First Ride: Triumph’s Rocket 3 Storm is a heavyweight of the motorcycle world
The Rocket 3 Storm has a car-like engine underneath, but what else does it offer? Jack Evans finds out.
What is it?
But is the Rocket simply an ultra-large engine and little else or is there something more going on underneath the skin? We’ve been out on it to find out.
What’s new?
There’s plenty of electronic wizardry going on, too. The Rocket 3 utilises lean-sensitive ABS and a special Torque Assist system which helps to make gearchanges as smooth as can be. There’s even cruise control to transform those long-distance journeys on the Rocket into something a little easier than you might expect.
What’s it powered by?
Up front on the Rocket you’ve got a 47mm Showa forked, while in the middle sits a monoshock from the same brand. Helping to bring the Rocket to a stop are beefy Brembo Stylema brake calipers with twin 320mm discs, while at the rear there’s a Brembo four-piston caliper with a powerful 300mm disc.
What’s it like to ride?
Of course, that engine dominates the character of the Rocket but it’s more nuanced than you might expect. At idle it brings a rich, meaty noise – but thankfully without too many vibrations – and at speed, it’s barely ticking over. In fact, when coupled with the standard-fit cruise control the Rocket tackles big stints admirably. Despite its cruiser look and feel it doesn’t fall apart when things get twisty, either, with the 2.5-litre engine’s sheer abundance of torque meaning that you can simply roll on the throttle – in any gear – and get loads of acceleration as and when you want it. Without any real forward wind protection, it’s a blustery affair but, after all, this is no touring bike.
How does it look?
There are three colourways available on both GT and R specifications, too, but both get the same blacked-out detailing and coated exhaust section.
What’s the spec like?
All bikes include a handy TFT multi-view instrument readout, too, where you’ll find key information such as speed and revs and trip details. Plus, all models have ultra-bright LEDs, with powerful LEDs in the front and rear lights, indicators, and number plate illumination to ensure you’re as visible as possible at night.
Verdict
The Triumph Rocket 3 Storm is unlikely to be for everyone. It’s relatively heavy, quite relaxed and a far cry from the stripped-back bikes that we’ve seen released lately. However, it’s more capable than its looks may lead you to believe and there’s an inherent silliness to having this size of engine available on something with two wheels.
It’s expensive, for sure, but the Rocket 3 Storm is so well executed that it’s unlikely to disappoint those after a fast and capable cruiser.
