Page 119 - Motoring World (January 2020)

integrated component, the result is
an extremely stiff chassis package
despite its sheer length. The R
especially is a marvellous piece of
packaging, an ultra-long wheelbase
motorcycle with rangy steering
geometry that seems a much smaller
bike in the way it steers.
Both versions of the Rocket 3
were unexpectedly capable in terms
of stopping, steering and overall
handling, and vastly more so than
the old bike, thanks partly to the
monster Avon Cobra Chrome tyres
fitted to both versions, with a
150/80 17-inch front matched to a
240/50-18 rear. Specially developed
for the Rocket 3, these gave
improbably good grip — especially
the rear one when asked to put all
that torque to the tarmac leaned
over exiting a turn.
For whatever reason, the GT was
the surprise, being noticeably easier
to flick from side to side thanks to
the wider pulled-back handlebar.
Normally, I don’t much care for feet- One area where Triumph has
forward riding, but I was actually downsized on a bike in which it’s
sorry when I had to swap bikes, otherwise gone large is the fuel
having soon learnt to tuck my tank, which has been reduced to
heels in with the footrests nestling just 18 litres from the old Rocket III TRIUMPH ROCKET
in my instep if I didn’t want them Roadster’s 24 litres. This has to fuel 3 R & GT
chamfered down! Ground clearance a very thirsty motor, especially when
was pretty good on both bikes, it’s used in something approaching POWERTRAIN
and the grippy tyres certainly give anger — like on a press launch! Displacement 2458cc, inline-3
heaps of confidence in riding Theoretical range should be around Max power 165 bhp@6000 rpm
these bikes hard. 260 km, but I was one of several Max torque 22.43 kgm@4000 rpm
Do that, and you’ll need the best whose fuel light came on soon after Transmission 6-speed
brakes in the business to stop a bike 160 km — sorry, I have a heavy CHASSIS
this heavy, and fast — and that’s right hand! But this is an issue in Type Full aluminium frame
what Triumph has equipped the countries like Australia or South BRAKES
Rocket 3 with. The last time I rode a Africa, let alone in parts of the USA, F/R 320-mm twin discs /
motorcycle with the new Triumph’s and I have a feeling Triumph may be 300-mm disc
Brembo Stylema four-pad calipers forced to address this sooner or later. TYRES
gripping the 320-mm twin front That apart, the new Rocket 3 duo F/R 150/80 R17 / 240/50 R16
discs was the Ducati Panigale V4 are a tour de force for Triumph — a
R Superbike homologation special pair of musclebikes that handle, DIMENSIONS
— so that tells you the level the which are likely to appeal to lots of L/W/H (mm) NA/NA/NA
British firm is batting at here. The customers who wouldn’t otherwise Wheelbase 1677 mm
rear 300-mm disc is even matched buy a cruiser. Think of them both Ground clearance NA
to a Brembo M4 32.4 Monoblock — the R, especially — as a Speed Seat height 773 mm/ 750 mm
four-piston caliper, the same brake Triple on steroids, and you’ll get the Dry weight 291 kg / 294 kg
fitted up front to factory Ducati picture. No doubt about it, less can Fuel capacity 18 litres
Superbikes until last year, here used be more, sometimes — but more of PRICE ` 18 LAKH onwards
at the rear! everything is pretty hard to beat! ■ (ex-showroom)

JANUARY 2020 | MOTORING WORLD 119