Google ‘cruiser bikes’ and it’s almost a given that you will find a Harley-Davidson or Indian in the image results. That’s how much these two American giants dominate the cruiser segment. For good reason, too, as they promise an authentic experience unlike any other brand. Sure, Japan and Europe have come close, but they eventually waved the white flag to do their own things.
Where metric bikemakers prevail, though, is the power cruiser segment. You can find some seriously powerful cruisers from non-American companies, and they bring an extra level of sophistication in other areas, too. So if it’s a power cruiser you’re eyeing, we’d suggest you forget Harley and Indian and focus on the one we’re about to discuss.
Why Harley-Davidson Or Indian Cruisers Might Not Be Right For You
These two American giants are the flagbearers in the cruiser market. And that’s been the case for a long time. Their cruisers are not for everyone, however. For instance, the premium range costs serious money, and in return, you get a rather basic package. The likes of the Breakout 117 and Super Chief have air-cooled engines with simple suspensions and ancient double-cradle frames made of steel. These things add weight as well, while limiting the overall riding potential to straight highways.
Then, there’s performance. Both Harley-Davidson and Indian struggle to eke out mighty horsepower from their V-twin engines. Sure, the torque is quite impressive, but the average figure of around 100 horsepower is simply disappointing. Mind you, this is the latest figure after the factories have introduced bigger engines with more tech. Earlier, the number was around 90. This is something metric cruisers do way better than the Americans, and the power cruiser below proves precisely that.
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The Triumph Rocket 3 Storm Is The Power Cruiser You Need
Enter the Triumph Rocket 3 Storm. This right here is one of the most powerful cruiser bikes you can get your hands on today. Additionally, the torque figure is higher than that of any Indian or Harley-Davidson motorcycle. Yes, that even includes the race-spec Indian Challenger RR and Harley-Davidson CVO Road Glide RR. What’s more impressive is that it does that by selling for $26,345.
That is comparable to the average price of premium American cruisers (~$25,000). But the value prospect is way better here, thanks to the more impressive equipment for the price. This includes adjustable suspension, a single-sided swingarm, Brembo brakes, and a full suite of electronic gizmos. The latter includes a fully digital TFT, which isn’t available on any Harley Softail cruiser. Thus, the Rocket 3 deserves your attention over American power cruisers.
The Rocket 3 Storm Is Powered By The World’s Largest Production Motorcycle Engine
Diving deeper, the Rocket 3 Storm’s engine is no short of a mechanical marvel. This is a triple-cylinder engine with a 110.2 mm bore and 85.9 mm stroke to result in a total capacity of 2,458 cubic centimeters. That makes it the largest production motorcycle engine today–a title it has held for a few years now.
Add to that the compression ratio of 10.8:1, and you have an output of 179.5 horsepower. This is one of the highest outputs for a cruiser today, second only to the uber-expensive Ducati Diavel V4 RS. The torque lies at 166 pound-feet, meanwhile.
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Long Service Intervals And A Maintenance-Free Shaft Drive Sweeten The Pot
All that power reaches the wheel via a shaft-driven six-speed transmission. This is a low-maintenance setup compared to final chain and belt drives. Oh, and if you keep the throttle pinned, the Rocket 3 will take you to over 140 miles per hour with ease. At the same time, the service interval lies at 10,000 miles—twice as much as Harley-Davidson Softails.
An Aluminum Chassis Underpins The Rocket 3 Storm
Unlike American bikemakers, Triumph has chosen aluminum for the underpinnings. The main frame, single-sided swingarm, and subframe are all carved from the same metal. This, along with the cast aluminum wheels, helps the bike tip the scales at just under 700 pounds wet. Yes, that’s heavy, but this is actually in the ballpark of the Harley and Indian heavyweights. Considering these American bikes have much smaller engines, the Rocket 3’s heft seems par for the course. The low 29.5-inch seat height should help deal with the heft, too.
Adjustable Suspension And Premium Brakes Help Improve Handling
The chassis suspends on beefy Showa 47 mm upside-down forks and a Showa monoshock. The forks have compression and rebound adjustment, while the monoshock has remote preload adjustability. These join hands with 17/16-inch alloy wheels, where the front houses two 320 mm discs with Brembo Stylema calipers, and the rear has a single 300 mm disc brake with an M4.32 caliper.
The Rocket 3 Storm Has Superbike-Grade Electronic Aids From The Factory
With superbike-level performance, it’s only fair you get sophisticated electronic aids to keep you safe. That is exactly the case on the Rocket 3 Storm. A six-axis IMU enables cornering ABS, cornering traction control, and dedicated wheelie control, topped with throttle maps and ride modes. Cruise control, all-LED lights, and a USB port round things off.
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The Design Is Head-Turning
Finally, a special shoutout goes to the design. The distinct headlamps, massive tank, and sleek tail end all give this a unique identity. At the same time, the attention to detail is quite impressive, evident from the all-black mechanicals, swingarm-mounted plate holder, and bar-end mirrors. Having seen it in person, we can confirm there’s nothing quite like it out there.