Triumph Rocket III Touring

Back in 2004, Triumph rocked the motorcycle world with the christening of the shockingly large Rocket III. Even in a cruiser arena crowded with machines flexing motor muscles measuring 1600, 1800, and even 2000cc, this big bad Brit crashed the V-twin party with a titanic triple kegger that emphatically pounded the pavement with nearly 300cc more than the nearest competition.

When you have a cruising motorcycle that sports an engine pushing more ccs than a number of today's cars, it seems only logical that a touring version would be the next iteration. The initial assumption was that the Hinckley, England-based factory simply rush some accessory bags into production, hang them off the RIII and call it a touring bike. The engineers at Triumph weren't going to take the easy out, though. There were plans in place to use the stunningly powerful inline engine in a touring platform, but it was decided that patience and a lot of R&D would be the best route to punching a winning ticket.

Now, it's common knowledge that here in the Colonies, we appreciate quantity. But may I remind you that our former governors from across the pond have never shied away from laying on a fair heap of proportion should the situation demand. Double-decker buses, Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, The London Eye Ferris Wheel, and now the Rocket III Touring are just a few of Jolly Old England's exercises in super sizes, and so "bigger is better" is a trait we Yanks may have come by honestly.

Technical Specs

+ massive torque, comfort, stability

- weight, instrumentation

Distributor Triumph Motorcycles (America) Ltd.
MSRP $ 16,999
Engine in line 3-cylinder
Displacement 2294cc
Bore x Stroke 101.6 x 94.3mm
Fuel System multipoint sequential EFI
Power 107hp / 154ft. lbs. claimed
Cooling liquid
Ignition electronic EMS
Transmission five speed
Final Drive shaft
Frame twin spine, tubular steel
Front Suspension 43mm Kayaba fork, 4.7inches travel
Rear Suspension twin Kayaba shocks, 4.1 inches travel, adjustable preload
Rake/Trail 32º/7.3in (185mm)
Brakes Front/Rear 2 Nissin 4-piston caliper, 320mm rotors/Brenbo 2-piston caliper, 316mm rotor
Tires Front/Rear 150/80R-16 / 180/70R-16
Dry Weight 798lbs (362kg)
Wheelbase 67.2in (1706mm)
Seat Height 28.9in (734mm)
Fuel Capacity 5.8gal (21.9l)
Fuel Consumption n/a
Colors Jet Black, Jet Black/New England White, Jet Black/Tornado Red, Eclipse Blue/Azure Blue