge lump .
OTOH ... what's the point ?
So much weight that I'm sure a 600 Bandit would kill it in the twisties .
Round town posing was cool .
Girls who usually ignore me were curious ....



Meanwhile , pricing .
Hinckley have got to be joking at 12,000 UKPounds .
They're cute enough to sell it for way less than that in the US market .
The castings are OK , but rather crude compared with ,for example , the
Honda Hornet or my VStrom .
With it's all steel frame etc ... the bike should be quite cheap .
A fair UK price would be around 7,000 ---- 8,000 UKP .
If they can't make a profit , at that price , on such a relatively simple
and cheap design , they should call in some accountants .



Meanwhile I recently tested a Honda VTX 1300 ... stodge on wheels .

Almost as bad as Yamaha's dreadfully overpriced and rather dull to ride
MTO1 .
Has been rather a slow seller at my dealer's AFAICS .

Surprisingly loads of fun on the road is Yamaha's BT1100 Bulldog .
Superb brakes and excellent handling give very low A to B times .
'Whistles' through S bends etc ...

Still pick the Strom though .
Very fast , very comfortable ,excellent passenger space , steers real well ,
keenly priced , super TL1000-ish classic motor , awesome midrange thrust
..


Chris

 

" "