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| | | Road Test: 2008 Triumph Rocket III Touring world launch-Rocket alert in Texas! |  Written: 08/11/2007 : 12:25. Read 30969 times (20/day). | Rocket calling Houston; 207Nm about to rip up the tarmac! Not too far from Houston, in San Antonio, Texas we ride in the footsteps of Davy Crockett. –Past the Alamo, we head out into the Texas hill country on a 200 mile ride on the all new Triumph Rocket III Touring. The message is clear, don’t mess with the Rocket!
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The 2008 Triumph Rocket III Touring is an all new model based on the Rocket III launched in 2004. Only the engine, brakes, rear light and the mirrors are the same as on the original power cruiser. 
The R3 Touring gets an extra dollop of torque at even earlier revs than before. That translates to 209Nm @ 2.000rpm. To enable this Triumph have sacrificed a lot of horsepower as the Touring is down from 141bhp to 107bhp @ 5.400rpm.
The massive low rpm torque gives clean drive in 5th gear even from 30Mph. -Entering the towns I could just stick to fifth if I wanted to and let the torque do the job. 
The Rocket III Touring has more than enough motor in other words even if your girlfriend is a horse. Being a pure touring motorcycle Triumph has added a new clip-on/off windscreen as standard developed with US firm National Cycle.  
With the new tyres in particular the huge Rocket III turns from side to side very easy. -Much easier than the power cruiser. The steel frame and swingarm which also houses the drive shaft is all new. 
On our 200 mile ride I got the fuel warning light just after doing 114 miles. You have still got 4 litres left in the fuel tank and considering the low revving nature the range is very good. The new and wide touring seat is 4 mm shorter than on the standard Rocket III.  
On the motorway I got a fair bit of wind and turbulence to my head with the standard windscreen. It wasn’t anywhere near to Parkinson’s decease level, but noticeable for a six-footer like me. Triumph are offering 75 different accessories to the Rocket III Touring and two of them are one taller windscreen that also covers our tortured heads and a small stylish fly-screen with no wind protection at all. The engine hums effortlessly at very low rpm on the motorway. In Texas which is the second biggest state in the US I missed cruise control on endless stretches of motorway doing speeds between 60-70mph.  
Both the rider and passenger gets huge comfortable teardrop shaped footboards. So that you don’t ruin the chromed look Triumph have added wear plates for inspired riding. And it is easier than you think to get a bit inspired on the new and better handling Rocket III. The heel/toe gear lever is fully adjustable and the gearing is positive if not as refined as on one of the Tokyo cruisers.
The brakes remain the same as on the original 2004 and current models. That means that they are still powerful enough and the Rocket III Touring is one of a few big bruiser cruisers where it feels natural to only use the front brakes from time to time. 
After having a proper cowboy lunch at the Steel Horse we all rode back to San Antonio. When entering the city centre it must have been at least 30 degrees Celsius and during the whole journey I was impressed about how little of the engine heat that reached my legs. Heat radiation to the lower legs is a problem with various reputable makers of fine cruisers, but not on the big Triumph.
Conclusion
The 2008 Triumph Rocket III Touring is entering a very conservative, but lucrative market. So the Rocket has lost some of its big fat flare and that suits this market just fine. 
+
The engine as usual (torque, torque and torque)
Handling from a new chassis and wheels
Less horsepower equals a better price and better value for money
Acceptable heat radiation to lower legs
-
Heavy throttle amplifies the need for cruise control
With conservative styling elements it will not be as recognisable on the road as the original Rocket III
Why not add more readable info from the ECU on a Touring bike (such as average fuel consumption, outdoor temperature, average speed etc…)?
Rocket III Touring Specification:
ENGINE:
Type: Liquid-cooled, DOHC, in-line 3-cylinder single primary balancer (gear driven)
Capacity: 2294cc
Bore/Stroke: 101.6 x 94.3mm
Compression Ratio: 8.7:1
Fuel System: Multipoint sequential electronic fuel injection twin butterflies, progressive linkage on primary butterflies
Exhaust: 3 into 1 into 2. large volume catalysts in front of silencers. Stainless steel headers and link pipe, chrome-plated mild steel silencers
Ignition: Digital-inductive type via electronic engine management system twin spark plugs per cylinder
TRANSMISSION:
Primary Drive: Gear 1.034:1 ratio, with backlash eliminator
Final Drive: Shaft
Clutch: Wet, multi-plate cable operated
Gearbox: 5-speed constant mesh
Throttle body diameter: 52mm
Gear Ratios:
- 1st 2.929:1
- 2nd 1.947:1
- 3rd 1.435:1
- 4th 1.160:1
- 5th 0.964:1
Oil Capacity: 5.9l dry fill (1.6 US gals), 5.4l oil & filter change (1.4 US gals), 5.1l oil change only (1.3 US gals)
CYCLE PARTS:
Frame: Tubular steel, twin spine
Swingarm: Twin-sided, steel (houses drive shaft)
Wheels
Front: Alloy 25-spoke 16 x 3.5in
Rear: Alloy 25-spoke 16 x 5.0in
Tyres
Front: Bridgestone Exedra G853 150/80 R 16
Rear: Bridgestone Exedra G850 180/70 R 16
Suspension
Front: Kayaba 43mm forks. 120mm travel. Fully shrouded uppers
Rear: Kayaba chromed spring twin shocks with 5 position adjustable preload. 105mm wheel travel
Brakes
Front: Twin 320mm floating discs, Nissin 4 piston fixed calipers
Rear: Single 316mm fixed disc, Brembo 2 piston floating caliper
Instrument display/functions
Tank mounted instruments assy with large speedo and integrated fuel gauge. Includes LCD to display ODO, Trip1, Trip2, Range-to-empty & Clock. Warnings lights include alarm LED. Instruments control auto-cancelling indicators. Integrated instrument scroll button on switchcubes.
Warning Lights
Indicators / High Beam / Neutral / Mil / Fuel / Oil Pressure / Alarm / Water Temp
Display
Clock / Trip 1 / Trip 2 / Odo / Range to Empty
DIMENSIONS:
Length: 2608mm
Width (Handlebars): 895mm Across handlebar end weights. (Excludes levers & mirrors.)
Height: 1182mm (Excludes quick release screen & mirrors.)
Seat Height: 736mm
Wheelbase: 1708mm
Rake/Trail: 32º/185mm
Weight (Dry): 362kg
Fuel Tank Capacity: 22.3litres
PERFORMANCE:
(MEASURED AT CRANKSHAFT TO DIN 70020)
Maximum Power: 108PS (107bhp) at 5400rpm
Maximum Torque: 209Nm (154ft.lbf) at 2000rpm
Words: Tor “Crockett” Sagen/Photography by: Riles & Nelson
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