Triumph Rocket III reviews

I found the first few miles a little intimidating but that didn't last long. All I can say is WOW. This bike handles great and with the power, it can only be called, like I said, WOW. I had a few upgrades that I wanted and the guys at the dealership took good care of me. I'm glad I waited for Triumph to build this machine. Show less

I did a great deal of research before I purchased my Rocket. With my height and weight, I wanted a bike that did not make me feel like a circus bear, I DID NOT WANT A V-TWIN! The Rocket has been great. I have had a few problems with the idle but my dealer quickly addressed the issue and all is well. Show less

Bought my '06 R3 Classic Black/Red in June 2006. My test ride was the ride home. I had made up my mind that this was the bike I wanted. Not one regret. I've thoroughly enjoyed learning how powerful and smooth it is. I can burn up a full tank of gas (180+ miles) with no rest stops and no fatigue. The stock seat on the Classic is very comfortable. It is enjoyable as an everyday ride and as a long distance cruiser. It has enough torque and power to keep me smiling every time I ride. I chose the Classic because the pullback bars are more comfortable, the floorboards and heel-toe shifter are perfect, and the black/red paint job with gold pinstriping is great looking. Countersteering through long sweeping turns at 70-80 mph is effortless. Set it up in the entry and the bike will stay planted. Decreasing radius exit ramps demand respect though. This is where the bike reminds you it weighs 800 lb. You will need considerable countersteering effort to pull through. After riding my friends' Ninja 600, Honda CX-500 and Suzuki GS-750 ES for years, this was the first bike I owned. I wanted a powerful cruiser, but was aprehensive about the 800 lb. weight. Not to worry. A few sessions at the practice lot and it felt very comfortable. As they tell you in the MSF class - - Do NOT use that front brake if the front wheel is not straight. The front shocks are soft and the dive will try to flop the bike over very easily. Had a few scary moments keeping the bike from dropping. Adrenaline is a good thing. This bike is just plain good for your ego. Folks roll up to the stop light and gawk at the size. The stock pipes are wimpy, so it is a real sleeper. Twist the throttle and you will get an instant grin (and instant respect) as you hang on against 1.2 G's of pull. Your butt is going to get very firmly planted into that seat during hard acceleration. I'm barely getting through 3rd gear and the thing is showing 110 mph. Hey where did everybody go? A few seconds later, the Screamin' Eagle Road King and the 750 Katana show up at the next light. None of them believe this big cruiser had so much. Be prepared for the following questions and reactions as a Rocket Captain: 1. What is that? [Ohh. It's a Triumph. I thought they stopped making those]. 2. How many cc's [No wayyy! That thing is all engine!] 3. Is that a V-6? 4. How much horsepower and how fast will it go? [Insert your own expletive]. It's a thrill having a very powerful unique looking bike that doesn't fit the HD mold. Only a few minor complaints. Stop and go traffic in 100F Houston weather is very hot. When the radiator fan kicks in, it is like a Jen-Aire oven on your legs. The price of having 1/3 of a Viper engine between your legs. There is a tremendous amount of buffeting at 65-70 mph. I have the roadster screen and have had it at every height and angle. At 5ft. 9in., the buffeting is directly in my face. A full face helmet is mandatory. I hear the lowers will help reduce the buffeting. Surprisingly, the wind is smoother at 80 mph. All Rocket riders learn the neutral to 1st shift routine. There are two ways I do it. One is to let the bike idle in neutral, then do a quick clutch+kick down to get in 1st. The other is to apply pressure to the shifter and slowly feather out the clutch until it drops into gear. Getting into neutral before starting sometimes requires rolling the bike to find the sweet spot. 2900-3200 rpm is the only area of vibration on an otherwise smooth-as-butter engine. This works out to about 70-85 mph in 5th gear. This thing has mountains of torque! It will pull in 1st gear at idle speed. A roll-on at highway speed is effortless. I find myself driving with a point-and-shoot attitude. If there is a gap in traffic, a flick of the wrist will get you there in an instant. For everyday driving 3000 rpm is my normal shift point. For hard acceleration, I've found 5000-5500 rpm to be the sweet spot. You also get a nice growl from the pipes at that rpm. If you want a confortable highway cruiser with the ability to earn the respect of some very powerful street bikes, this is your ride. Show less

What a true engineering marvel. Love to see other bikers wonder what just passed them. Very well balanced at any speed. This bike has been trouble free so far and enjoying the heck out of it. This is an eye opening bike. People just gather around and admire the bike. Show less

This isn't a review of a 2007 model, because nothing much has changed on them, other than paint work, different handle bars on classic models & floor boards. Mine's a 2005 model and I now have 12,000 miles on it. This bike is the ONE I always dreamt of, but no one made. After 2 yrs, no problems. The power is still awesome, it handles great in twistys & sweeper, and no problems slowing down from 140 fast if needed (brakes are well up to it). Out of all the machinery I've bought in 45 yrs from muscle cars to other motorcycles, this one has made me happiest. I still grin when I throw my leg over it 2 yrs later. It's got a character all its own. The 2007 model will make you happy. GO FOR IT !! Show less

Under performance, it should go to 100. The Rocket will put a grin on your face the first time you wind up the throttle. So far, there have been zero problems with the year and a half old bike. Good going, Triumph. My one and only complaint is with the shocks. The stock ones are poor at best. This is easily fixed with the aftermarket sources. Show less

Of all the bikes I have ridden or owned, I have to say that with out a doubt, this is the best, smoothest and the most comfortable bike I have ever owned. It fits me like a glove. The acceleration is second to none (140 horsepower) and the Harley drivers just can't stand it. I love the sound that it makes and not to mention all the heads that turn when you drive by. This is my first Cruiser and I must say, I couldn't have picked a better bike. I would, without hesitation, recommend this bike to my best friend or a family member. Show less

The Rocket III is an engineering marvel other motorcycle companies wish they had the insight to create. I've been riding since 1968 from my first Bonneville to most Harley's except the V-Rod. I test rode the R-3 and sold my 2003 Road King a month later and never look back again except in my rearview mirrors to see the Harley's afraid to catch up to me no matter what speed I'm doing. This is a trouble free bike just like the Bonneville was. The price was a steal. I'm sure glad Harley didn't come up with this awesome machine or it would be selling for what they sell their Screaming Eagle models! When you buy your Rocket make sure you get the silencers so you can let everyone know There's a New and Improved Kid in Town! Show less

In April, I bought the 2006 Rocket III, blue, with tribal. This is the most unbelievable bike. The comfort is great; I frequently ride from DC to NJ. The power is phenomenal -- 125MPH was like butter. It is a well-balanced bike. It is as if the Rocket III does not realize it is as big as it is. Everything about the bike is smooth, comfortable and very well made. A friend has a 2005 Rocket and put on Progressive 440 shocks. I am considering it but stock, this bike has it all. Show less

After my first US visit to a Harley showroom, I just couldn't see myself becoming a member of the HOG gang, the 'uniform' didn't quite fit & the quality/finish vs. price ratio was frankly ridiculous. I bought my black beauty in June 2005 and it is the best bike purchasing decision I ever made!!! At the time, I had a tuned M3 BMW & thought that Baby could move... frankly, it's a pedestrian compared to the Rock.
It's interesting to read other reviewers comments regarding the gear shifting. I have the same issue with engaging first from neutral, but it appears to be improving.
My previous bike was a VTX 1800, what surprised me the most beyond the obvious power difference was the stability of the Rock at standstill, especially with pillion on board.
I love my Rocket, being a Brit living in the US; it doesn't get any better than having a Triumph that can perform like this monster! Show less