Triumph Rocket 3 Reviews

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Triumph Rocket 3
★★★★★
4.6
96.0% of users recommend this
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Latest Reviews

“Rocket appropriate name.”

★★★★★

written by RickAngheld on 28/12/2014

Been riding for 50 yrs. My buddy and I both bought a Rocket 111 in 2005. This machine owns the highway. Went across country twice last year. Cruised all the way thru Kansas at 100 miles an hour effortlessly. My other buddy owns GS 1200 BMR and was begging me if he could ride the rocket again. It's all about torque. U crank this bike at 80mph and it just pulls. With highway pegs, back rest and handlebar risers so it keeps u against back rest, incredibly comfortable. Expect to buy rear tire every 4000 miles. If U don't Ur not riding this bike right. I have 30,000 miles and had to change rear brake light. Other than tires and oil changes that's it.It is one amazing machine and the most fun bike I've ever owned. Everytime I get off the seat in the garage, I think to myself "What incredible machine!

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“Awe struck”

★★★★★

written by Stiff on 01/08/2014

I've owned a lot of triumphs including an(08 America which I still own) but when I bought the used rocket touring 09 everything changed my mileage ridden has increased dramatically . I just rode over 1300 k in one day and can honestly say I felt not bad climbing off her. Fully loaded on the road at relatively high speed very comfortable and very stable only one problem. I keep running out of daylight lol. This bike is a keeper with a drink holder on crash bar music and a lighter/power point there is no reason to stop other than fuel. For the money it's a steal. Insurance rates r great for the size of the motor . 333000 k so far and no problems

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“The best bike I have ever owned”

★★★★★

written by on 19/03/2014

I have a 2008 r3 standard black of course I have only ever replaced the detent spring which was done under warranty .i have ridden her as far north as port Douglas and as far south as eden.i have done 80'000 km,s and the bike has never let me down whilst being away from home .i ride every day to and from work and am about to change the cam chain . If you enjoy endless amounts of torque this is the bike for you .as far as I'm concerned the bike may not be the best at any one thing but a brilliant alrounder

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“It's all about the Power”

★★★★☆

written by Goon9914 on 01/08/2013

After about 7,000 miles on a Triumph 2013 Rocket 3 Roadster I am still pleased with the power looks and ride of my beast. Gunna be needing tires soon but I expected that. Didn't expect a clutch problem though this soon. 5th gear slipping. Seems I'm told clutch free play needs to be monitored pretty closely. I suspect every bike has it's issues. Lesson learned. Overall I still love the bike. I'd like to think I'm out of the honeymoon phase and am being less bias, but who knows. I still get a kick out of spanking uninformed Harley riders and the occasional crotch rocket off the line. It still puts a big stupid grin on my face. Handling has been great, especially for such a big bike. Mountain twisties are no problem. No complaints about the balance either. As for looks, all that matters is that I like it. Truth is, it get plenty of attention from the Harley crowd and even sport bikers when I go to bike shows. Did I mention the power? With some relatively minor mods this beast has nearly twice the HP of my RoadKing. Enough said. Simply put if you're looking for a big, fast unique cruiser bike you should check out the Rocket 3 Roadster.

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Ear55's Response to Goon9914's Review

Written on: 24/09/2013

Riding an 2008 R3T,( 4 yrs) just turned 30,000 miles.....last weekend on a trip, the clutch pin came disconnected at 65 mph in 5th gear.......no working clutch !! Thank God no accident occurred, bike towed to dealership 90 miles away.
Had planned to purchase the R3T 2013 with ABS.....but reading above comments...it appears, Triumph has NOT fixed the issue.
Awaiting Triumph's response to my situation.
Any other R3T owners with concerns ?
PS love the bike...........but this was / is extremely dangerous issue. [email protected]

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“Nothing like it”

