Hugh Janus Posted March 19 Share Posted March 19 Triumph upped the horsepower on its 2024 Rocket 3 R Storm (shown) and Rocket 3 GT Storm. (Triumph/)Back in 2004 the cruiser market was in all-out warfare as companies battled to have ever-larger engines. Honda’s VTX1800 and Kawasaki’s VN2000 dwarfed the Harleys of the era. Then Triumph emerged with a vast 2.3-liter triple in the Rocket III and in a stroke ended the argument: It had the world’s biggest purpose-made motorcycle engine and has held on to that title ever since.With an inline engine layout reminiscent of pre-war Excelsior Hendersons or Indian Fours, the Rocket was unlike any Triumph before it and despite the British company’s obsession with heritage and focus on the ever-growing Bonneville range, the Rocket kept a spot in the lineup. Come 2019 an all-new version, now called Rocket 3 instead of Rocket III and packing an even bigger 2,458cc triple in a much lighter aluminum chassis, shifted the bike’s focus toward more muscular, modern cruisers like the Ducati Diavel. Power rose to 165 hp, backed by 163 lb.-ft. of torque and a limited-edition run of 750 exclusive, handmade Rocket 3 TFC machines pushed power higher still to 180 hp.The 2024 Triumph Rocket 3 GT Storm has a cruiser style compared to the R. (Triumph/)Now, 20 years after the Rocket III’s debut, there’s a new version: the Rocket 3 Storm. Like that limited-edition TFC version from 2019, it gets 180 hp—3 hp more than the current holder of the “most powerful Triumph” crown, the Speed Triple 1200, making it Triumph’s most powerful mass-made motorcycle. It’s always been the torquiest Triumph, too, courtesy of that vast engine capacity.Like its predecessor, the Rocket 3 Storm comes in two flavors. The R is the more aggressive-looking variant, with lower, forward-set bars and mid-mounted pegs, while the GT takes a more relaxed approach with pulled-back bars, a small screen, a lower seat, and forward foot controls. Both have the same performance and chassis setups, with the GT paying just a slight weight penalty for its extra equipment, coming in at 706 pounds compared to 699 pounds for the R.The R model of the 2024 Rocket 3 is lighter than the GT by 6.6 pounds. (Triumph/)Perhaps illustrating how under-stressed that vast three-cylinder engine is, the extra 15 hp gained by the 2024 Rocket 3 Storm models comes purely through changes to the engine management. These tweaks raise the peak revs, with the max power now arriving at 7,000 rpm instead of 6,000 rpm. Maximum torque is also slightly up at 166 lb.-ft. but arrives at the same 4,000 rpm as the previous model. The engine tweaks also ensure the bike meets the latest Euro 5+ emissions limits in Europe, slightly reducing its CO2 output.The chassis is unchanged, with the same aluminum frame bolted to a fully adjustable Showa 47mm USD fork and a single-sided swingarm with an offset Showa piggyback reservoir monoshock, also fully adjustable for compression and preload damping as well as preload. It’s the same story with the carryover brake setup, which was already impressive thanks to Brembo Stylema M4.30 four-piston radial front calipers on dual 320mm discs, backed up by yet another four-pot caliper—this time an M4.32—at the rear on a 300mm rotor. Cornering ABS is standard thanks to a six-axis IMU, which also enables several levels of cornering traction control and four riding modes.Other equipment includes cruise control and hill-hold control as well as keyless ignition, and the GT has heated grips as standard. The same grips are optional on the R, and both models can be personalized with an array of different bars, seats, foot controls, screens, and luggage options. On the tech side, an up/down quickshifter, a phone connectivity module for on-dash navigation and media, and a tire pressure monitoring system are all available as extras.The GT model of the Rocket 3 Storm has a more relaxed, cruiserlike riding position than the R. (Triumph/)Visually, the Rocket 3 Storm models take on a murdered-out style, swapping chrome and brushed or polished aluminum finishes for satin blacks on the hydroformed exhausts, which retain their distinctive three-muffler layout with one on the left and two on the right. New wheels save a couple of pounds of unsprung mass, giving a disproportionate benefit to handling, but retain the dimensions of the previous model with a 150/860-17 front and 240/50-16 rear. Metzeler Cruisetec tires replace the Avon Cobra Chromes of the earlier generation.Both rocket 3 Storm models get new Metzeler Cruisetec tires. (Triumph/)Each version of the bike gets three two-tone color options: red, blue or gray, each combined with black, but the pairs of colors are inverted on the GT. Despite the extra 15 hp, the price increase for 2024 is a fairly modest $1,200, pushing the Rocket 3 Storm R to $24,995 and the Storm GT to $25,795.Rocket 3 Storm Specs MSRP: $24,995 (R) / $25,795 (GT) Engine: DOHC, liquid-cooled inline three-cylinder Displacement: 2,458cc Bore x Stroke: 110.2 x 85.9mm Compression Ratio: 10.8:1 Transmission/Final Drive: 6-speed/shaft Claimed Horsepower: 180 hp @ 7,000 rpm Claimed Torque: 166 lb.