Triumph Rocket III Classic

With an engine as big as a car's and a dry weight of more than 300kg, nothing about Triumph's Rocket III makes sense ... until you ride it. This gigantic motorcycle, with its unique, in-your-face styling, is one of the most "out there" rides ever.

Everything about it is huge, from the fat seat to the wide handlebars. Its rear tyre is wider than most sports bikes and three shotgun-like exhaust pipes rake out at the back.

With a staggering 200Nm of torque on tap, the acceleration is akin to a jumbo jet on take-off, a turbine-like thrust that turns the tarmac into a blur.

The liquid-cooled, 2294cc, DOHC, in-line three-cylinder motor is tuned for torque but it also delivers 105kW of peak power at 6000rpm. The national launch took place on sweeping roads in the gentle hills north of Melbourne.

A combination of the low-rev torque delivery and the high-rev power output means the Rocket III can be ridden briskly on open roads.

It doesn't like hairpins but has surprising agility in most other conditions, despite its 320kg dry weight.

Beefy, 43mm, upside-down front forks and a pair of 320mm twin disc brakes with four-piston calipers work well. The conventional twin rear shocks are OK but the bike will wallow a bit if it hits a bump on a high-speed sweeper.

The best way to ride it briskly is to brake and change down before the corners and drive through. Chop the throttle in a turn and it runs wide. And with so much power you're sure to be going faster than you think.

So it's slow in and fast out ... a classic riding style from the era when cornering clearance was a major motorcycle issue. The Rocket III Classic is claimed to be a more pillion-oriented version of the standard model. It has better ground clearance than other cruisers but its running boards grind down quicker than the original. Also, the passenger seat needs a lip on it to stop the pillion sliding back.

As well as handling, brakes and stomping power delivery, there's a huge accessory catalogue covering luggage options and styling add-ons.

At a time when motorcycle manufacturers are catering to all tastes, the Rocket III is in a league of its own. The British factory thought it would be a niche market but it has been a sales success, with more than 500 sold here in the past 18 months.

The Rocket III Classic sells for $25,990, plus ORC.

Fast Facts

Triumph Rocket III Classic

Price: $25,990

Engine: Fuel-injected, liquid-cooled, DOHC, 2294cc, in-line 3-cylinder, 105kW@6000 rpm, 200Nm@2500rpm

Transmission: 5-speed with shaft final drive

Wheels: front 17in with 3.5in-wide rim; rear 16in, 7.5in rim

Fuel: 24-litre tank

Dimensions: Seat height 740mm; dry weight 320kg