★★★★★

written by zimtuff on 31/03/2012

Ive had my R3 for 2 years now and never get sick of it. Its the bike that keeps on giving. Ok ,its not much of a commuter,nor is it at home on the city streets,but out on long lonely highways it is truly the king of the jungle. There are faster bikes out there and bikes that handle better,but none can match the R3 for long distance at high speed fully loaded. In this regard ,it is truly in a class of its own. The leg room for taller riders is unmatched unless you spend thousand upgrading some other cruiser brand Im not the biggest fan of its looks,the exhaust,whether its the OEM or the aftermarket tyoe all look terrible. The radiator looks as if it has been pressganged into action from something else,maybe some old european race car. Its bulk and catchy throttle could spell disaster for a inexperienced rider in tight situations. Gauges could be a little easier to read ,especially at night. Overall,Im happy with its reliabilty,ergonomics and performance.

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Badlymangled2002's Response to zimtuff's Review

Written on: 08/06/2013

how many miles do you think you could ride it in one day and not hurt when you get off of it?

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“Must be just mine”

★★★★★

written by loony007 on 16/07/2011

Love the rocket 3 I'v had one for the last 6 years but only done 20000 miles HOWEVER at 11000 miles 4 gear decided to strip its teeth metal in the engine and a full rebuild £3000 NOW at 20000 miles it's stuck in first gear, Clutch works but that's about it, So is now going to cost about another £2000 to repair so that's about £750 a year running cost without mot,service and all the other things. So in my case not a good investment. Would i buy another ? Dont know would have to think long and hard about it

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“Well I've just sold it. I am glad I've had one because...”

★★☆☆☆

written by on 04/02/2011

Well I've just sold it. I am glad I've had one because it's an iconic bike. But not really my cup of tea. I had the full-fat 140bhp model, they are quite fast but don't kid yourself a 600 sports bike will kill it. The torque is something else though, world class! Sticking luggage and a screen on a big fat cruiser doesn't make it a great tourer though, there are better bikes out there for crossing continents. If you are into attracting a crowd and metal polish look no further, but watch the low speed handling and be careful when filtering!

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“I have ridden motor cycles since I was 15 years old...”

★★★★★

written by on 11/03/2010

I have ridden motor cycles since I was 15 years old having a couple of years off to have family, I must have owned about 30 varied makes and models but the Rocket is the ultimate machine and one I highly recommend to anyone. It is easy to handle, fast beyond your wildest dreams, comfy (gel seat), the biggest crowd puller posing machine I've ever owned ( blue flame design. It stops well and feels so secure its incedible. My wife has never ridden with me in my life and yes you guessed it, she is now a rider on the back of Big Boy as she likes to call it.She says she feels safe on it.My Rocket has sports exhaust, leather panniers and dresser bars all essentials for the Rocket.The build quality is superb and its British and proud. The Triumph Rocket 3 the best bike in the world !!!

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Guest's Comment

Written on: 29/05/2012

But the top speed is limited to 135mph which means that a VTX1800 or Yamaha Worrior on an open road will catch it and leave it as the VTX1800 can reach 140 mph to 145 mph speed!
actually i want to make sure that what i wrote above is right, or just a wrong thought! because im so surprised , 2300CC and 135 mph top speed! depressing!

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“Had the bike for a year now had problems with the idle...”

★★★★★

written by andthehand on 11/02/2010

Had the bike for a year now had problems with the idle but the boys at North City Triumph sorted that for me. After being used to nakeds and sports bikes this was a new style of riding and its been great. Where I used to chase every body now I just sit and smile (getting older). I also like the fact that I now am statsified that I ve found a bike that I am content with and have stopped dreaming of other bikes. I have a problem with rubbing things and this is the ideal bike for me as there's loads of loverly chrome. I enjoy talking to people and this bike always drews attention. I love the fact that its British I feel that this will be the last bike that I own as I love it. ( wouldnt mind a Ducati in me garage too).

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“It's no wonder the Rocket gets so many 5 star ratings...”

