My motorcycle is a Triumph Rocket 3.
In the carpark:
Despite a wet weight of 350 kg, the machine is very well balanced so easy to manoeuvre at slow speed.
On the open road:
You need to hang on, this bike has plenty of torque and horsepower and will go when you twist the right wrist. The bike feels very stable at all speeds. Overtaking is a breeze and torquey enough to pull in any gear. Snapping it down a gear or two it will go from 110kph to 160kph in the blink of any eye, so stay alert.
The detachable windscreen creates undue buffeting at helmet height, consequently has been off the bike since day 2.
In the hills:
Surprisingly, for a big cruiser, it handles quite well in the twisty stuff. The rocket has plenty of clearance, and you have to be well over before the pegs scrape. The big rear tyre (240) tends to make the bike stand up, so you need to use your weight to lean out ( a bit like Casey Stoner) to lean it over into the corners, but is is not a chore, in fact it is quite effortless. The brakes are exceptional ( I came from a Harley).
Commuting:
Being a big bike, be careful lane splitting, otherwise, being a well balanced motorcycle, it is an easy ride in traffic. Not the most economical for commuting (about $12 per 100ks) but still wont break the bank.
With a pillion:
You notice the pillion at low speed, the extra weight, but overall, no real issues. Like every bike, you lose a bit of clearance, but nothing excessive. Comfy on long trips, with wide seat and sissy bar/back rest.
Reliability:
Only trouble I have had was the ignition switch, but was covered under warranty, just one of those things. Otherwise has been very reliable
Overall rating:
This bike ticks a lot of boxes. It is lots of fun in the twistys and handles very well, yet it can be loaded up and taken on the 3000k road trip, comes with sizable panniers, sissy bar and luggage rack. Great all rounder. Well finished, lots of bang for your buck
8/10
By Phil Notaro