Triumph Rocket 3 R Black and Rocket 3 GT Triple Black unveiled
Triumph has taken the wraps off of the special editions of the Rocket 3 R and the Rocket 3 GT for 2021 and has christened it the Rocket 3 R Black and the Rocket 3 GT Triple Black. As the names suggest, the limited-edition bikes are completely blacked out versions of the standard variants aimed at making them look meaner, more menacing and bolder than before. The Rocket 3 Black and the Rocket 3 GT Triple Black will be limited to 1000 units each, worldwide and will be sold with a certificate of authenticity and a unique VIN number.
The bikes get bespoke black paint schemes with the Rocket 3 R Black getting an all-black colour scheme with a mix of matt and gloss, while the Rocket 3 GT Triple Black, as the name suggests, gets a three-shade black paint scheme. The Black and Triple Black prefixes in the title don’t just refer to the paint scheme, but also, all the blacked-out components that the limited editions get over the standard variants. The list is very long, so, a deep breath before we list out all the blacked-out bits on the bikes. Inhale- The entire engine on the bikes haven been finished in black and this includes the exhaust, exhaust headers, intake cover and heat shields. All this was on the engine front, then there are the blacked-out headlight bezels, radiator cowl, fly screen finishers, seat, the cast aluminum wheels, the handlebars and most everything connected to it including the clutch and brake levers and the bar end mirrors. The swingarm guards, side stand, rider and pillion foot pegs, the rider foot controls, and heel guards and the badging on the bikes are also, wait for it, blacked out. – exhale. So, summing things up the bikes are all-black so make sure you remember where you park your bike if it's dark, because you may not be able to see it. All, kidding aside, the Rocket 3 R Black and Rocket 3 GT Triple Black get the blacked-out treatment to enhance their menacing stance and they definitely look the part.
Mechanically and electronically, the bikes remain unchanged over the standard variants. So, they are powered by the same 2458cc, triple engine, which is the biggest displacement in a production motorcycle. And with big displacement comes big power. The Rocket 3s also boast of the most torque in a production bike, 221Nm’s of it from as low as 4000rpm. The engine is mated to a six-speed gearbox and power is sent to the rear wheel using a shaft. While peak power output is 165bhp 6000rpm. The Rocket 3s get a full-aluminum frame and a single-sided swingarm showcasing the massive 240-section rear tyre. Suspension duties are handled by 47mm compression and rebound adjustable Showa USD, upfront and a fully adjustable Showa piggyback monoshock at the rear. Both bikes get top-drawer Brembo Stylema calipers at the front biting on to 320mm discs and a single Brembo M4.32 four-pot caliper mounted on a 300mm disc at the rear. Now, that’s a lot of braking power, but it is needed considering the power on tap and the fact that the Rocket 3 R Black weighs in at 291kg (dry) and the Rocket 3 GT Triple Black tips the scales at 294kg (dry).
In terms of electronics, both bikes get a colour TFT instrument cluster. The bikes get cornering ABS and traction control courtesy of the IMU onboard. There are four riding modes to choose from – Road, Rain, Sport and a user programmable mode. Standard equipment on the bikes include hill hold control, cruise control, keyless ignition and steering lock and USB charging. The Rocket 3 GT Triple Black also gets heated grips as standard but you could opt for it as an optional extra on the Rocket 3 R Black as well. There are also a whole bunch of optional extras including a bi-directional quickshifter, GoPro control, turn-by-turn navigation, My Triumph connectivity system, phone and music control and a tyre pressure monitoring system.
As with all other Triumph Motorcycles, there is a whole range of bespoke accessories that you could get for your Rocket 3 R Black and Rocket 3 GT Triple Black to further personalise the bikes to your liking.
As aforementioned, the Triumph Rocket 3 R Black and the Rocket 3 GT Triple Black are limited to 1000 units each worldwide. So, if you are interested, go pester your local Triumph dealer to see if one can be allotted for you!
