By NastyNils· ·
Motorcycle comparison · Cruiser vs Tourer
Triumph Rocket III (MY2004) vs Honda Gold Wing F6C (GL1800C Valkyrie)
Triumph Rocket III vs Honda Gold Wing F6C: which one to buy once you're past the looks.
Creeping off a stoplight, the Triumph Rocket III's weight won't forgive sloppy feet or a lazy hand. The Honda Gold Wing F6C's flat-six growls and rolls away.
So which one do you buy?
The Rocket III has the edge if…
Sporty riding on twisty roads
Small edge: Rocket III
Once the road starts to bend, the Rocket III noses ahead. Your own skill counts for more than a gap this size.
The Gold Wing F6C has the edge if…
Keeping running costs low
Inches ahead: Gold Wing F6C
On running costs, the Gold Wing F6C edges it. Not by enough to bank on.
What makes each one tick
Rocket III
From barely above idle, the Rocket III's triple heaves out torque that never seems to run dry. It's already at its 147 lb-ft (199 Nm) peak by 2,500 rpm.
Gold Wing F6C
Once it's past walking pace, the Gold Wing F6C stops feeling massive and turns playful. At corner entry, its aluminum frame keeps the mass low, and the front tips in and doesn't push back. It holds its arc. The six keeps pulling clean in every gear.
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The Rocket III makes more peak power: 140 hp (104 kW) vs 116 hp (85 kW).
- The Rocket III makes more peak torque: 147 lb-ft (199 Nm) vs 125 lb-ft (170 Nm).
- The Rocket III has the larger engine: 2294 cc vs 1832 cc.
Which one for the way you ride
Daily commuting & city riding
No verdict: Gold Wing F6C
There's no daily-ride verdict for the Gold Wing F6C. Getting to work isn't its job.
Comfortable long-distance riding
Both miss here
Long-haul comfort is a weak spot for both. If you tour, shop with that in mind.
For character, you won't find daylight between them. Let the test ride settle it.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
Rocket III
What owners say
Trade-offs
- Excessive weight hampers low-speed agility
Gold Wing F6C
What owners say
Strengths
- Smooth, torque‑rich flat‑six engine
- Legendary reliability and low maintenance
- Surprisingly agile handling for its size
- Unique and highly distinctive styling
- Strong, well‑balanced brakes
Trade-offs
- Naked styling leaves rider exposed
- No cruise control or touring amenities
- Heavy low‑speed weight and difficult manoeuvring
- Limited tire and accessory choices
- Stock seat uncomfortable for long rides
Known problems to check before you buy
Rocket III
- Final drive oil seal leak and potential lockup (recall) Recall 05V004000 Early production bikes up to 2005 suffered from an improperly installed oil seal in the final drive unit, causing oil leakage. If undetected, the unit could run dry and seize, locking the rear wheel. Addressed under NHTSA recall 05V-004.
- Engine stalling when returning to idle (recall) Recall 07V455000 Affected 2004-2007 bikes may stall while returning to idle due to incorrect fuel-injection mapping. Covered by NHTSA recall 07V455000; dealers reflash the ECU free of charge.
Gold Wing F6C
No confirmed faults on file yet. That's not the same as fault-free.
What they share
- Cooling
- Liquid-cooled
- Gearbox
- 5-speed
- Final drive
- Shaft
- Fork
- Telescopic
Where the spec sheets split
| Rocket III | Gold Wing F6C | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 29.1 in (740 mm) | 28.8 in (732 mm) |
| Rocket III | Gold Wing F6C | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 2294 cc | 1832 cc |
| Engine | Inline-three | Flat-six (boxer) |
| Power | 140 hp (104 kW) | 116 hp (85 kW) |
| Peak power at | 5,750 rpm | 5,500 rpm |
| Torque | 147 lb-ft (199 Nm) | 125 lb-ft (170 Nm) |
| Peak torque at | 2,500 rpm | 4,000 rpm |
| Rocket III | Gold Wing F6C | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel economy | 36 mpg (US) / 6.6 L/100 km | 42 mpg (US) / 5.65 L/100 km |
| Fuel capacity | 6.6 US gal (25 L) | 6.1 US gal (23.2 L) |
| Rocket III | Gold Wing F6C | |
|---|---|---|
| Front tire | 150/80-17 | 130/60-19 |
| Rear tire | 240/50-16 | 180/55-17 |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| Rocket III | Gold Wing F6C | |
|---|---|---|
| ABS | Not offered | Standard |
| Heated Grips | Option | Not offered |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
