Triumph Rocket X, 2015 road test

Triumph Rocket: Even before you get on it you know that it is exaggerated, due to the largest engine in the world on a production motorcycle, with a monstrous torque of over 220 Nm, practically double that of a Harley, 70% more than a Ducati Diavel. The doubt is that it is perfect for impressing at traffic lights, but hardly fun when you have to make it bend. In the end, however, it surprises with its ability to adapt, it manages to be pleasant even on a tortuous route, even if when you try to increase the pace it becomes rather tiring to drive. We tried the Rocket special limited edition launched last year to celebrate 10 years of the most exaggerated model in the Hinckley company's price lists.

Aesthetics and finishes:

rating:  

It inspires fear with that engine, with its 2 and a half meters in length and the rear dinghy


Photo by “LINGEGNERE”

The Rocket III, like the number of cylinders so dear to the English brand, caused a real sensation when it was presented in 2004. It's been more than 10 years, but it's still getting noticed and in fact the first day we drove the Rocket, while we were stopped at the traffic light a Carabinieri car pulled up to us to observe it up close. At the next traffic light, when the window was rolled down, an unexpected and naive question arrived. The agent, intrigued by the engine capacity of the motorbike, asked us: "How much is it?". A smile and a formal answer (before they think that we go around testing the maximum speeds on the road), underlining however that she is the undisputed queen of large displacements, because when driving a Rocket you can't help but be a little proud of have the rear on the bike with the largest engine a production motorcycle has ever had. The engine is the most attractive element also from an aesthetic point of view, with the three cylinders placed along the axis of the motorbike and not transversally as in "normal" motorbikes. The base, the external dimensions and every detail show off its exaggerated nature, not even the matte black finishes manage to streamline its appearance. The three large manifolds on the right side make some people think that it is even a 6-cylinder, precisely because a 3 in line with this positioning is out of the ordinary. There is space in front of the engine a radiator with automotive dimensions, because everything must obviously be proportionate.

Photo by “LINGEGNERE”

The frame also has a matte black finish, it is part of an aesthetic package dedicated tolimited edition of 500 copies for 10 years of the Rocket, the "X" precisely. In addition to the small dark windscreen and the black details, such as the handlebars, the mirrors and the gear and rear brake levers, other dedicated details are the 5-spoke rims (also black) with a light stripe on the external side of the channel, hand made. The real gem, however, is the painting of the fenders and the large tank, glossy black with a band that crosses the entire length of the Rocket, covered only by a layer of transparent varnish. The set-up is completed by the metal plates with the numbering (ours was 135 of 500) under the writing of the displacement and the commemoration of the 10 years. The name Rocket Whichever way you look at it, it flaunts its exaggerated nature. In front the double Triumph headlight seems to disappear in the middle of the boundless handlebars and the tire is almost as wide as the rear one of another motorbike (150), then behind it you can't help but notice it the 240 inflatable boat, flanked by the two large exhaust pipes. In the saddle it seems less gigantic, you have a very large tank in front of you, but the driving position gives the sensation of having everything under control straight away. The saddle is just 74 centimeters from the ground, the handlebars, also very wide, give the right leverage to dominate the Rocket, while the rather high and advanced footrests lead to a particular riding position, like a cruiser, slightly hanging from the handlebar. Worth noting is the peculiarity of the saddle, under which it is not even possible to store the registration document, because it is part of the engine's intake system. The filter box has a grille located under the rider and the seat structure includes the shrouds that go towards the rear.

Engine and performance:

rating:  

Do we have a couple?

Photo by “LINGEGNERE”

2.294 cc, 3 huge cylinders, 148 horsepower, but above all 221 Nm at just 2.750 rpm, 90% of which are already available below 2.000 rpm. Impossible not to be impressed. You turn it on with a bit of fear and the noise is typical of a three-cylinder. However, when you start to decisively open the throttle, the sound becomes more particular and angrier, but above all the delivery becomes devastating. The power is not mind-boggling (in the world of tuning, however, there are those who extract 240 horsepower from this base), but the couple really makes an impression. Recall that it is capable of burning it 0-100 km/h in 2,8 seconds and 0-50 in 1 second. However, we are not talking about an R1 or the super sports car of the moment, But say a bison weighing approximately 360 kg, capable of dragster acceleration. Up to 160 km/h it can keep pace with any sports bike. It pushes up to 7.200 rpm, although with all its torque there is certainly no need to change to the limiter and the 5 gears are too many. There are those who say that 2 would be enough, one to start and one to regulate the pace. We tried to start in third without any major problems. Thanks to just three cylinders, with a unit volume of over 750 cc, just to do some mathematical exercises it would be like having a 4-cylinder of over 3 litres, a 6-cylinder of 4,6 litres, or a V8 of over 6, stuff to compete with muscle cars made in the USA. It's surprising how angry he is when he opens the throttle, the 240 tire can't handle the torque not even in second gear and if you start out trying to understand what the Rocket is capable of, you end up leaving a black spot a few dozen meters long on the asphalt. There is nothing else comparable in the motorcycle scene, the Rocket is a provocation, an object that must be understood in its unique being, but that every enthusiast can only appreciate for how particular it is. In our test, during the photo shoot, we also had the experience of a single-wheeler that will certainly remain in our memories. Between one start and another, thanks to the hot tire and a change of asphalt taken at the right moment, instead of skidding, the rear wheel released all the force of its 221 Nm to the ground, taking the front towards the sky. A shiver down my spine accompanied the sensation of being at the handlebars of a motorbike so long that you can almost feel it twisting as a result of such a manoeuvre. That half-smile of lust then turned into disappointment after discovering that the photographer had not immortalized that moment, testifying to something not for everyone, which in some subsequent attempts we were no longer able to replicate. Stunt maneuvers aside, the Rocket is a pleasure to drive even with a tad of throttle, knowing that you have a practically infinite reserve of torque available to exit a bend brilliantly or to overtake without having to downshift. The solution adopted for engine lubrication, dry sump, allows you to maintain a low center of gravity, even if it is not placed particularly close to the ground. Thebalancing shaft it cancels the unpleasant effects that would occur due to the longitudinal positioning of the cylinders, especially when the bike is stationary and the cardan is almost not noticeable given the smoothness with which it manages the jerks that come from the engine by opening and closing the throttle. Finally, the low compression ratio (8,7:1), despite the record displacement, minimizes the engine braking effect. The only small flaw is the heat that comes from the collector area on the right leg, but keeping it forward and open limits the discomfort.

