Anyone have any experience with these bikes? I'm thinking very seriously about buying one-and would like to get some practical info from someone that rides one, or has friends that ride one.

I want an additional bike for a touring machine, I don't like big twins-and my search led me to this bike. At 2,294cc's-it's got quite the ginormous motor in it!

I know I saw one at the local Ironhorseman Drag races, and loaded up with camping gear it was only one race away from winning his division.

I have been doing my research on the bike online before I go to the dealer-and I can honestly say that there isn't a single thing about the bike that I don't like. Would be nice if Triumph offered antilock brakes as an option.

I have been doing my research on the bike online before I go to the dealer-and I can honestly say that there isn't a single thing about the bike that I don't like. Would be nice if Triumph offered antilock brakes as an option.



I haven't ridden one, but I've talked to people who have. Overall impression is that it rides nice, is fast, but handles like a pig...

Well, a little piggishness will be acceptable. I'm looking at it for a two-up touring bike. When I want to play in the twisties, I have the Sporty!

It's pretty powerful with it's big motor (runs 11's stock), but IMO it's on the ugly side. If you like it, then I would get it. With over 2000 cc's, it's probably the biggest motor out there.

When I've seen them and heard them, I've been rather disappointed. That large flat sided engine block looks rather boring, and they sound, well, a bit quiet. Not what I would have expected.

it's probably the biggest motor out there.Yes it is.

i test rode one earlier today.went about 4 miles following a salesman. torque up the ass.third gear 30 mph about 1000 rpm cranked it pulled really good.didnt really like the bars.it rode nice.left leg got a little warm. over all i liked it.

Oh yeah, it'll come in handy if you need to pull any tree stumps out. :)

Max power: 140 bhp @ 6,000 rpm
Max torque: 147 ft lbs @ 2,500 rpm

I haven't ridden one, but I've talked to people who have. Overall impression is that it rides nice, is fast, but handles like a pig...

Haven't ridden one myself but a friend is a service manger at a multi dealer that sells Triumph-BMW-Kawasaki.
He said the same thing,total pig for handling at slow speeds.
Harley E-Glides may not be as fast but they are way more comfy and handle much better at low speed.
The new '08's have pretty good power and better handling at higher speeds than previous years,might want to look at all the touring bikes out there and get some test rides in before jumping on any of them. ;)

I really like them too. I still haven't had a chance to take one out yet. Maybe next week. The sound isn't quite what I expected either, but I don't ride bikes for the sound. The gas tank takes a little getting used to also. It doesn't look that big from the side, but when you sit on it, that thing is freakin' huge.

When I've seen them and heard them, I've been rather disappointed. That large flat sided engine block looks rather boring, and they sound, well, a bit quiet. Not what I would have expected.
Thengine looks like it was puled straight from some piece of Agricultural equipment. With some flashy bits and pieces it could look quite impressive!

I really like them too. I still haven't had a chance to take one out yet. Maybe next week. The sound isn't quite what I expected either, but I don't ride bikes for the sound. The gas tank takes a little getting used to also. It doesn't look that big from the side, but when you sit on it, that thing is freakin' huge.

I saw one while I was getting my 5K service done at Riverfront HD. It looks a little bit like a buffalo from the side (big broad shoulders). I liked the look and the sound of the one I saw!

I test drove a 2007 in June and WOW I was pretty impressed. Put it this way, I had a 2001 Yamaha Vmax with 128 RWHP and this thing felt as fast to me! Now I dont know if it was because this heavy bike hauled major ass or what but compared to my Sportster and Road Glide, my poor Harley's would have been eatin alive! I can say that if I were to buy a Triumph that would be my first choice, plus it handled and rode very comfortable. Hope this helps yah out!

By all accounts it is a well built, smooth, reliable machine. Certainly more than enough power for two-up touring and it should be "roomy" with that long chassis.
For me, I'd have to go with a much lighter, more nimble, BMW R1200RT or the Guzzi Norge for touring. They have enough power to crack 130 mph, and that's good enough for a touriing machine.

I saw one while I was getting my 5K service done at Riverfront HD. It looks a little bit like a buffalo from the side (big broad shoulders). I liked the look and the sound of the one I saw!

What? You were in town and didn't give me a shout?

Anyone have any experience with these bikes? I'm thinking very seriously about buying one-and would like to get some practical info from someone that rides one, or has friends that ride one.

I want an additional bike for a touring machine, I don't like big twins-and my search led me to this bike. At 2,294cc's-it's got quite the ginormous motor in it!

