Triumph test Rides, Daytona and Rocket III,
Local Triumph dealer had a demo day on Saturday, so I went down to see what I could try out. I’m currently riding a newish Sprint ST, and have no complaints at all, was just curious about other bikes in the range. Unfortunately the new Thunderbird (1600 parallel twin) was fully booked as everyone wanted to try that out, so I went out on a Daytona then a Rocket III, so really covered both ends of the spectrum...
Daytona, 675cc Triple Sportsbike:
First impression was Geez this is tiny, I felt like my nose was right above the front wheel, and couldn't see the tank at all, seating position was pretty good though (I’m about 6ft 2 and 90kg). I thought it sounded a bit anaemic, with a slightly whistly exhaust note buzzing away beneath me, and I promptly stalled it as I attempted to pull out of the shop (dang)… Reminded myself I was on a smaller capacity machine and gave a few more revs to get going. First corner was a u-turn, and immediately felt like this bike could be flicked anywhere pretty easily, didn't take much to tip it over, and it felt well balanced throughout the turn. The chosen route took in a section of 70km/hr road, opening up to a 100km/hr rural loop, and back through town to the shop. As we were in convoy it was pretty sedate as I got a feel for things, but heading into a couple of open road sweeping corners my thoughts on cornering ability were confirmed. Out on the road I dropped a couple of gears and gave it a squirt (conscious that this bike only had 500 or so kms on board) and it really picked up as the revs rose, emitting a neat growl as the triple wound up, and enjoyed blipping the throttle and surging forward and back. Had a bit of fun up and down gears and slaloming the centre lines, and brakes were really impressive, as you would expect on a machine of these dimensions. Back in town, I actually liked the digital gear indicator on the dash, always thought these a bit redundant really, but I found myself glancing at it a few times (possibly novelty value?). I guess it's more important on a higher tuned, smaller capacity model to have the gear right, which may be the reasoning for having this function. The gear change needed a decent nudge, but once I had the knack gear changes were positive, and it was obvious through foot feel if you had engaged correctly. The ride was too short (about ˝ hr) to see how the weight of the body affected the wrists, but like all sports bikes, raising the head a bit let air pressure take some weight off the arms…
Summary: Great fun, really nice sound as the revs rise, but I think I would find it too small day-to-day and the wife wouldn’t like it on the back (which could be taken as a plus). Would be fantastic 1-up bike through twisties though, as it seems to handle amazingly and has ample oomph for its size…
Rocket III, 2300cc Longitudinal Triple,
I was on the standard Rocket, not the Touring model, which came with footboards, screen, panniers, valanced guards etc and I think they have different engine tunings? Mounted up and man it felt big - after riding the Daytona (where you couldn't see the tank under your chest) it seemed like all you could see was tank here. I found the key position a bit fiddly, stuck under the high-rise bar mounts, and had initially looked in vain on the sides of the bike for the ignition.
Anyway, after a play with the controls, delighting in the twisting motion that blipping the throttle initiated, I set off, definitely no danger of stalling here, that big donk really is a torque monster. Biggest issue for me was finding the forward foot pegs, I kept putting my feet where they ‘should’ go to find nothing there, but I guess cruiser riders would have the same issue hopping on a sports bike. Same route, so first turn was a u-turn, and man this felt odd. After the Daytona it really felt like something was loose up front, as a weird wobble happened as the beast heeled over. I got used to this over the course of the ride, but I guess it is due to the sheer bulk of the thing, it has a strange tipsy moment where you think something is amiss, but it gathers itself ok, and you have to trust the thing won’t fall over. Again I was taking it easy initially as I familiarised myself with the controls and handling, and noticed the seemingly low rev limit of 6000rpm. As I was tail-end-Charlie and a few vehicles were in front of me I prepared to overtake a trailer to catch up with the convoy of bikes. This was where the Rocket came into its own…
I recall reading initial road-tests of this seemingly insane sounding concept, and mention of the straight-line acceleration being lauded as sports-bike-like. They were right… I wound a bit of throttle on and was amazed at the surge in speed that arrived instantly. I settled further back in the plush seat and grinned like a lunatic as I roared past the traffic, and realised I had done this in top gear. Catching up with the bunch was no problem, the sweeping corners were taken in their stride, and on the straight I accelerated a bit to reel them in. I noticed the wind wasn’t too bad considering I was on an unfaired/screened machine, and was pleasantly surprised when I noted I was approaching the ton in old numbers. The brakes were tested coming up to a stop sign, and again I was surprised with their effectiveness, before we headed back into town. Now I had more confidence in the big machine I had a bit of fun with the gears and throttle, and loved it, the Rocket is aptly named once you open the tap, truly astounding what a mountain of torque can produce. I couldn’t help thinking the touring version of this (or adding a screen to this model) would be an excellent option if looking at touring the states or somewhere with similar roads.
Summary: The bike was much more manoeuvrable than I thought, it really grew on me over my short ride, and given the astounding acceleration and sheer presence I think I preferred it to the Daytona.
Sprint ST, 1050cc Triple
It’s always interesting getting back on your own bike after test riding other models, so I had a slight feeling of trepidation getting back on the Sprint to head home. No problems however, as it felt like the best of both worlds, what had once seemed slightly imposing bulk once now felt ‘right’, in between the twitchy, light Daytona and the monstrous Rocket behemoth. Acceleration was pleasantly brisk, and I don’t know if it was familiarity but handling seemed pretty good too. I enjoyed my ride home…
Summary: Think I made the right choice going for the ST, torquey, fast and agile enough, and the hard panniers, gel seat, heated grips and other ‘old-man’ accessories make it a capable two-up tourer. I had almost tossed a coin between the Duc ST3/4 and the Sprint, but it came down to how I felt on each, and glancing at my reflection in shop windows at the lights (I know, posey eh - surely I’m not the only one who does this?) the bike seems a good fit, and looks pretty good sans touring gear. Reckon I’ll keep it a while longer…
Where's that fucking spanner...
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Originally Posted by EJK
.....It was a really fun bike! Very light on throttle, clutch... very easy to ride. I'd be happy to own one but it would be a second bike for going out on day rides....or a race bike.... like said previously, you sit on top of the bike and and as a tourer not my first pic (I'll be sticking with my monster) not comfy till up in the loss of licence range, handled well, felt good going round corners... nice and smooth through the gears.... I'd love to have ridden it for a day, 1/2 hr just isn't quite long enough.
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