2024 TRIUMPH ROCKET 3 STORM R AND GT

We don’t know whether to applaud Triumph for boosting the power output of the new Rocket 3 by 15bhp (nearly 10%) or berate it for holding out on those ponies for the past few years. Because the Hinckley engineers have produced this serious power gain without a single hardware change to the gigantic fore-andaft triple engine. They’ve simply dialled in the additional oomph via the engine management system, presumably by tweaking rev limits, throttle plate openings, and fuelling changes. Of course, when you have 2458 of god’s own cubic centimetres to play with, phat gains are a bit easier to access, but it’s still impressive.

The 2024 bike’s performance figures also boast an extra 3ft-lb of torque to 166ft-lb @ 4000rpm. Those two numbers make the

Rocket 3 both the most powerful and the most torquey bike ever made by Triumph, now pipping the 178bhp Speed Triple 1200RR on pure peak power (the Rocket has been the torquiest bike full stop for decades, of course).

Grunt injection aside, the new Rocket 3 gets a couple of updates. The wheels are now 1kg lighter cast aluminium 10-spoke items, and the bike now has an additional name – Storm. There are two variants, the Rocket 3 Storm R and the

Rocket 3 Storm

GT – with the R having more roadster kit, and the GT a bit more touring comfort.

The GT’s seat is lower, the bars are wider and pulled back, the flyscreen is bigger, and there’s a pillion backrest built in. The GT also has front-mount footrests and pedals, with the R placing those parts in a more conventional mid-point. The seat, screen, handlebar and footpegs can be swapped around though, so you can specify your own set-up from the dealer using the accessories programme.

The new bikes will be in the shops soon, priced at £23,195 for the R and £23,895 for the GT.

www.triumph.co.uk