New Triumph Rocket III breaks covers with over 180hp!

Bruno Gomes

December 20, 2018

Triumph might be pushing hard to introduce into the market the brand-new models like the Scrambler 1200 and the recently shown Speed Twin, but that doesn’t mean that in Hinckley, the British manufacturer isn’t working in future models. And one of those models is a return of a fans favorite: The mighty Rocket III!

According to many different sources in Europe, and based on a photo leaked from the Triumph Dealer Conference held last October, the Rocket III is to be introduced into the market in 2019, and will show up with a brand-new engine, more technology and premium chassis components.

The engine will still be the big inline-triple from previous Rocket III generations, but this time Triumph has bumped displacement to 2500 cc! This new version of the triple engine will be Euro4 compliant, and at the same time sees the power go up to well over the 180 hp mark, while torque will be of over 230 Nm at just 3000 rpm. These are huge numbers for the new Rocket III!

Moving away from the pure cruiser style, and setting its goal to beat the Ducati Diavel for the crown of best power cruiser on the market, the Rocket III will surely have different variants, for example for touring.

To help you ride and explore all the potential of the new Rocket III, Triumph is developing a specific electronics package. Riding modes, cornering ABS, adjustable traction control – a must on a bike with such power – and many other features aimed for comfort and safety, like cruise control, are expected to find their way into this bike.

In line with what Triumph gives to other models, the dashboard will be a full color TFT unit, and riders will be allowed to connect their GoPro’s and smartphones via Bluetooth.

Triumph isn’t letting go much more information about this bike, but from the photo and leaks we know brakes are sourced from Brembo, the famous M50 monoblock calipers, front upside-down forks, the exhaust will end in a double end can and the frame is connected to a single-sided swingarm, which wasn’t used on previous Rocket III generations and is another shot at the Ducati Diavel.

We’re still unsure as to when Triumph will finally show us, at least officially, the new Rocket III.

Sources say that this bike will be available during 2019, and with Triumph being so unpredictable in revealing new models outside the big motorcycle shows like INTERMOT or EICMA, the Rocket II might arrive sooner than expected.

All in all, with Triumph launching so many new models like the Scrambler 1200 and the Speed Twin, and at the same time with the Hinckley factory investing heavily in racing with the new Moto2 engine supplier deal, this means next year will be very important for the British brand.