2020 Triumph Rocket III R
2020 Triumph Rocket III GT

15 years after the original Rocket III broke the roadster motorcycle mould, Triumph have now upped the ante with a long anticipated release of vastly improved and essentially all-new models for 2020.

It is too early for accurate price indications as yet, but we understand that it is anticipated that the new Rocket III will sell for roughly around $35,000 AUD ride away when it arrives late this year.

The Triumph Rocket III R is expected to arrive in Australia around December, 2019, with stocks of the Rocket III GT arriving in the first month of 2020.

At 2458 cc the new Rocket III boasts the world’s largest production motorcycle engine.  Triumph claim the uprated new engine cranks out 11 per cent more power (165 hp), than the previous generation of the machines, and delivers the highest torque of any production motorcycle you can buy with 221 Nm at 4,000 rpm. It also revs higher than ever before with the new mill red-lining at 7000 rpm. Add the optional up-down quick-shifter for the six-speed gearbox and this is going to be one exciting machine from the traffic lights.

Those numbers promise some impressive thrust from the lights with both the Rocket III R and Rocket III GT more than 40 kg lighter than their predecessor. Claimed dry weight for the Rocket 3 R is 291 kg while the Rocket 3 GT registers 294 kg dry on the scales, 13 per cent lighter than the previous model.

Both variants of the machine look fantastic, with the striking design of the headers on the right-hand-side of the machine providing a hot-rod look with the promise of performance.  Imagine how good a turbo would look hanging out of those hydroformed headers 🙂

The brakes are provided by Brembo while Showa equips both models of the new Rocket 3 with fully-adjustable 47 mm forks and shock. The front wheel travel is 120 mm while the single-sided swingarm arcs through 107 mm.

Latest generation instrumentation features complete with the now customary riding modes, along with IMU driven traction control and cornering ABS systems. Cruise control is also standard on both models. The instrumentation also displays turn-by-turn navigation cues when connected to your phone via an optional bluetooth system and a facility to wirelessly control your GoPro camera from the controls is also available. Tyre pressure monitoring is another optional accessory. 

2020 Triumph Rocket 3 R and Rocket 3 GT Specifications

2020 Triumph Rocket 3 R and Rocket 3 GT Accessories

The new Rocket 3 R and GT can be personalised to suit the rider’s preferences with over fifty genuine Triumph accessories that have all been designed, engineered and tested alongside the development of these all-new motorcycles.

The new Rocket 3 luggage range:

• Innovative Triumph patented cast aluminium pannier ‘retractable & ‘lockable’ mounting system
• 20L sports panniers
• 12L magnetic tank bag
• Innovative Triumph patented 9L quick-release tail pack

New comfort accessories include:

• Roadster and touring handlebars
• Touring and sport seat
• Rider seat pad
• Comfort pillion seat
• Passenger backrest and pads with billet machined plate
• Passenger backrest rack
• Forward and mid foot controls
• Knee pads

2020 Triumph Rocket 3 R and Rocket 3 GT ‘Highway’ Inspiration Kit

To showcase the additional level of touring capability that can be added to the Rocket 3, Triumph have combined a selection of luggage and touring focused accessories that riders can use as the starting point to design their own Rocket 3 R & GT, or to have fitted by their dealer as a complete set.  The Highway inspiration kit includes:

• Luggage rack
• Sports panniers
• Pannier mount kit
• Triumph Shift Assist
• Triumph TFT Connectivity System