Triumph Rocket III Roadster

When Triumph introduced the original, groundbreaking, Triumph Rocket III as its flagship model in 2004, it was always destined to be an instant cult classic. Now, five years later, here comes an even meaner version of the biggest bad boy motorcycle that is set to write new chapters in the Rocket III legacy: the Rocket III Roadster.

As the name suggests, the Rocket III Roadster moves away from the 2004 original’s cruiser orientated styling. The 2010 model takes more of a streetfighter influenced stance with its mid-mounted pegs and blacked out components. Of course, it retains the very essence of what made the original Rocket III great: commanding presence, surprisingly sharp handling and a forceful 2,294cc three-cylinder engine that makes even more power and torque than its predecessor.

The result is a motorcycle that continues to deliver a unique riding sensation that every red-blooded rider should experience in their two-wheeled career.

More Power; More Torque; Better Brakes
The key developments on the Rocket III Roadster include an upgraded engine offering 15% more torque than the original Rocket III, and a 6% increase in power. Plus, the 2010 model adopts the precision stopping power of anti-lock brakes. This is the first time such a safety device has featured on a Rocket III.

New rider and passenger seats have been designed for increased comfort and roadster-style ergonomics. Revised rear suspension offers greater control and comfort, while the look has been changed with two different black color schemes, less chrome and new exhaust pipes for a more balanced look. Customers can order their Roadster in one of two black options: the classic metallic Phantom Black or a mean Matte Black for a stealthier approach.

Quality Matters
Triumph places a great deal of pride in the quality of its products, and one of the primary goals of the Rocket III Roadster development team has been to implement even higher levels of detailing on the new model.

The Rocket III Roadster is assembled at Triumph’s state-of-the-art factory in Hinckley, United Kingdom, and benefits from the latest production methods and a number of quality updates to make it the most refined Rocket III yet.

Modifications to the gear design and selection mechanism makes for a lighter and more precise action, while the clutch and shaft drive internals have been upgraded to cope with the increased power and torque output.

Newly-designed cam drive components have been introduced for the Rocket III Roadster to reduce engine noise and increase the overall refinement of the 2.3 liter unit. The engine management system features a new, CAN-enabled ECU running Triumph’s latest software. As a result, the Rocket III Roadster has improved drivability with better control and a smoother pick-up than the outgoing Rocket III.

Engine
Triumph’s engineers spread their magic over the venerable 2,294cc three-cylinder engine, reworking the exhaust system to increase the already massive torque figures by 14%, to 163ft.lbs at 3,250rpm. Power is also up, by 6bhp, to 146bhp at 5,750rpm.

Those torque figures put the Rocket III Roadster in a class of its own, making significantly more than any other volume production motorcycle on the market. Twist the throttle in any gear and an irresistible wave of torque thrusts the Triumph forward in a manner befitting the Rocket name.

With its stomping torque and crisp fuel injection, the Rocket III Roadster responds quickly, cleanly and strongly at any speed and in all gears. The 12-valve unit features a bore and stroke of 101.6 x 94.3 mm, with twin butterfly valves on the throttle bodies and sensors for throttle position, engine speed, engine position, engine temperature, air temperature, air pressure, gear selected and road speed, which combine with the new ECU to determine the correct fueling and ignition to tailor the torque curve for each gear ratio.

The engine itself is solidly mounted in the frame and used as a stressed member. This gives the stiffest connection between the headstock and swingarm pivot, while the fully balanced three-cylinder layout ensures that vibration is minimal. The forged 39lb crankshaft runs in four bearings with the individual crank pins set at 120°, firing dual sparkplugs per cylinder order from front to rear. The balance, input and rear drive shaft contra-rotate against the crankshaft, which makes for minimal torque reaction. However, the mass of the big engine spinning up can still be felt at standstill – a measurable part of the Rocket III’s appeal. The crank itself is also placed extremely low in what is already a low-slung engine, further contributing to the bike’s overall low center of gravity.

The main airbox and filter are situated under the rider’s seat. Fresh air is drawn in through a ducting system, molded into the seat base, on through to the main airbox, then on to a second plenum chamber, which then feeds the throttle bodies.

The Rocket III has met Euro 3 emission standards since its launch in 2004, and the new Roadster features two catalytic converters in the new style twin pipes.

Chassis
The Rocket family’s sheer presence has always been a fundamental part of its appeal, but at the heart of the bike is its usability.