-ft. @ 4,000 rpm Fuel System: Fuel injection, ride-by-wire Clutch: Wet, multiplate, torque assist; hydraulically actuated Frame: Full aluminum Front Suspension: Showa 47mm USD fork, compression and rebound adjustable Rear Suspension: Showa piggyback reservoir monoshock, compression, rebound and preload adjustable Front Brake: Brembo Stylema M4.30 4-piston radial calipers, 320mm discs Rear Brake: Brembo M4.32 4-piston caliper, 300mm disc Wheels, Front/Rear: cast aluminum; 17 x 3.5 in. / 16 x 7.5 in. Tires, Front/Rear: 150/80R-17 / 240/50R-16 Rake/Trail: 27.9°/5.3 in. Wheelbase: 66.0 in. Seat Height: 30.4 in. (R) / 29.5 in. (GT) Fuel Capacity: 4.8 gal Claimed Wet Weight: 699 lb. (R) / 706 lb. (GT) Contact: triumphmotorcycles.com Source Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boboneleg Posted March 19 Share Posted March 19 Perfect for some of those huge long roads in USA but for UK that's just a willy waving bike. 2 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pedro Posted March 19 Share Posted March 19 1 hour ago, boboneleg said: Perfect for some of those huge long roads in USA but for UK that's just a willy waving bike. They sound nice, too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saul Posted March 19 Share Posted March 19 They are huge in the flesh, I think they look like locomotives when near a more normal sized bike. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buckster Posted March 20 Share Posted March 20 I approve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boboneleg Posted March 20 Share Posted March 20 42 minutes ago, Buckster said: I approve. Yep, small willy 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buckster Posted March 20 Share Posted March 20 8 minutes ago, boboneleg said: Yep, small willy Do you want a picture? 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boboneleg Posted March 20 Share Posted March 20 2 hours ago, Buckster said: Do you want a picture? Is your name @XTreme ? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buckster Posted March 20 Share Posted March 20 1 hour ago, boboneleg said: Is your name @XTreme ? It's okay, I wasn't able to hold the camera far enough away to get it all in the frame. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saul Posted March 20 Share Posted March 20 1 minute ago, Buckster said: It's okay, I wasn't able to hold the camera far enough away to get it all in the frame. Small camera? 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buckster Posted March 20 Share Posted March 20 1 minute ago, Marcel said: Figure you would approve...try doing a multi day road trip on one of those thing ...I see no practical use for such a bike another than a conversation piece at the local donut slash coffee shops...a perfect bike for you Buckwheat... Practical use? 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buckster Posted March 20 Share Posted March 20 10 minutes ago, Marcel said: No luggage ..no windscreen...it's a coffee shop runner...like I was saying...perfect bike for you... Dude, you are older than Pete. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boboneleg Posted March 20 Share Posted March 20 19 minutes ago, Buckster said: It's okay, I wasn't able to hold the camera far enough away to get it all in the frame. Have you got a black one then 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XTreme Posted March 20 Share Posted March 20 42 minutes ago, Marcel said: a perfect bike for you Buckwheat... You got his number Marcel! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buckster Posted March 20 Share Posted March 20 Unfortunately it has an aluminium headstock so I wouldn't buy one. That's an accident waiting to happen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Catteeclan Posted March 20 Share Posted March 20 1 hour ago, Buckster said: It's okay, I wasn't able to hold the camera far enough away to get it all in the frame. Are we talking heads Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pedro Posted March 20 Share Posted March 20 A 2500cc sounds just ideal for towing. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buckster Posted March 20 Share Posted March 20 29 minutes ago, Marcel said: After 25 years of challenging me on bike forums and always coming up short...you would figure he would learn and let it rest... he must be one dumb Scottish twat..lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buckster Posted March 20 Share Posted March 20 7 minutes ago, Marcel said: Still with a 2500 cc engine it has...it got a lower top speed than 1290... and also the challenger after the speed limiter is removed...some challenger have been clocked at 250kph without the limiter in place...did you know that ? Your lucky to get harley pass 160 kph before bits starts flying off... Kph? Is that some sort of homosexual thing? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buckster Posted March 20 Share Posted March 20 13 minutes ago, Marcel said: Ok then I'll breack it down for you then...150 milles per hour..wich is roughly 250 km/h. So you admit it is a homosexual thing? You Canucks are all about the man on man love. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buckster Posted March 22 Share Posted March 22 Just now, Marcel said: Anyone seeing a pattern here..? Soon has he's beaten he starts throwing gay insults... Village People. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zzzak Posted March 22 Share Posted March 22 On 21/03/2024 at 02:30, Marcel said: Figure you would approve...try doing a multi day road trip on one of those thing ...I see no practical use for such a bike another than a conversation piece at the local donut slash coffee shops...a perfect bike for you Buckwheat... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buckster Posted March 23 Share Posted March 23 10 hours ago, Marcel said: Here's your fantasy man Buckster ...kinda looks like your typical Harley guy..? Pretty sure he rode an Indian. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
busabeast Posted March 24 Share Posted March 24 What about a boss hoss bucky/Marcel? I'd bet both of you would love one of them Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buckster Posted March 24 Share Posted March 24 I’ve ridden one, corners are an adventure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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