NEW BIKE NEWS
Reinvented Rocket 3 heads an enticing threesome of standout new Triumph models for next year
A trio of new triples, plus the best late summer/early autumn deals.
TRIUMPH HAVE THREE tasty new bikes for 2020. After a couple of years flooding the retro market they’re full-tilt in the other direction with cutting-edge machines and at the forefront is this hightech Rocket 3, with a specialedition Daytona and all-new Tiger in hot pursuit.
The reborn Rocket is a big ’un, with a rather significant 2458cc from three bin-sized cylinders. There’s little in common with the previous Rocket III, launched back in 2004 and killed off a couple of years ago. The old engine was already huge at 2294cc but the
new inline triple is far more oversquare (110.2mm x 85.9mm), with redesigned crankcases and balance shafts, and a change to a dry sump. It’s a staggering 18kg lighter. That’s like removing the weight of an average five-year-old. Exhausts are ‘hydroformed’, where highpressure water expands a tube in a die, eliminating welds and allowing a smoother form and more complex shapes (while also being cost effective). Grunt? There’s a ridiculous 163 lb.ft of torque. It’s almost twice the grunt of BMW’S bonkers S1000RR, dished out at a little over a third of the revs – a rumbling 4000rpm. Though the old Rocket made the same torque, the peak is delivered 1250rpm higher and as power is essential – revs x torque – there’s more horses with 165bhp at 6000rpm. That’s 11% more. Thrust is delivered via a new transmission with helical gears and hydraulic clutch. An aluminium spine frame doubles as the airbox. A chunky 47mm Showa fork hangs at 27.9 degrees with 134.9mm of trail (steeper and shorter than the old bike), with a single-sided rear and fully-adjustable Showa shock. Tyres are 150/80 R17 front and 240/50 R16 rear, on 20-spoke wheels. Swanky new Brembos, too. With further kilos saved, in total the new Rocket is over 40kg lighter than its ancestor. That’s lots. There are two versions: the ‘ultimate muscle roadster’ R, and a GT with small screen, lower seat, pillion back rest and pulledback ’bars for ‘even more effortless touring capability’. Both models feature a gizmo-laden TFT dash (derived from the Scrambler 1200), cornering traction and ABS, cruise, hill hold control, keyless ride, plus neat fold-away pillion pegs. Over 50 official accessories, too. Don’t expect much change out of twenty grand for either.
‘Almost twice the grunt of BMW’S bonkers S1000RR…’