Bonneville America Forums Forums General Motorcycle Forums Other Bikes Rocket III gets high marks in Popular Mechanics

I just got my new issue of PM (May) and low and behold, there's an article reviewing the newest line of "Power Cruisers". Those included in the review were the HD NightRod Special, Honda VTX 1800F, Kaw Vulcan 2000 Classic, Suzuki Boulevard M109R, Triumph Rocket III, Victory Hammer S, and Yamaha Star Warrior.

Here's what they had to say about our favorite brand:
Quoted from May 2007 Popular Mechanics

If ever a bike lived up to it's name, it's this beast. The Triumph's engine delivers 140hp and 147 lb.-ft. of torque. WOOF! It was the ONLY bike to run in the 11 second quarter mile bracket. Be WARNED: This is not for the novice. The Rocket III isn't forgiving and doesn't coddle. Quickly cranking the throttle wide open in just about any gear results in an accelerative force that is downright FRIGHTENING!. But for the skilled, experienced rider, the Rocket is one fun and rewarding ride. It's neat to know that the Triumph can bury anything on the road. In day-to-day driving, the Rocket handles pavement irregularities nearly as well as the cushy Kawasaki. Bend the Rocket into a corner and the bike feels big and heavy. On a tight mountain road it takes some muscle to tackle quick transitions. The Triumph has the tallest seat height of the bunch, too, so shorter riders need no apply. Like the Honda and Harley, the Rocket III exudes quality, and it feels much more expensive than its price tag suggests. When raw muscle matters most, the Triumph is the undisputed heavyweight champion.

It's about time we start getting press like this, especially in mainstream mags such as PM. Way to Go Triumph!!!

What do you mean 'we'?

Interesting. Most magazines leave the Rocket III out of so-called "muscle cruiser" comparisons. I think I've only seen setups like the RIII vs. some nekkid Japanese Sport bike.

"We" as in Triumph riders. You have to admit that Triumph is not what you would call a mainstream brand, it takes a special type of person to appreciate what our bikes are and what they stand for. I'm just impressed that Triumph is being included in niche's normally reserved for the more "mainstream" mass produced POS. IMHO.

Kyle

IT was a pretty good article. They are a lot less biased than most bike mags, ya know? Well maybe biased isn't the right word, but it's a different perspective anyway.

Triumph can bury anything on the road.
I'll never get tired of reading that!!

it's a good thing i've got a speedmaster and not a rocket 3. cause if it were reversed, they would probably be burying me!

thorn

I gotta ride one of those puppies...although not cosmetically appealing to moi.....everyone and every review says the beast handles with aplomb. Every review seems to say the same thing about twisting the throttle in any gear and what to expect from same.

I oughta be ready for a ROCKET in another year of riding experience.

But then again do I or we really need 140 HP and 147 of torque? prolly not but it'd be fun to find out eh?

a friend of mine has a Rocket and let me ride it all I can say is WOW!! Handling isn't as bad as the article makes it sound and there is no throttle position that bike doesn't like and no matter what gear or RPM if you nail it HANG ON!! After about 1/3 throttle you are just hanging on for the ride!! I WANT ONE!!! LOL

It really is too bad the left side is fugly. I heard a rhumor at the demo rides that some guys are painting that chrome air intake cover thing on the left the same color as the bike, tones it down a bit. They should have just made the tank the full size, then had a hollow pocket in there for whatever hardware that covers...

remember....beauty is in the eyes of the beerholder...err. ah.. I mean, ah, beholder The rocket does have the looks only a mother could love.

the bike gets much better looking as you ride it, and that chrome cover covers up the overflow tank

Frank

i test rode a rocket III last month at the triumph open house. candy appple red with the black engine. UNBELIEVABLE!!! THAT BIKE WOULD GET ME KILLED! i twisted the throttle really quick. it leaps down the road. it is scarry quick. i thought it looked good.

I've test ridden one twice. The power is awesome. I also think it handles amazingly well for a bike of that size. I want a blue and cream Classic R-III. But alas, I don't have 16k dollars laying around.

The Rocket on the Autobahn is sweet.

I've seen a Rocket III at Firebird Raceway in Phx,Az.Local shop took it down there on track day.I guess for as big and heavy as they are they handle good.Been on a few rides with Rat and they seem to handle ok from what I could see and yes they are FAST!!!! One ride we went on a kid on a Electra Glide swore up and down he was going to get a R3 after that ride.We were in the mountains and all the Triumphs could leave him with no problem.He was not a happy camper on his big old $26,000 Hog. His hole family all has Harley so I dought he'll ever switch over.He could have bought two or three Triumphs for what he paid for that Harley.One day----opps.

I don't know what they are talking about in terms of a high seating position. That bike is setup almost like the TBA and Speedie, isn't it? It is a great handling bike and an engineering achievement. If you are into really fast tractors, this is your ride!

I had no problems with the seat height, and I've got a pretty short inseam. Fit me probably within a half inch of the TBA's fit. It's sooooo hard for me right now to not just go sign the paperwork for one. Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on your perspective) I have other goals. Dang it all.

It definitely sits higher than your normal low slung cruiser. It just looks similarly proportioned because the tank is high.

My nephew has a rocket and it is flat out the fastest, quickest bike I have ever ridden, and it handles well for a bike as big as it is.