★★★☆☆

written by on 17/01/2010

It's no wonder the Rocket gets so many 5 star ratings above, you just can't wipe the silly grin off your face when things are going okay, and it kinda spoils the fun when you have to moan about stuff that really shouldn't happen when you buy a new bike. I can only give a very muted thumbs up unfortunately, because although things seem to be okay now, I've had no end of hassle trying to get my Classic Rocket running properly under the guarantee!!! It was in the dealer for nearly half of the first year I had it. Triumph head office (customer services) didn't exactly cover themselves in glory either (they told me there was nothing wrong with the bike) and I only got the problems sorted out by eventually getting through to one of the Directors of Triumph to complain. Frustratingly, after all the tests, and all the time, and all the mis-diagnosis and all the hassle of booking it in and driving it the 70 mile rount-trip to the dealer, and all of the pathetic response from customer services, it turned out to be a faulty throttle sensor costing tuppence!! Seems to be going okay for now and had it been any other bike I'd have sent it back to Triumph with my best.

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“”

★★★☆☆

written by on 18/08/2009


Sirs

Re Triumph Rocket 3 - running speed problems.

I live in the UK in London area.
I have now owned my Rocket III since I bought it new in May 2004 .
I have put on about 20,000 miles since new and primarily while touring France and Spain in the earlier years.
Within about one year from owner ship I had Cat converter manifold modification to the exhaust note by a Triumph dealer. A summer screen, backrest and heated grips were also added to make long distance touring more tolerable and more fun. The longest distance travelled in one session was 700 miles from Confolens in France to Alicante in Spain. The bike was faultless.

As stated initially the bike appeared problem free. It ran well and performed wonderfully . A very comfortable cruiser on country lanes and toll roads alike.
It was serviced and on occasion it had new tunes from Hinckley added. Soon after these tunes were added the bike played up with the engine dying while running. this could prove disconcerting at times. Particularly when entering roundabouts . One learned to start it up as soon as it died and live with it.

On a long journey it could die as many as 20 times or as few as 2.
Then triumph announced a recall to sort this problem out . Incidentally they didn't inform my service outlet . I found this out on the net.
Further visits to prevent the engine dying, lead eventually to the problem reversing so to speak . And the bike developed a tendency to accelerate of its own free will.
This fault could not be predicted . One might travel for days without incident or it could happen 10 times in a short journey of 10 miles.

The solution I find while travelling along and without stopping, is to turn the engine off with the key while the bike is slipped into neutral with the clutch and then once cancelled start it up again and hope for the best.

It works more often than not to reduce the tick over speed from racing, and thereby giving a few more minutes or hopefully hours of trouble free riding.

No amount of returning the bike to the dealerships to be sorted out has served to permanently fix this problem.

With the exception of a trip to the Dordogne region of France in Aug 2008 while encountering the tick over problem I have ceased to ride the bike as much over the past year and now hardly at all due to increased unreliability regarding tick over revs and running speeds.

I cannot see why this is not soluble, if the bike runs perfectly well one day and yet not the next regardless of other factors remaining the same.

Any advice would be gratefully received.

Alan

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Rocket Roge's Comment

Written on: 04/07/2010

hope you have got the idle problem sorted by now but if not ive had the same problem where the idle would rise to about 2000 rpm aand then be ok next time i start it.
<br/>the problem turned out to be the throttle position sensor,it cost about &pound;100 for the part and fitting but no probs since.

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“What a beast. Smooth and powerful. Triumph Rocket 3...”

★★★★★

written by on 29/06/2009

What a beast. Smooth and powerful. Triumph Rocket 3 is My favorite bike ever. Started with sprint st, then rode tiger, kawasaki z 1000, speed triple. Rocket has power of sport bike ergonomics of cruiser.

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“The Rockets never ending power leaves me gob smacked...”

