Triumph has taken the wraps off the Rocket 3 Storm duo, and in this spec, the bike is the most powerful it’s ever been.
- Gets blacked-out finishes all over
- New wheels are lighter, contribute to lower unsprung mass
- Available in three colours – black, red, blue
Triumph Rocket 3 Storm R, GT power, design, India launch
Powering the Rocket 3 Storm duo is the same liquid-cooled, 2,458cc, inline three-cylinder engine that now makes 182hp at 7,000rpm and 225Nm of torque at 4,000rpm. This is an increase of 15hp and 4Nm over the already potent ‘standard’ Rocket 3 range. And at 182hp, the Rocket 3 Storm makes more power than Triumph’s own Speed Triple 1200 RS and the Ducati Diavel V4.
The new 10-spoke cast aluminium wheels are claimed to be lighter (Triumph hasn’t revealed by how much though) than the ones found on the current bike. This reduction in unsprung mass should make the Rocket 3 Storm feel a little lighter on its feet. Tyres have also changed from Avon Cobras to Metzeler Cruisetec rubber, although the sizes stay the same at 150/80-R17 (front) and 240/50-R16 (rear).
With its 18-litre tank fully brimmed, the Rocket 3 Storm R weighs 317kg, while the GT is 3 kilos more. Thankfully, with twin Brembo Stylema calipers biting down upon large 320mm discs at the front and a radially-mounted (yes, you read that right!) Brembo M4.32 caliper clamping down upon a 300mm rear disc, the Rocket 3 Storm should come to a halt just as quickly as it gains speed. Seat height for the R is a very manageable 773mm, while the GT’s 750mm perch makes it even more accessible.
Features-wise the Storm is identical to the regular Rocket 3 and gets a TFT dash that controls all the riding aids on offer. These electronic aids include ABS & traction control (both supported by an IMU), four riding modes, hill hold control and cruise control. Heated grips, a bi-directional quickshifter, a tyre pressure monitoring system and a Bluetooth module for the dash are optional extras. Keyless ignition, all-LED lighting and a USB charging port are a part of the standard kit on the Rocket 3 Storm models.
Cosmetically, the Rocket 3 Storm differs from the standard version in that nearly every component has been blacked out. Even the three colours on offer – blue, red and black – cover only the top half or the bottom half of the tank, for the R and GT, respectively.
Interestingly, the Rocket 3 Storm models have been listed on Triumph’s Indian website at Rs 21.99 lakh and Rs 22.59 lakh, for the R and GT, respectively. This makes these more powerful versions Rs 2.09 lakh more expensive than the standard counterparts. Considering that the bikes have been listed on the Indian website and the fact that Triumph retails nearly its entire big bike portfolio here, these Storm versions should make their way to our shores soon enough.
All prices ex-showroom, India.
Azaman Chothia
Vishal Venugopal
