The motorcycle market today has an unbelievable variety. So no matter what kind of motorcycle you want, odds are that you will find it. All segments have seen growth accordingly, and the cruiser segment is no different. That means you can have everything from a traditional V-twin cruiser with retro styling to an ultramodern interpretation that accelerates quicker than most motorcycles.
Among these, you’ll also find plenty of power cruisers, offering exciting performance in a straight line and pretty good performance around a corner as well, and they all still can do the ‘cruising’ bit incredibly well. Only a few get this balance properly right, however, and one bike truly stands above the rest. This is the most balanced power cruiser on the market today.
The Triumph Rocket 3 Storm GT Is The Most Balanced Power Cruiser On The Market Today
When the topic of power cruisers comes up, a few names come to mind immediately. One of them is undoubtedly the Triumph Rocket. How could it not when it has the largest engine fitted to a production motorcycle in history? But contrary to what its engine displacement might indicate, it isn’t a one-trick pony. It is a multifaceted product that can do multiple things quite well.
A Premium Price For A Premium Product
The Rocket 3 Storm GT is priced at $27,495. This is a premium price for a premium motorcycle, but when you consider the competition and its pricing as well as what you get for your money, the Rocket 3 can seem like a good value for money! Of course, you will need rose-tinted glasses to view a near-$28,000 motorcycle as good value, but don’t let that diminish the sheer amount of motorcycle you get for the money.
No Replacement For This Displacement
The Rocket 3 Storm GT has the largest engine fitted to a production motorcycle in history. This is a longitudinal inline three-cylinder engine that displaces 2,458 cc, has a 10.8:1 compression ratio, and is short-stroke in nature. It generates 179.5 horsepower at 7,000 RPM and an even more impressive 166 pound-feet at 4,000 RPM. A six-speed gearbox and shaft final drive are chosen to complete the driveline.
The torque figure is deeply impressive, and it arrives at an incredibly low 4,000 RPM. To put it into context, the Harley-Davidson CVO Road Glide ST generates 145 pound-feet of maximum torque at the same revs from its V-twin engine.
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Extreme Dieting Done Right
Triumph may have enlarged the Rocket 3 engine with the new generation, but it wasn’t satisfied with just more power. It decided to shed weight as well, because that will make the Rocket 3 faster everywhere. It uses aluminum for the chassis, swingarm, and wheels to cut weight. This is topped with Showa suspension.
The front suspension is inverted Showa cartridge forks with adjustable compression and rebound damping. At the rear, the single-sided swingarm has a fully adjustable single shock with remote hydraulic preload adjustment. There is appreciable travel of 4.7 inches for the front and 4.2 inches for the rear.
The brakes are also deeply impressive components, with twin 320 mm discs at the front and a single 300 mm disc at the rear, all gripped by Brembo Stylema M4.32 four-piston fixed monobloc calipers that you usually see on large sport bikes. The front calipers are radially mounted. The wheels are 17/16 inches front to rear, which helps contribute to its relatively quick steering for its size and weight.
The Very Definition Of Long And Low
The Rocket 3 Storm GT is a long, low bike, as can be seen by the really long 66-inch wheelbase. The seat is fairly high for a cruiser at 30.4 inches, but that can be explained by the fact that this is an upright longitudinal inline engine. Still, it should be manageable for most with a dry weight of 641.5 pounds (708 pounds wet; 88 pounds less than the previous-gen Rocket 3), and the fact that it is quite narrow, thanks once again to that longitudinal engine.
Cornering-Enabled Safety Technology As Standard
The Rocket 3 Storm GT has a TFT display for its instrumentation, but it is unlike any other display. It has an inner circular screen flanked by two bracket-type mini screens. Weirdly, a Bluetooth module is an optional extra on the most expensive non-limited/special edition model in the Triumph lineup.
For safety, the electronics package includes a by-wire throttle and a six-axis IMU. That enables ride modes, cornering traction control, cornering ABS, wheelie control, and hill hold assist as standard. Safe to say it can rival most premium sport bikes in this regard.
There are some interesting features on the (quite short) options list. One is the fact that you can interchange footpegs from the Rocket 3 Storm R and GT, which means you can have either a proper feet-forward peg position or mid-mounted pegs. Also on the options list are a two-way quickshifter, and a tire pressure monitoring system.
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Triumph Rocket 3 Storm GT Competition
If you’re a big fan of American muscle, you could look at models like the Harley-Davidson Low Rider S ($19,999) and Indian Sport Chief ($19,999), but you wouldn’t get anywhere near the Rocket 3’s performance from them. You could bridge the gap by moving up in the range, but a CVO Road Glide ST offers marginally more power and torque, but for an eye-watering $44,999 retail price.
The Buell Super Cruiser is now in production, and the first examples are now being shipped to customers, so it deserves a mention thanks to its 175 horsepower and 485-pound weight. It is even priced in the same ballpark as the Triumph, at $25,900. However, until more than a few reach customers and the after-sales experience is established, it is difficult to recommend one over the established brands.
A better and safer choice will be the Ducati XDiavel V4. This Italian cruiser offers strong performance through a combination of light weight and a powerful engine. It should handle curves better than the Rocket thanks to its relatively compact dimensions, but a pillion will be far happier on the Triumph, while the Ducati looks like a work of art.
Triumph Rocket 3 GT Vs Ducati XDiavel V4
|
Model |
Triumph Rocket 3 Storm GT |
Ducati XDiavel V4 |
|
Price |
$27,495 |
$28,995 |
|
Engine |
Longtudinal I3 |
90° V4 |
|
Displacement |
2,458 cc |
1,158 cc |
|
Power |
179.5 HP @ 7,000 RPM |
168 HP @ 10,750 RPM |
|
Torque |
166 LB-FT @ 4,000 RPM |
93 LB-FT @ 7,500 RPM |
|
Final Drive |
Shaft |
Chain |
|
Curb Weight |
708 pounds (wet) |
505 pounds (wet) |
Source: Triumph Motorcycles