Harley-Davidson Doesn’t Build An Engine To Challenge This Cruiser
The world of motorbikes isn’t as much of a game of Top Trumps as the automotive industry. Whereas cars, especially of the muscle variety, tend to do a lot of their point scoring with the replacement of their huge V8 engines, bikes are a little humbler. Ultimately, you don’t need a ginormous engine and an unhinged output when it comes to two wheels; it’s simply not necessary. Well, that’s not strictly true. And one manufacturer set out to not only break a record with the size of the engine in its production motorcycle, but show that you can have a lot of fun riding it too.
Motorbikes Don’t Need Huge Engines…Right?
Your average Motorcycle probably weighs in the region of 400 lbs, a bit more or a bit less depending on what you go for. This means that bikes don’t need huge power or torque to get them moving or hit high speeds. Just look at the Ducati Panigale V4 R, one of the fastest motorbikes ever created. Its Desmosedici Stradale R engine isn’t even a liter in displacement, coming in at 998 cc. But hitting 16,500 rpm in sixth gear (16,000 in the other ratios) and delivering a maximum power of 207 hp at 13,500 rpm, this bike will not stop accelerating until 205 mph (with the optional racing exhaust).
That’s fast enough, right? But what if speed isn’t everything, and you want exhilarating acceleration and all-day any-gear effortless riding combined, two-up or on your own? Then you are going to need a decent slug of torque and a bigger engine. For big-engine cruising, Harley-Davidson is the company that instantly comes to mind, but it doesn’t make the biggest engine on the block right now. That honor goes to a company on the other side of the pond…
The Triumph Rocket 3 Is The Most Badass Bike On Sale
The Triumph Rocket 3 replaced, slightly confusingly, the Rocket III. Also, slightly confusingly, they are two quite different bikes. The original Rocket III was a muscle cruiser launched in 2004 with an incredible 2.3-liter 12v in-line triple and five gears. This thing has 120 hp and 147 lb-ft of torque, with a top speed of 135 mph and a quarter mile time of 11.7 seconds, all done with the minimum of fuss. But then things get really confusing. Triumph reinvented the same bike into a kind of sports muscle roadster, while updating the engine to produce a frankly outrageous 163 lb-ft of torque, and upping power to 144 hp.
But Triumph was only just getting started. The original Rocket III took a brief hiatus in 2017, only to come back as the Rocket 3, a muscle roadster that made the original look a bit underengined. The new bike (initially available in limited TFC trim, as well as R and GT) arrived looking like a cross between a one-off custom, a concept, and Batman’s daily driver. It also had more power, more torque, and a bigger engine.
The Rocket 3 Has An Engine Bigger Than A Lot Of Cars
And we aren’t just talking about small city runabouts either. The Rocket 3’s all-new 2,458cc triple engine instantly claimed the title of world’s largest production motorcycle engine, and it overshadows many sports and medium-sized cars too. A new Mazda Miata? That will have a naturally aspirated Skyactiv-G 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. A 2016 Porsche 718 Boxster S? That will be a turbocharged 2.0-liter unit. 2018 Ford Mondeo? That will be a 1.0-liter. We could go on, but the bottom line is this: the Rocket 3 has a bigger engine than a lot of decent-sized cars.
The Rocket 3 Lives Up To Its Name
At launch, the new Rocket 3 engine had 11% more power than its predecessor, with peak power at 165 hp at 6,000 rpm. The torque figure was up to 163 lb-ft, which Triumph said was 71% more than its closest competition. The torque is designed to peak at 4,000rpm, holding maximum torque all the way through the mid-range.
The mill also benefited from a new crankcase assembly, a new lubrication system comprising dry sump and integral oil tank, and new balancer shafts, meaning it was also 40 lbs lighter than the previous generation. There was even a new ‘torque assist’ hydraulic clutch for the rider, which reduces lever effort. This was connected to the Rocket 3’s all-new high-performance six-speed helical-cut gearbox, specifically designed to handle the high torque levels. It may weigh almost 700 lbs, but the Storm is quick enough, with a sprint to 60 mph in 2.73 seconds.
Triumph Went For Even More Power And Torque
Of course, Triumph didn’t stop there. In 2024, Triumph announced the completely epic Rocket 3 Storm GT and Storm R. Torque was now up to 166 lb-ft, and power was now up to 180 hp. As a further improvement, the Rocket’s 16-inch rear and 17-inch front wheels were updated with a sportier ten-spoke cast-aluminum design, reducing unsprung mass. As of 2024, Triumph said it had sold more than 18,000 Rocket 3s since the 2.5-liter engine was introduced in 2019. The Rocket has proven that having a huge engine doesn’t have to be a hindrance to everyday usability and popularity.
Harley-Davidson Doesn’t Have An Engine Big Enough To Compete
We all love a Harley, but when it comes to pure engine size, the American brand (or pretty much anyone else for that matter) can’t compete with the Triumph Rocket 3. The Milwaukee-Eight series of engines ranged from 107 cubic inches (1,753 cc) to 117 cubic inches (1,917 cc) at its debut, expanding to the Milwaukee-Eight 121 (1,982 cc) today. You can also get a Screamin’ Eagle 135 Crate Engine, which has a displacement of 2,212 cc. And by the way, the Honda Gold Wing makes do with a 1,833cc unit.
The Rocket Is An Unexpected Bargain Used
If you are used to searching for your dream car online, there is something very refreshing about looking for dream bikes. Many two-wheeled icons are surprisingly affordable, and the Rocket is no different. Starting with the original Rocket III, you can pick these up for little more than $3,000 on Bringatrailer.com.
A 2008 Triumph Rocket III Touring sold recently for just $3,100, coming with a two-up seat, a passenger backrest, molded saddlebags, and even an unattached sidecar. Similar first generation bikes have also gone for around the same price. The newer Rocket 3 is naturally more expensive, but definitely attainable. Recently, a 2022 Triumph Rocket 3 R Black with just 8,000 miles on the clock sold for $9,100.
New Triumph Rockets Cost Less Than Mazda Miata
Alternatively, you could buy a brand-new Rocket 3 from Triumph for around $27,000. Special mention goes to the new limited-edition Rocket 3 Evil Knievel edition, built to commemorate the legendary stuntman’s 1967 Caesar’s Palace jump, where he leaped 141 feet over fountains on a Triumph Bonneville. The Mazda Miata MX-5 starts at $30,430, so if you can make do without four wheels and a roof, the Rocket would make a cheaper alternative to one of the world’s best loved sports cars. Size might not always matter when it comes to bikes, but when it does, the Rocket 3 soars above the rest.
Related posts
Latest Post
No Comments