THE Triumph Rocket 3 is a beefy roadster equipped with the world’s largest production motorcycle engine capacity of 2.5-litre.
The muscle machine comes in two variants of 3 R and 3 GT.
The Rocket 3 GT’s ergonomics is much more relaxed with laid-back cruiser attitude with easy to reach handlebars and backrest making this bike ideal for a long touring session.
Meanwhile the Rocket 3 R offers mid-foot controls with two vertical position settings that can be adjusted to meet the riders need with an upright sitting position.
My test unit was Rocket 3 GT.
Its engine comes with three hydroformed and hand-welded exhaust headers.
Masterfully crafted with excellent details, the exhaust headers are hand-welded due to the complexity of the shape.
The 3 GT’s iconic twin headlight fits well into the whole design.
Other features on this bike that further enhance the look of the Rocket 3 are sculpted fuel tank with Triumph’s signature design, brushed stainless steel tank strap and aluminium Monza-style cap, brushed aluminium air-box cover, brushed aluminium Monza-style coolant and oil caps, machined fins on the crankcases, brushed exhaust heat shields and end caps, and hidden folding pillion footrests with unique foldaway design.
The pillion pegs fold away neatly that you don’t even know they are there.
The Rocket 3 GT offers a full colour TFT screen, which has two dynamic information layout design themes that can be tailored, including a feature that allows the rider to personalise the start-up screen message with their name.
The instrument angle is adjustable for optimum visibility, and the onscreen information is easily controlled via the all-new illuminated switch cubes and 5-way joystick.
The TFT multi-functional instrument is packed with useful information like digital speedometer, trip computer, digital tachometer, gear position indicator, fuel gauge, service indicator, ambient temperature, clock and rider modes.
The bike is also equipped with My Triumph app which supports smartphone calls, music, navigation and GoPro.
This mighty roadster weighs at 294kg comes with four riding modes – Road, Rain, Sport, and a Rider.
Each of the riding modes offers different throttle response and traction control.
Other rider aides available include Hill Hold Control, Cruise control, keyless ignition, and push-button steering lock.
I rode the bike with a 18-litre fuel tank to Teluk Intan via the Plus Highway and the back roads of Bidor and returned to KL via the new highway from Teluk Intan onto Kuala Selangor and Kuala Lumpur.
After a good 40 minutes of riding on the backroads of Bidor, the Rocket 3 GT was definitely a perfect bike for this type of cruising.
The Rocket 3 GT’s handle was wide and allowed a natural reach.
The ergonomic was spot on. I did not feel any aches on my shoulders, back, or my legs.
There was ample space on the saddle for me to move and enough leg room too.
This beast can hold a straight line in any circumstance, be it corners and twisties.
It is simply amazing, that a bike of this size is agile and fast.
Very little effort is needed to challenge any corners. I did not have to push the bike hard to take the corners. Taking corners was effortless even at high speed.
This 2.5-litre motorcycle with huge tyres will impress anybody with its handling in the corners, where the front tyre is 150mm and the rear is whopping 220mm.
The Rocket 3 GT comes with the Avon Cobra Chrome tyres, exclusively developed for it.
While riding on the highway, the backroads, and a few encounters with traffic jams, I realised that bike felt half its weight.
The weight distribution on this bike is simply spot on and feeling like a mid-sized bike.
For a light person like me, this is good news.
The suspension of the bike is applaudable.
The front is the adjustable upside down (USD) Showa forks which is firm under hard braking and rebounds gently.
Meanwhile the rear suspension is an adjustable Showa monoshock that soaks up all the imperfection on the roads thus giving me a comfortable ride.
On the highway, every time I upshift, I can feel the torque from the bike’s engine.
Overtaking vehicles with this machine is easy with the torque delivery coming in smooth and strong.
You will never be left behind on the highways unless you want to.
The potent combination of the abundant horsepower and faultless torque delivery equals impeccable acceleration which makes this bike a treat to any speed aficionado.
The Rocket 3 GT offers the world’s highest torque of any production motorcycle offering 221Nm of torque at 4,000rpm, and 165hp at 6,000rpm.
Now with so much power, this bike has Brembo as a reliable partner.
The front wheel is fitted with a pair of Brembo M4.30 four-piston radial-mounted Stylema front calipers biting the 320mm discs.
Meanwhile, the rear is fitted with a Brembo M4.32 4-piston monoblock caliper with a 300mm disc.
Both brakes are equipped with Cornering ABS.
I did manage to do a few sudden stops to test the brakes and there is no reason not to feel safe with the brakes.
Truth be told, I did ride beyond the approved speed limit as I could not resist holding back the “tonnes” of power in my palm.
I twisted the throttle hard and believe you me, the bike was cruising at a speed where any sane person will go speechless.
One of my riding mates who was on his touring bike, was impressed with the Rocket 3 GT’s speed.
He was trying hard to keep up with me on straight roads and corners.
When we finally stopped, he had only one thing to say – “Unbelievable”.
The gears and clutch on this machine were smooth and light despite the size of the engine.
I was expecting a heavy clunky sound when I engage my gears but instead, every gear change be it upshift, or downshift was quiet.
Meanwhile, the clutch pull was feather-light and I only used three fingers most of the time.
The only time I used all the fingers was when I was feeling frisky and wanting to push the bike beyond the legal speed limit.
Priced at RM139,900 (without insurance, road tax and registration), the Rocket 3 GT is definitely a head turner.
Besides being an eye candy, what is there not to like this machine.
You must test ride the bike to experience the pure joy of a 2.5-litre machine which is so easy to manage.
Bikes designed with the punch and thrills of the Rocket 3 GT don’t come by often but Triumph has nailed it.
SPECIFICATIONS
Triumph Rocket 3 GT
Engine: 2,458cc, DOHC, water-cooled inline 3-cylinder
Maximum power: 165hp at 6,000rpm
Maximum torque: 221Nm at 4,000rpm
Transmission: Six-speed
Front suspension: 47mm Showa USD fork adjustable for compression and rebound damping; 120mm travel
Rear suspension: Piggyback Showa monoshock adjustable for spring preload, compression and rebound damping; 107mm travel
Front brake: Brembo M4.30 Stylema 4-piston radial monoblock calipers, dual 320mm discs with Cornering ABS
Rear brake: Brembo M4.32 4-piston monoblock caliper, single 300mm disc with Cornering ABS
Fuel capacity: 18 litres
Dry weight: 294kg
Price: RM139,900 (without insurance, road tax and registration)
Keyword: Triumph Rocket 3 GT: The mightiest of them all