This Is The largest Capacity Production Motorcycle Ever Made
Photos By Jake Hoare
Wow. The Triumph Rocket 3, at two and a half liters, that’s right: 2500cc, is the largest capacity production motorcycle ever made. Everywhere you go, people stare at it, cross the road, and take photos because they’ve never seen anything like it. You’ve never ridden anything like it either. It has so much torque, so much power, yet unlike many high-displacement bikes, this one is rideable. Highly rideable – so well-proportioned it’s hard to grasp its size until you get closer and see the enormity of the engine and transmission.
Finish-wise, it is superb. Every surface, every angle, everything on the bike is both functional and sculptural. I wouldn’t describe it as pretty, but more sculptural than brutal. It’s handsome and epic—words that describe very large things. The design is just right. It’s not over-designed, letting the engineering speak for itself. And what engineering it is! Everything is vast, from the Metzeler tires to the intake and exhaust headers. Every measurement on this motorcycle is bigger than anything you’ll see anywhere.
You might imagine that something this vast, with its own specific gravity, would be unwieldy to drive. However, it is not. There is no category for this bike; it defines its own. Since ‘planet’ was taken, we’ll call it a maximum capacity sports cruiser.
Take your time at a standstill and when maneuvering the bike at low speed, but as soon as you pop it into gear, the wall of torque handles the bulk, and you just ride. It has such a presence that you feel seen on this bike, and that makes you feel safer. People give it car-sized space because they know that anyone riding a beast like this must be badass. This bike deserves to be ridden by Tom Hardy or The Rock. I’m only five foot nine and yet I found it manageable in all situations. You’re not going to use this as a lane-splitting, commuting scalpel, but I rode it in traffic, dry and wet conditions, through busy and quiet roads, day and night, and it was an absolute pleasure.
With various modes designed to tame the outrageous power, I never felt anything but completely comfortable and in control of this asteroid-sized piece of machinery. The best way to let-down a big bike is to under-brake it, but that has not happened here. Everything about the bike is scaled to meet its needs. It accelerates hard, brakes well, and rides well.
With a 240 back tire, bigger than most cars, you might be surprised to hear that it also handles well, responding neutrally to rider inputs. The most important factor of motorcycle handling is predictability, and I was consistently impressed that this bike would do what I wanted, popping out the other side of a corner with confidence and putting a big grin on my face.
Picking up the bike was something special. Mike from Triumph New Zealand put on his serious face and said, “Tim, you’ve never ridden anything like this.” I listened intently. He was right. I don’t think there is anything like this. If you want the biggest, most awe-inspiring bike, this is it.
If Auckland is ever in a drought, the guaranteed way to break it is to give me a motorcycle for a review ride. Time and time again, as I pick up the new bike, it starts to spit rain. Before you know it, I’m riding a very expensive, very valuable motorcycle in wet conditions. During a week, I had two dry days on the bike, which I loved. Thankfully the Rocket was also confidence-inspiring in the wet.
Such huge capacity going into three cylinders means you’ve got some of the biggest pistons ever made for any vehicle, kicking out ‘rip your arms off’ torque at the twist of the throttle. The overrun burble is addictive. I found myself finding all kinds of ways to roll off the throttle and hear it grumble and mumble.
For me, this would be the ultimate bike for a Sunday ride with a pillion on the back, smiles on your faces. However, you could also comfortably nip out for a 400-kilometer tour, and you’d love that as well. Interestingly, it occupies a space where sports bikers and the Harley crowd both appreciate it. It gets universal respect, and that’s pretty cool. Triumph is on a roll as they continue to churn out brilliant bikes that people want, from learner bikes that look collectible to this behemoth.