★★★★★

written by lozzas on 12/05/2009

The Rockets never ending power leaves me gob smacked ,Ive owned my Triumph Rocket 3 for over 12 months now( 7000kms) it is the perfect toy.
Mechanically have had no problems ,the quality of the bike is up there with the best.

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“I've just bought the Triumph Rocket 3 in January 2009...”

★★★☆☆

written by on 13/03/2009

I've just bought the Triumph Rocket 3 in January 2009 and it's spent more time with the dealer for warranty claim on the transmission than riding, which they have laso several other bikes with the same problem.

The performance can't be knocked and the price in Australia. The service of their dealers can be knocked and very hard as the bike has been in the shop for 5 weeks and the issues still not resolved.

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“I spent three months trying to talk myself into buying...”

★★★★★

written by on 09/03/2009

I spent three months trying to talk myself into buying a V-Rod but I just couldn't get excited with the bike. I had never seen a Rocket, only heard about a little about them so out of curiosity I checked out the local Triumph dealer. Am I ever glad I did. They had a 2006 Classic on consignment with a Jardine exhaust and the airbox was replaced with three K&N filters on the throttle bodies. It had been dynoed at 158 H.P. and 156 ft. lbs. of torque. I asked the salesman to fire it up and when he did I never thought about a V-Rod again. I bought it that day and put 4000 miles on it and have not had any problems with it. Well, I do have one problem, keeping the front tire on the ground when I nail it in 1st gear. This bike is very nimble at parking lot speeds and when you want gut wrenching acceleration it is instantly available from 1500rpm all the way to the rev limiter. Buy one, you'll be glad you did.

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“I will just start by saying the Triumph Rocket is...”

★★★★★

written by Bikersid on 18/12/2008

I will just start by saying the Triumph Rocket is PHENOMENALLY AWESOME. I am a mature professional rider of some 25 years standing and have had 30 plus machines, both owned, tested and job provided, under my butt, so to speak. So, I'm not easily star struck. I began planning my retirement from law enforcement in November last year by taking a fully loaded Rocket 3 Classic for a test run. I was given free reign by the dealer to travel as far as I wished in the allotted 8hrs. My other love duly took her place on the rear perch and I, with no little anxiety due to it's dimensions, set off on a circuitous route of North West England. Within 5 minutes any misgivings due to size had totally dissipated. This machine has such balance and neutrality that it beggars belief. Power roll on is instantaneous and the surge gives you a feeling I would describe as a combination of and on the same level as your first child's arrival/sky dive/roller coaster ride....What a rush, which forces your mouth corners to your ears and lasts for a week. Incredible! Handling for a bike this size demands Newton's Laws be reviewed. Fantastic! Comfort is peerless both for rider and pillion alike.
Needless to say the order was placed on our return. I am due to collect mine at the end January 2009, it's actually arrived at the dealers and is being painted and kitted as I type. I have chosen to have special paint, Phantom black/ New England white (As per the Touring model) and fit a quartet of optional, what I feel should be fitted as standard, accessories, e.g. Fuel gauge, clock, screen and alarm. I have also indulged in an upgraded manifold/exhaust system (test bike had it, good throaty noise at commuting speeds, glorious crack, crack, crack on the tap!), engine bars, highway pegs, colour coded radiator caps, fog lamps, knee pads and tank strap, touring seat, sissy bar and leather bags. Final cost £15,600ish. And, all with her blessing. How lucky can a man get? Will let you all know what it's like to live with in due course. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

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“The bike is great, everything I wanted and more. The...”

★★★★★

written by on 06/11/2008

The bike is great, everything I wanted and more. The only downside of the purchase was the dealership I bought it from in Perth Western Australia. I had it in for a small warranty job, an oil leak from the head, after 3 weeks and numerous phone calls I picked it up only to find the oil tank badly scratched, both side covers scratched and the fuel tank scratched. Dont by a bike from them.

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“The Triumph Rocket 3 has a very comfotable to ride...”

