2010 Triumph Rocket III Roadster Motorcycle reviews

I bought this machine in November, having never test driven it or even heard it idling. I spent a year agonizing between the Rocket III Roadster and the Ducati Diavel. In the end the massive difference in cost of ownership, the extra room in the saddle, the look of the bike and the attitude of the Triumph's engine won me over. There are many reviews online that will give you the right impression of this machine. It is big, but surprisingly maneuverable. It produces unholy amounts of torque and generous horsepower but in a very manageable and (unless you intentionally kick it) comfortable way. One thing that really impressed me is the gear box. The rocket is geared very tall, which causes absolutely no problems because of the torque the engine produces, but means that you can redline the tac at 95 miles an hour in second. You can even cruise along at 70 in 3rd gear with the engine roaring angrily but nowhere near its limit (I wouldn't want to do it for hours, but the noise the bike makes around 4,000 rpm. is breathtaking). The tall gearing matched with the engine's torque also means you can start the bike from a dead stop and comfortably drive any legal speed all without leaving 3rd gear. It's arguably more fun to start in first and let that engine sing its way up the cogs, but it is a fitting illustration of the bike's power and usability. The pilot (and I'm told also the pillion) seat is fantastically comfortable. I may someday experiment with an aftermarket seat simply to see what else is available but the stock saddle is excellent. On rides longer than a few hours, the throttle can feel a bit heavy (especially through cold weather gloves), but if you need one there are simple solutions for that at any bike shop. The breaks are very adequate and the antilock system inspires confidence when stopping this giant fast. To be blunt, this bike isn't for everyone. If you want a sport bike that you can call a cruiser, buy the Ducati Diavel. If you want a big chunky twin for the cadence of the engine the Rocket's higher reving triple will leave you cold. If you are like me and you generally drive at legal speeds, but you love the thrill of aggressive acceleration and limitless torque regardless of setting, this bike is for you. Standing still it draws looks and comments, with the engine running, it is even more aggressive, and when you tear open the throttle and blast past cages on the open road at unreasonable speeds it is simply indescribable. It's not for everyone, but for those of us who love it, there is simply no better machine on the market. If I had an unlimited budget and could select one bike to own, I wouldn't have to hesitate a moment to make it this bike. I've managed 2,500 miles from November to April. Every snowy day that left my Rocket III in the garage was torture, and I CAN NOT WAIT for this season to warm up so I can put real miles on. Show less

I've been riding for 40 years and have never had a bike with this much muscle. Twist the loud knob and you are going, right now, now matter what gear you are in or what the RPM's are. It handles well, but is limited in cornering clearance. The rear shocks need improvement. The handlebars are very uncomfortable for me - way too wide. The exhaust note even with stock mufflers is wonderful. My wife says it is a more comfortable ride than my BMW 1150RT. With all the pros and cons, the bottom line is when you twist the trottle, nothing on earth has such a feeling of raw power and acceleration. Show less

I've been riding for 25 years and I tend to keep my bikes for 10 or more years. My present ride is a 1998 FLHTC with 186k miles for comparison. It's my first Triumph and not the last. This bike is distinctive in every way. There's something about knowing that you ride a bike with the largest mass produced motorcycle engine (no disrespect to Boss Hoss but that's an automobile engine in a bike frame). I'm impressed at how light it feels at 807 pounds. They did a great job at hiding its bulk. Its mass is easily handled and can accelerate rapidly from as low as 1500 rpm. It's a very smooth ride and comfortable for about 500-mile days. My friends and co-workers can't get enough of this bike and talking about it. It's not easy nowadays to build such a unique motorcycle/experience in a cookie-cutter world. Ups: It has a comfortable upright riding position and room to stretch out like most cruisers with highway pegs. The unique styling and engine configuration can't compare to any other cruiser with more power than you can imagine. The manufacturer marquee is respected by all brands unlike my Harley. It's a great transmission for an 800 pound cruiser. It has a low total cost of ownership (20k miles between valve checks). Downs: The unique handling (I mean this in a bad way) wants to drop into slow turns and wide bars that make you feel like a sail, but other than that, the handling is rock solid especially at highway speeds. Getting parts from Triumph is painfully slow. I'm lucky to get over 35 mpg when being gentle with the throttle. Show less

I can't say anything bad about this bike. It's got more power then you'll ever need and is comfortable to ride even on long trips. The performance is very hard to describe but when you can stay with the street bikes going through the twisties, it pretty much speaks for itself. Show less