Before You Buy a Rocket 3 GT (Ride one on Iron Mountain!)

[@flatcapcaferacer]

I took one like yours to the Bonneville Salt Flats in August 2024 and oir best timed average mile was just over 152 mph. The speedometer registered an optimistic 161 mph. We made two changes removed the license plate/brake light off and removed the ECU restrictions. We had to add steering stablizer per the rules and the bike was stable throughout the three mile run.

[@ridingwithmarshall]

@@flatcapcaferacer I want to remove the ECU restrictions! I'll bet my dealer won't do it though.

[@flatcapcaferacer]

@@ridingwithmarshall I don't think Triumph will let them but my buddy did his in about 20 minutes.

[@oddmanout43]

I've been contemplating if this is the bike for me, but as we all know by now, "What can be, unburdened by what has been." so now I'm not sure. the motor is bigly, biglier than I thought it would be. Just a little pre-election humor before it's over. This was another excellent review. Keep it up.

[@danbsimpson]

Do it, i highly doubt you'll regret it

[@drdoolittle5724]

Fit young man machine?, There's neg me only thinking, 'how to pick it up', 'no crash bars', 'no reverse', I've spoiled it all for myself before I've even saved up the 18000 missing £'s! Great video Sir, from The Isle of Man, where you can legally see 145 mph, for 1 second!!!

[@philcopp6414]

A great review. Numerous bikes later and 2 Rocket 3 Tourings I bought a new 2023 GT this summer. At 77, I love the bike. It does everything well with goobs of power and performance. And Yes. It will ruin you for liking or wanting any other bike. Ya gotta love the Rocket GT. It's awesome and just glides down the road. One test ride and I had to have it. I'm certainly enjoying mine.

[@ridingwithmarshall]

@@philcopp6414 Same here. I found, I rode it, I can't back a week later and bought it. No regrets. I don't think I've ever been more anxious to get the plates.

[@tonysimcox6592]

Great review, no stupid music. Cool Bike, well done!

[@Bybert-9ky]

I have a GT identical to this bike. Same colors and all. I love it. First, there is a company in Ohio that makes a larger luggage rack behind the seat where you can secure a backpack style bag that easily fits a helmet plus more stuff without hiding the taillight. Second, the Triumph quick shifter is a truly great addition. Just convenient. (If it doesn't work when the dealership installs it, it's because the software needs to be upgraded.)

[@elithegreat6463]

I have a 2023 Rocket-R in Matte-Ice-Silver...So Bad Ass. And yes, the rear suspension has to be softened. I also put on the Heated Grips, and a Triumph Quick-Shifter, so handy when Warping onto on-ramps. As far as oil, I use the Amsoil 15-50, very easy to buy on their website. And if you feel like it Runs too Hot in the Summertime, 20-50 is also an Option, it won't hurt, if anything it'll Help in managing/protecting from Heat. You will see after reading this, that you can use the rear license plate rail/turn signal rail to hold a small strap on Leather Bag to carry whatever, mine has a Tire Repair kit. (Just use your ingenuity on how to place and what size bag you use) And Yes, the Rocket is the only Bike iv'e owned in the 40+ yrs Riding that I can say, "It's a Keeper" I love to park it, and have people just Crowd around it, and just Gawk at it. Some mistake it for a 6-Cylinder , I just chuckle and say, "No it's a 3" I couldn't stand the GT model, that riding position would make me sell the Bike...But I just love my R. Ride Safe...😎

[@victorviveros3745]

Hi, very useful info. Do you hace a pic or video where you show the mounting of the bag with tbe strap on the license or near

[@McmeYTman]

Looking at possibly getting one of these. I've always been a bit of a power seeker and I currently have a 2019 Yamaha MT10 that's pretty heavily modded. But I am looking for something that will still give me the thrill that bike does but also be way more comfortable while doing it. This bike seems like the one and only real option for power, comfort, and "decent" handling. As long as I can ride it all day and not hate myself afterwards I think it might be a good fit for me.

[@ridingwithmarshall]

You and I seek the same things. There's only a handful of powerful bikes that are all-day comfortable too, and yet have some character. I recently posted a review of the now decade-old Honda Valkyrie GL1800C. It is one of my favorites, but still wasn't all-day comfortable without spending thousands more. I'm about to post a Ducati XDiavel review that has comparable power, but there will be downsides to that too. The Rocket 3 fits the bill for me. I usually don't like leaning forward to get to the bars, but they got the angle just right. I might get the mid-controls kit for it with Quick shifter, but for now, I'm plenty happy with it as is.

