Countdown to new Rocket 3
180bhp/166lb.ft triples celebrate 20 years of Triumph’s muscle bike
Triumph are ramping up their onslaught of 2024 new bike releases with a pair of updated 2.5-litre Rocket 3 cruisers that pump out a monstrous 166lb.ft of torque at just 4000rpm.
As before, there will be a more aggressive R and distance-focused GT, however both are now known as Storm models and will be priced at £23,195 and £23,895 respectively.
Both will be powered by a revised 2458cc three-cylinder engine that meets Euro5✚ regulations, with bikes hitting dealerships in April.
You’ll need strong neck muscles because peak power is a claimed 180bhp at 7000rpm - representing a 15bhp and 2.9lb.ft increase over the previous model, which first arrived on sale in 2020.
“The Rocket has already achieved global sales of more than 18,000 since the 2.5 litre engine was introduced in 2019,” Triumph’s Chief Commercial Officer, Paul Stroud said. “By listening to feedback from our customers, we know they love the Rocket’s muscular presence and heartstopping performance. We also know that riders desire even more.
“That’s why the new Rocket 3 Storm R and GT have been given an impressive power and torque increase, even greater agility and an even darker, moodier style and presence on the road.”
Special milestone
The new Rockets help mark 20 years of the tarmac-rippling muscle bike range, and also feature a new design to the 16in rear and 17in front rims – with the company opting for a 10-spoke cast aluminium design which reduces unsprung mass and should improve agility.
Although we’ve been impressed with the Rocket 3’s ability to corner since it was updated for 2020, the changes are unlikely to transform it
into a dainty super-naked, thanks to a 320kg wet weight for the Storm R and 317kg for the Storm GT.
Two versions
The same aluminium frame remains as before on both bikes, as does the 18-litre fuel tank, with economy claimed at 42.8mpg.
That said, the riding position and bar placement are quite different. The GT features bars which are a whole 125mm more upright than those on the R, with the seat height on the touring version now 23mm lower at 750mm.
The footpeg position is also different, with the R getting mid-mounted controls with two settings and 15mm of vertical adjustment. The GT, meanwhile, is more laid back, with three horizontal adjustment steps across 50mm of travel. Both machines feature blacked out, retractable pillion foot rests.
Impressive handling
Despite their 300 kilo-plus mass, both Rocket Storms should continue to make a decent stab of going round corners, thanks to chunky 47mm Showa upside-down forks which are adjustable for compression and rebound, with 120mm of travel.
At the back, you’ll find a fully adjustable piggyback Showa monoshock, with remote preload adjustment and 107mm of wheel travel. Both are front and rear are manually adjustable.
The suspension works in
‘We know that riders desire even more’
conjunction with four-piston radially mounted Brembo Stylema calipers, which bite down onto 320mm discs, complete with lean-sensitive cornering ABS at both ends.
But that’s not the end for electronic intervention, with a ride-by-wire throttle allowing for cruise control. There’s also lean-sensitive traction control and four riding modes (road, rain, sport and riderconfigurable) for both models, as well as keyless ignition and a USB charging port with dedicated storage space under the seat. Being a premium Triumph, you get a TFT dash, and there’s a quickshifter available as one of the 50-plus official accessories. The bikes are due to arrive in dealerships next month.