Here’s What Makes The Triumph Rocket 3 Engine So Special – SlashGear

Remarkably, the Rocket 3 motor weighs 40 pounds less than its predecessor in spite of being larger, courtesy of a newly revised crankcase. Engine aside, the two Rocket 3 models also received a host of new features including fly-by-wire throttle, selectable drive modes, cruise control, keyless ignition, and revised traction control. One characteristic which didn’t change between the old Rocket III and the new Rocket 3 is the longitudinal placement of the engine, necessitated by size. That is, the three cylinders are aligned front to rear rather than perpendicular to the bikes’ frames like you’ll find with Triumph’s smaller Triples. 

So how fast is the bike that’s wrapped around the world’s largest motorcycle engine? Zero to 60 mph happens in just 2.73 seconds, which puts the Rocket 3 R in the company of the very fastest sportbikes. Quite the feat considering the Rocket 3 R’s decidedly un-sportbike-like nearly 700-pound curb weight. 

If you’re interested in buying some bragging rights of your own, the Rocket 3 is available in two versions: the R (roadster) starts at $23,895, and the more comfortable touring-oriented GT starts at $24,595. Chromed-out special editions of both bikes are also available for a small upcharge, as is a racy version called the “221.” If you’re wondering, 221 represents the engine’s torque output measured in the United Kingdom’s preferred format: newton-meters.