★★★★★

written by ajc5839 on 26/10/2008

The Triumph Rocket 3 has a very comfotable to ride long distances compared with more cramped sitting position, any one intrested should book a trail ride with a distributor, however there is no turning back from that point as you will be hooked.

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“I have had my Rocket Classic, for 14 months, and I...”

★★★★★

written by Dan66 on 05/10/2008

I have had my Rocket Classic, for 14 months, and I have almost 20,000 miles, not a hiccup yet, just replace the tires. The rear tire lasts about 5000 miles. This bike is a terrific cruiser, just goobbles up the miles, in comfort too. Love the bike. Dan66

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“I put 25,000 miles on my Triumph Rocket III in the...”

★★☆☆☆

written by y2khonorsgrad on 21/09/2008

I put 25,000 miles on my Triumph Rocket III in the first year under continuous problems of idle speed, backfiring, dying, rough idle, and hesitation to accellerate. Throttle body assemblies, ignition coils, and several computer program reloads were done but the problems always came back. The second year I only put 11,000 miles on the bike. Same problems but now mechanical problems came into the picture. Both bearings on the dampening output shaft went out and a spring washer in the clutch broke and made it difficult to stop the bike because the clutch would not release fully. The battery seems too small because when the engine is hard to start (like it has done so many times for me) it only gives you less than a minute of cranking then it is too low to start and will strand you where ever you might be. I have always been careful with my bike and refuse to abuse it because I depend on it to get me to work, plus my finances were stretched to purchase the bike. Also, even with careful riding the rear tire only last about 7,000 miles at a dealer replacement cost of $400. Scheduled maintenance from $300 to $700 every 10,000 miles. All this has made my bike an expensive mistake for an unreliable ride. The bike is out of warantee but still has backfiring and occasional rough idle problems. It stays parked and gets riden only 4 or 5 times a month instead of daily because I do not trust the bike.

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Bikersid's Response to y2khonorsgrad's Review

Written on: 17/12/2008

Hey y2khonorsgrad, I read your review with interest as it is the first I have seen that slates the Rocket. I have a Classic on order for the end January 2009. During the course of ordering the machine/ accessories I was advised by the salesman to have the manifold upgrade but stick with the OE pipes (cost reduction advice).<br/>However, later advice from a Triumph mechanic at the same outlet contradicted the former. Apparently, they can't map the EMU with that set up. It's either full upgrade (sport map) or remain with OE exhaust system or you can just upgrade the mufflers with the standard manifold.<br/>I was just wondering whether your idling problem may have something to do with the former advise I received?<br/>Thanks.

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Cammy1100's Response to y2khonorsgrad's Review

Written on: 22/01/2009

I think the reference to the manifold upgrade should be removing the cat upgrade along with the sports pipes. I had problems with my rocket - tickover dying when coming to lights etc. There were two recalls carried out at the british dealers which seem to have eradicated the problem. They were both to do with ECU remaps and the bike now ticks over slightly higher.
<br/>I have ditched the standard pipes and added Jardines, imported from the States. Good pipes, crap finish, not made for our weather here. Added in all about another 20-25bhp. Full tune, carried out with Tuneboy, gets rid of all restrictions, and thats when this baby becomes very interesting. Despite initial problems with tickover, which were resolved under warranty, the Rocket is the business.

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Y2Khonorsgrad's Response to y2khonorsgrad's Review

Written on: 08/01/2009

The Rocket remained stock the whole duration of the warranty period except for a car horn in place of the beep-beep horn.

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Asked by tfrump on 2nd September 2016 Report this content
I have an 05 rocket will not idleon its own, can keep running and drivable as long as throttle play but will not stay running on its own. What should I do?

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Asked by Landy07 on 17th August 2014 Report this content
I am looking to purchase a R3 2294 and would like some information on running costs, MPG, road tax and general servicing. Could anyone help me?

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