[@McmeYTman]

@@ridingwithmarshall I have also been looking at the Xdiavel but the standard handle bar position seems less that ideal for me. I would agree on the quick shifter, I have an up/down one fitted to my MT10 and it's nice to have. I would stick with forward controls myself given my bad knees and somewhat taller height. Too bad riding season is more or less closed, I'd like to go and try to test ride one.

[@ridingwithmarshall]

@McmeYTman The XDiavel had a lot of vibration, at least the used one I rode. It handled better than the Rocket, but the vibration in the engine when under power was a no-go for me. It doesn't win any awards in the looks department either. If you get a Rocket, make sure the rear master cylinder recall is or gets done. It's free.

[@McmeYTman]

@@ridingwithmarshall Currently eyeballing a few I'd need to go on a trip to pick up. I just wish I could get in a test ride before the weather improves and prices start to go up again. I'll need to keep the recall in mind, I was not aware of that.

[@danbsimpson]

I loved it. I highly doubt you'd regret it

[@dimitrispratling4785]

That bike is absolutely insane. Waaaaay to much iron horse for me but if I was filthy rich I would get one. A few weeks ago I rode in a friend of my friend's ( who is filthy rich btw) Brand new Lucid Air Sapphire alledgedly capable of 0 to 60 in 1.89 seconds it was sureal . I can't even remotely imagine going 2.7 seconds open air!! Kudos to you sir and thank you for taking us on the ride with you! 😊

[@ridingwithmarshall]

@@dimitrispratling4785 Aww, that was sweet! The Rocket is so well planted with the wide tires, and it makes so little fuss, that you really don't notice that you just went from 60 to 105 while passing that semi. The only time it feels hard to control is when you have cold tires and gun it coming out of a curve. Rear wheel slid an inch or so today doing just that. Otherwise, it's well behaved. Thank you for tuning in. Next up will be a BMW S1000, followed by the new Honda E-clutch bike.

[@dennisolson3667]

Welcome to my stomping grounds! As a young man me and my V65 Sabre bombed all over these roads. Now, as an older guy I run Royal Enfield. Still have a ton of fun on those roads.

[@ridingwithmarshall]

@@dennisolson3667 My ride on the Needles was pure heaven. The leaves were in full color, 74 degrees, very little traffic, it was perfect. I need to find a way to work that footage in.

[@erichouck9487]

did that ride 2 years ago on the Shadow, great ride

[@ukbusman]

A beautiful bike, and streets ahead of any other manufacturer in quality and finish, as was our beloved Concorde..RIP (a political killing)

[@davewilkirson2320]

Great review sir. I have the 2020.

[@hershchat]

Liked the review. Thanks.

[@ralpheglass]

Adjust the suspension per the manual and the ride is excellent! If you test ride one without adjusting the suspension you’ll likely have a poor and painful ride! I sure did.

[@victorviveros3745]

Awesome ,,, What do you really mean with yhe pushrods comments, is that bad? How do you managed with luggage ( small rack ) is there any bag that you will recommend? Thank you on advance

[@ridingwithmarshall]

@@victorviveros3745 Harley's, except for the V-rod s, have pushrods. These rods are heavy and limit the rpms. This is one reason why you don't see too many V-Twins pushing rpms past 5k. You can bore out the cylinders, change the cam, change the engine mapping, but you are still fighting gravity with push-rods. Look at a photo of a Street Glide and you'll see the rod housings running up and down the cylinders. As for luggage, stay tuned. Triumph sells a set of small side bags, but I think I'll get a top case instead.

[@Bob-xc2us]

My Kawasaki W800 speedometer reads about 3% faster than you are actually going. Why do they do that? My 2023 Ford Maverick speedometer is very accurate by comparison.

[@ridingwithmarshall]

Exactly. Accuracy only counts in American Cars and Japanese Bikes

[@joetrumblak3522]

Would this bike work as a touring bike .

[@ridingwithmarshall]

@@joetrumblak3522 with luggage, yes. I only live 5 hours from South Dakota, but I stayed there two nights. I should have made it three, but money was tight having just bought the bike.

[@4998826p]

It IS a touring bike

[@RickLeierer]

I spent 520$ at dealer for my first oil change on my 2023 Rocket R.

[@ridingwithmarshall]

Oil change, or first service? My whole first service was $465. Oil changes are about half that at my dealer.

[@RickLeierer]

​@ridingwithmarshall it was the first service.