Ride and handling:

rating:  

Heavy yes, but comfortable and much more agile than expected

Photo by “LINGEGNERE”

It's certainly not a sports bike, with all its opulence, 360 Kg approximately in tonnage in running order, 2 and a half meters long and with a wheelbase of 1.695 mm. It couldn't be otherwise given the torque involved, you would end up overturning at every start, rather than leaving a stripe on the asphalt with the tyre. Returning to the naive (at least in our opinion) question of the policeman who accompanied us at the traffic lights, before trying it, however, another one always came to mind. Ok, with that engine and torque it's a drag racing dragster, but when the road isn't straight how will it perform? In spite of all this that we put as a premise, she does curves and not in a bad way either. The footrests are not within reach of the asphalt at the first half bend, there is enough space to go around a hairpin bend without the risk of finding yourself scraping them and having to run for cover. To tell the truth, it doesn't encourage you to run, you just enjoy the landscapes, comfortably seated on the soft saddle, with arms stretched out to grasp the enormous handlebars, while the feet and legs are in a more relaxed position. What is also surprising is the propensity to support the driver when the pace increases, though after a few minutes you pay for the physical work you end up doing to keep it at bay. Especially with the arms, which must counteract the size and reactions of the bike. The passenger feels little when riding, the size of the motorbike hides the additional weight, but the high comfort for the rider is rather reduced in the rear seat, where the saddle is smaller and the position quite uncomfortable. The aerodynamic protection is poor, limited to that provided by the small smoked screen, but it is certainly not a bike that encourages you to maintain a German motorway pace, and up to 120-130 you travel quite comfortably, but rather than on the motorway you end up to look for a more tortuous alternative, where you can enjoy this motorbike at a slower pace. The two 320 mm discs, plus the 316 rear one with a pump next to the right footrest whose massive and robust appearance reveals the work it is called upon to do, struggle quite a bit to stop the Rocket when it is launched at high speeds. The effort at the lever is never exaggerated and the ABS almost never comes into play. The stopping distances are reasonable, but be careful not to get carried away, because physics is always physics and the stopping distances are not those of a MotoGP.

Price and consumption:

rating:  

Exaggerated in everything or almost, the price seems almost "normal"

Photo by “LINGEGNERE”

Whoever buys the motorcycle with the largest engine in the world will certainly not do so to save petrol. The rule that would link consumption to displacement is often denied, but in part it can only be confirmed when there is a 2,3 liter engine between the tubes of the frame. Car displacement, car consumption, some would say, in reality it depends a lot on the driving style. In our test of just over 500 km we found an average value of around 13 with one liter, nothing too exaggerated, considering the use we made of it. In the first kilometres, the ones in which we got carried away the most, we had seen a value lower than 8 km/l, but it would be impossible to always drive like this. The fact remains that, despite the 24 liters of the tank, the choice to always keep the data on the residual range available to the driver is acceptable. The Triumph price list includes a price of 19.370 euros for the Rocket. Compared to how exaggerated this bike can be, it almost seems small, even if in absolute value it is certainly not a cheap price. However, the contents and equipment would also make a higher outlay permissible.

PROS AND CONS
We like it:
An exaggerated motorbike, in its performance and in its way of flaunting its opulence, super engine, excellent comfort
We do not like it:
Its size and dimensions make it tiring to drive at sporting speeds, with car-like fuel consumption when you get carried away

Triumph Rocket X: the Motorionline Report Card

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We used for the route: Tom Tom Rider V

Photo of the test by “LINGEGNERE”

Test clothing:
Jacket: Dainese Black Hawk

Trousers: Dainese Jeans Prattville

Gloves: Dainese Blackjack black

Shoe: Dainese Street Rocker

Helmet: Shark Vancore