With its new ergonomics, the new Rocket III Roadster feels vastly different to ride than its predecessor, even though the tubular steel twin-spine frame itself has been carried over from the Rocket III. The seat is new, .4 inches higher, and more comfortable than that of the previous Rocket III. The new instruments are comprehensive, and come with an integrated clock, fuel gauge, and gear indicator in addition to the speedometer and tachometer.

As part of the model’s ongoing quality improvements, the revised rear suspension is 20% more softly sprung than that of the original Rocket III, delivering greater control and comfort than before. At the front, the 43mm upside down forks are carried over from the Rocket III, but now have a black finish to complement the Roadster’s more aggressive stance.

With twin 320mm floating discs grabbed by four-piston calipers, the Rocket III Roadster has more than enough stopping power. Brakes have been improved thanks to the adoption of Triumph’s highly acclaimed anti-lock braking system (ABS). The ABS brakes deliver over 100 calculations each second to ensure that riders can stop safely in extreme circumstances without locking the wheels.

Wide section, five-spoke, alloy wheels, 17 x 3.5” at the front and 16 x 7.5” at the rear, are shod with Metzeler ME880 Marathon tires as standard. These high-tech tires employ a soft compound to deliver excellent levels of grip, with the customized exterior offering outstanding stability and wear characteristics.

Cosmetically, the Rocket III Roadster has been given an aggressive blacked-out appearance. Many components, most notably the radiator grill, front forks, and rear suspension units, have a black finish. The Roadster body also sports black color options: solid Matte Black or metallic Phantom Black.

Cult of the Rocket
Over 18,000 Rocket III’s have been built since its inception in the summer of 2004, quite an achievement for what is one of the most niche motorcycles on the market.

At launch the bike was eagerly anticipated, with some customers waiting up to 18 months to become ‘Rocketeers’. Customers came not only from the traditional cruiser brands, but also from other unlikely motorcycle segments. A high number of ‘early adopters’ switched their allegiances from high-powered, four-cylinder, Japanese sport bikes to experience the unique ride that only a Rocket provides.

Rocket III ownership brings with it a high degree of individuality. Very few owners keep their Rockets exactly as they leave the factory, and to cater for this Triumph offers a comprehensive range of official accessories for the Rocket III range. While this is plenty for some owners, for many ‘Rocketeers’ too much is never enough. At Rocket III gatherings around the world, intricate custom paint jobs are de rigueur, specially commissioned components are common, and power upgrades are extremely popular. The aftermarket has embraced the Rocket III, with a number of customers even going as far as to fit forced induction systems to boost power outputs of the tough 2.3 liter motor to in excess of 250bhp. Rocket III owners are rarely retiring wallflowers!

Official Accessories for Rocket III Roadster
To cater for the Rocket III owner’s desire to personalize their bikes, Triumph has developed a range of over 50 accessories for the Rocket III Roadster. This extensive catalog allows the customer to impart their own personality onto the motorcycle and make it more suitable for their specific needs.

These include a variety of screens, from sporty fly screens to top-quality, Quantum-coated Roadster screens with 20 times the impact resistance of acrylic ones. Official sissy bars, touring seats, and leather luggage items are available for riders who wish to take their Rocket III Roadsters on long journeys. Additionally, a number of cosmetic items such as accessory mirrors, embellishers and footpegs help create that individual look.

Performance can be enhanced through the fitment of accessory exhaust pipes (not approved for road use), which boost performance and increase the auditory experience for riders looking to be heard as well as seen.

The Rocket III Roadster sits alongside the Rocket III Touring as part of the rationalized 2010 Rocket III range. With serious ‘bad-boy’ attitude, and even more performance from the mighty 2.3 liter motor, the Rocket III Roadster truly is the ultimate bike for those who believe that bigger is most definitely best.

Rocket Facts:
The nucleus of the Rocket III project can be traced back to 1999, when Triumph looked into the development of a 1500-1600cc three cylinder cruiser.

Triumph ran numerous styling clinics and focus groups when developing the original Rocket III. The universal feedback was ‘bigger is better’, and the capacity was quickly increased to two-Litres and eventually 2.3 Litresbefore the bike even reached production.

The Rocket III engine was scheduled to be a two-liter unit, with an optional big bore kit to take capacity up to 2.3 Litres. The decision to make 2.3 Litres the standard capacity was taken following market research among dealers and potential customers.

Triumph took over 1,500 pre-orders for the original Rocket III, quite an achievement for a company that was selling just over 20,000 motorcycles a year in 2003.

A total of 18,000 Rocket III motorcycles have been sold since its introduction in the summer of 2004.