Absolutely fantastic bike! And very well suited to touring. Much better suited to touring than coping with peak hour traffic in a commute :p
We've had ours for a couple of years now and I adore her! Yes, it is much quieter than a harley and without the same note / tone / rhythm; it does have three cyclinders after all. But I've heard quite a few that have made them much louder if that is desirable- it doesn't hurt quite as much to lose a few horsepower with short open pipes when you've got 140hp and 147ft-lbs of torque to start with.
There is a tonne of room for the pillion and luggage. And the acceleration is to absolutely die for- the roll-ons in 5th are really quite amazing! No hesitations or worries with overtaking, you always know there is instantaneous power and reaction. She corners pretty well; not a sporty through the bends by any means, but still for a large bike it handles with manners. And the brakes really work (which is more than I can say for the Heritage); though just coming off the throttle and or changing down a gear slows you up pretty well too.
I can't sing the praises of the Rocket enough. Very reliable, nothing has fallen off her yet. Good handling, power to burn, and heaps of room. With the seat set-up the pillion doesn't get any head buffeting. Quite a smooth ride though a couple of friends have changed their suspension set up to lessen the rebound on the bumpy country roads. We don't have the classic, so can't talk for the floor boards and big one-piece seat. We had a custom pillion seat made as the stock one leaves a lot to be desired; I've done 6-8 hours a day in it without worry. This bike just eats up the kms....
When I am sitting back and putting my feet up as a pillion this is my bike of choice by a long way! :D And when I'm riding my own, she still acts as the pack horse with my extra luggage. And when she is back to a solo seat (which is a lot of the time we're not heading off for a weekend) she still looks damn sexy (well in my eyes anyway :p )
http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x37/sheltiemad/Rosie%20Rocket/110-1018_IMG.jpg

Thanks for all of the great information! I'm going to seriously think about adding one of these beasts to the stable.

What? You were in town and didn't give me a shout?


:offtopic Heck I should have! they took a while longer on my bike than i thought they would. It's only about a 25 min drive for me from home to Riverfront HD. When I'm not being a fireman or mr. mom, we sould meet up.

I have a buddy that rides one. He has gone thorugh three bikes in 18 months, but is very happy with the Rocket III. He let me sit on it and I was surprised how well balanced it was, especially for a heavy bike. He says ot handles well and has PLENTY of pwer.

Here's a video of a Supercharged R3

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I haven't ridden one, but I've talked to people who have. Overall impression is that it rides nice, is fast, but handles like a pig...

I have ridden one and considering the displacement and weight I actually think it handles very well.

When I've seen them and heard them, I've been rather disappointed. That large flat sided engine block looks rather boring, and they sound, well, a bit quiet. Not what I would have expected.

Just like HD there are quite a few aftermarket exhaust systems available (In the Uk at least) and whilst it's not Potato etc... You can get them to sound damn fine...


Haven't ridden one myself but a friend is a service manger at a multi dealer that sells Triumph-BMW-Kawasaki.
He said the same thing,total pig for handling at slow speeds.
;)

Having recently tried both, I would have to respectfully disagree... It is a heavy bike and the weight does sit slightly higher, but compared to the SG I rode I would find it hard to rate either of them better than the other.

I think the Triumph is a great bike, after riding it I have decided it's not for me. But in all honesty that's more because I love HD as a product than for any practical reason. Try one, if you like it buy it... If you don't then buy something else...

Good luck...

I took an '07 Classic out for a ride today. Sitting on this thing at a stand still, it feels HUGE. Once you get moving on the highway, somehow it shrinks. It doesn't feel nearly as big. The power is very controllable, the bike is amazingly well balanced, and very maneuverable. I love this bike even more now. The only problem, Motorcycle News released these spyshots a couple of days ago. Do I get one now, or wait for these to be released....

Heres the text:

Here are the world’s first pictures of the final version of Triumph’s (http://www.motorcyclenews.com/Shared/PageTemplates/Article.aspx?id=90926) Rocket III Touring – which shows that the bike bears an almost remarkable resemblance to the Harley-Davidson Road King (http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/bikereviews/searchresults/Bike-Reviews/Harley-Davidson/Harley-Davidson-FLHR-Road-King-1993-current/?&R=EPI-396).
This motorcycle was first revealed in MCN more than a year ago, and now we have exclusive photographs taken by MCN’s spy photographer on UK roads in its final tests.
The Rocket III Touring boasts a revised riding position and a larger screen plus fold-out pillion footboards among its features.
For further information on the features of the Triumph (http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/bikereviews/searchresults/?N=189%20150) Rocket III Touring’s features and also how it can turn in to a V-Max killer, check out this week’s edition of MCN, available from Wednesday, August 15, 2007.

Spy shots of the new Rocket III Touring:

http://www.motorcyclenews.com/upload/198057/images/triumphspy07.JPG

http://www.motorcyclenews.com/upload/198057/images/triumphspy11.JPG

http://www.motorcyclenews.com/upload/198057/images/triumphspy20.JPG

which shows that the bike bears an almost remarkable resemblance to the Harley-Davidson Road King (http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/bikereviews/searchresults/Bike-Reviews/Harley-Davidson/Harley-Davidson-FLHR-Road-King-1993-current/?&R=EPI-396).


maybe the front fender (a little bit) and the saddlebags, but otherwise i don't see the resemblance at all?


well, it is huge and has two wheels and a headlight...so i guess they're right. :doh