Triumph Rocket 3

British motorcycle maker, Triumph Motorcycles has introduced the new generation Rocket 3 in India. The 2020 Triumph Rocket 3 made its global debut in 2019 and has quickly made its way to India at a price tag of Rs. 20.35 lakh (ex-showroom). The 2020 Triumph Rocket 3 is offered in two variants globally - R and GT - and it is only the R that makes its way to India for now. The Triumph Rocket 3 was always known for being the behemoth of motorcycles and the continues to be the case with the new generation version that gets the largest displacement engine on a motorcycle. However, this time around, the new Rocket 3 packs in more electronics, safety aids and more power as well.

In terms of styling, the 2020 Triumph Rocket 3R gets the familiar twin round LED headlamps, sculpted fuel tank, and the massive seat that looks very comfortable. The riding position is relaxed yet aggressive to keep up with the power theme on the cruiser, while modern elements like the slash-cut exhaust and the single-sided swingarm point at the bike being fun to ride as well. The cruiser also gets a brushed aluminium air-box cover, brushed exhaust heat shields with end caps and hidden folding pillion footrests. The new Rocket 3 uses an all-aluminium frame now with the engine acting as a stressed member. The bike is about 40 kg lighter than its predecessor. 

Compared to the GT, the Rocket 3R get heated grips as an accessory, along with the roadster-style handlebar while the GT gets a more touring-oriented unit. The seat height is lower at 750 mm, as opposed to 773 mm on the GT. The footpeg position though is adjustable with two vertical options on the R and three horizontal positions on the GT.

Power on the all-new Triumph Rocket 3R comes from the 2500 cc in-line three-cylinder engine tuned for 165 bhp at 6000 rpm and a massive 221 Nm of peak torque at 4000 rpm. The motor is paired with a 6-speed transmission with a slip and assist hydraulic clutch. Handling is taken care by the 47 mm, USD forks up front sourced from Showa with 120 mm travel. The unit is compression and rebound adjustable. A Showa monoshock unit serves at the rear with a piggyback reservoir and remote adjuster with 107 mm travel. Braking duties are carried by twin 320 mm discs at the front with Brembo Stylema monobloc calipers, and a 300 mm rear disc with Brembo M4.32 calipers. The Rocket 3R gets Avon Cobra tyres specifically developed for the motorcycle with the wide 240 section rubber at the rear. 

Riding modes are aplenty on the 2020 Triumph Rocket 3R including the Ride-by-Wire (RbW) that brings four riding modes - Road, Rain, Sport and Ride-configurable. It also gets all-LED lighting, traction control, cornering ABS, hill-hold control, Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU), cruise control and more. It also comes with Bluetooth enabled TFT dash on the instrument console along with tonne of buttons for all the settings. The Triumph Rocket 3 R competes against the Ducati Diavel and while the latter does not come close in displacement, it is quite close in terms of performance. 

Upcoming Triumph Model is Tiger Sport 800