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Fly Me to the Moon
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2005 Triumph Rocket III
Neale Bayly
08/01/2005
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Gold & Goose
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Short-shifting through
the 5-speed gearbox, the Rocket III makes smooth progress in busy traffic
without catapulting me forward as I initially expected it would. With low
steering effort, the bike makes directional changes with minimum effort. The
bike slows from speed with ease, due in part to the sturdy 43mm inverted fork
that eliminates much of the dive normally found on heavyweight cruisers, and a
Daytona sportbike-sourced brake setup comprising a pair of Nissin 4-piston
calipers mated with dual 310mm rotors.
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Extricating myself from congested
traffic, I find some lightly traveled two-lane roads to stretch the Rocket III’s
throttle cables. As the big triple starts putting its horsepower through the
fat, 240-section rear tire, I prepare for a wild ride. The landscape immediately
blurs in my peripheral vision, and I start to feel like a human windsock. The
speedometer needle, for those with 20/20 vision, rapidly ascends into the higher
digits—and that’s before fifth gear. The Rocket is aptly named.
Even when
crouching as low as possible, the wind roar makes it uncomfortable to hold these
speeds for long. As I return to a more law-abiding pace, it becomes easier to
marvel at the big, red beast’s split personality. Calm, relaxed, and extremely
easy to ride at low speed, its demeanor transforms to that of a rudely awakened
grizzly bear when the engine approaches redline.
The Rocket has a number of
typical cruiser elements—a low seat, wide handlebars, and long wheelbase—but
with an inverted fork and twin headlights up front, it appears to be emulating a
naked standard. Viewed from any angle, the engine and radiator are simply
massive, and even though the bike is peppered with chrome accents, it has an
agricultural look. The footpegs look like an afterthought, although unlike most
cruisers they are not too far forward. Leaned back on its side stand, though,
the bike’s overall visual appearance is stunning, as the cardinal red gas tank
and chrome exhaust pipes reflect the afternoon sun. Undeniably unique and
massively powerful, yet perfectly civilized for normal riding duties, the Rocket
III ($15,990) represents a quantum leap ahead for Triumph, and a fascinating
alternative for riders who are interested in a heavyweight power cruiser.
678.854.2010
www.triumphmotorcycles.com
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