By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Cruiser
Triumph Rocket III (MY2004) vs Rocket 3 R Black (MY2021)
Triumph Rocket III vs Rocket 3 R Black: style matters. So does everything underneath.
You'll muscle the Triumph Rocket III through slow turns with a deliberate touch and your feet ready. Once it's rolling, the Triumph Rocket 3 R Black tips into a bend on precise steering. It holds its line through the corner without a fight.
So which one do you buy?
The Rocket 3 R Black has the edge if…
Sporty riding on twisty roads
A touch ahead: Rocket 3 R Black
Through a string of corners, the Rocket 3 R Black feels a little more eager. The reason: harder acceleration and better suspension. The gap is small, so ride both.
Daily commuting & city riding
Narrow edge: Rocket 3 R Black
On the way to work, the Rocket 3 R Black asks a little less of you. Credit friendlier manners. Close enough that the test ride should settle it.
Character, looks and sound
Slight edge: Rocket 3 R Black
The Rocket 3 R Black has a bit more presence and character. This one still comes down to taste.
Keeping running costs low
Small edge: Rocket 3 R Black
The Rocket 3 R Black should be a little cheaper to keep on the road. It's a small gap.
What makes each one tick
Rocket III
Just off idle, the Rocket III's triple already shoves hard, and that thrust doesn't seem to run out. Into a sweeper, the front end grips and the chassis doesn't wallow. Daytona-sourced brakes haul it down hard. That wide rear tire pulls every eye at the curb.
Rocket 3 R Black
At low revs, the Rocket 3 R Black's big triple stays docile, yet it gets ferocious when it's provoked. The brake lever runs sportbike-derived Brembo Stylema calipers, and they bite hard enough to rein in all that mass. There's no flex in the frame. Mid-mounted pegs and a wide bar keep you upright.
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The Rocket III has the lower seat: 29.1 in (740 mm) vs 30.4 in (773 mm).
- The Rocket 3 R Black makes more peak power: 165 hp (123 kW) vs 140 hp (104 kW).
- The Rocket 3 R Black makes more peak torque: 163 lb-ft (221 Nm) vs 147 lb-ft (199 Nm).
Which one for the way you ride
Comfortable long-distance riding
Both fall short
Long days aren't what these two do best. Plan shorter legs and plenty of stops.
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
Rocket 3 R Black
What owners say
Strengths
- Earth-shattering torque and power
- Surprisingly capable handling
- Stunning fit and finish
- Relaxed yet commanding riding position
Trade-offs
- Immense weight at low speeds
- Limited rear tire options
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.
Rocket 3 R Black
- Rear brake master cylinder recall (SRAN 611 / NHTSA 23V-730) Recall 23V730000 On some 2020-2024 Rocket 3 models (including R Black produced Feb-Apr 2021), the OEM rear brake master cylinder may not move sufficient fluid consistently over time, causing increased pedal travel. If undetected, this can increase stopping distance. Remedy: dealer replaces master cylinder with a larger unit.
- ABS modulator air ingress (SRAN 587 / NHTSA 20V-740) Recall 20V740000 On certain 2020-2021 Rocket 3 models, air could have entered the ABS modulator during production, potentially degrading rear brake efficiency over time. Affected units require a rear brake system bleed to resolve.
What they share
- Engine
- Inline-three
- Cooling
- Liquid-cooled
- Final drive
- Shaft
- Front brake
- 320 mm
- Front tire
- 150/80-17
- Rear tire
- 240/50-16
Where the spec sheets split
| Rocket III | Rocket 3 R Black | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 29.1 in (740 mm) | 30.4 in (773 mm) |
| Rocket III | Rocket 3 R Black | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 2294 cc | 2458 cc |
| Power | 140 hp (104 kW) | 165 hp (123 kW) |
| Peak power at | 5,750 rpm | 6,000 rpm |
| Torque | 147 lb-ft (199 Nm) | 163 lb-ft (221 Nm) |
| Peak torque at | 2,500 rpm | 4,000 rpm |
| Rocket III | Rocket 3 R Black | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel capacity | 6.6 US gal (25 L) | 4.8 US gal (18 L) |
| Rocket III | Rocket 3 R Black | |
|---|---|---|
| Gearbox | 5-speed | 6-speed |
| Fork | Telescopic | Upside-down (USD) |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| Rocket III | Rocket 3 R Black | |
|---|---|---|
| ABS | Not offered | Standard |
| Cruise Control | Not offered | Standard |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
