Triumph Rocket III

Specifications
Price: $14,999 Engine: 2294cc, liquid-cooled, inline 3-cylinder Compression ratio: 8.7:1 Valvetrain: DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder Fuel System: EFI	Transmission: 5M Final Drive: Shaft Suspension F/R: 43mm inverted forks/dual shocks, preload adjustable Suspension Travel F/R: 4.8 in./4.2 in.	Brakes F/R: Dual 320mm discs/316mm disc Tires F/R: 150/80-R17/240/50-R16 Wheelbase: 66.7 in. Seat Height: 29.1 in. Dry Weight: 704 lb.

If ever a bike lived up to its name, it’s this beast. The Triumph’s engine delivers 140 hp and 147 lb.-ft. of torque. Woof! It was the only bike to run in the 11-second quarter-mile bracket. Be warned: This is not for the novice. The Rocket III isn’t forgiving and it doesn’t coddle. Quickly cranking the throttle wide open in just about any gear results in an accelerative force that is downright frightening. But for the skilled, experienced rider, the Rocket is one fun and rewarding ride. It’s neat to know that the Triumph can bury anything on the road. In day-to-day riding, the Rocket handles pavement irregularities nearly as well as the cushy Kawasaki. Bend the Rocket into a corner and the bike feels big and heavy. On a tight mountain road it takes some muscle to tackle quick transitions. The Triumph has the tallest seat height of the bunch, too, so shorter riders need not apply. Like the Honda and Harley, the Rocket III exudes quality, and it feels much more expensive than its price tag suggests. When raw muscle matters most, the Triumph is the undisputed heavyweight champion.