By NastyNils·
Motorcycle comparison · Cruiser
Triumph Thunderbird Storm (MY2011) vs Rocket III (MY2010)
Triumph Thunderbird Storm vs Rocket III: buy with your heart, but read this first.
At turn-in, the Triumph Thunderbird Storm's front drops in eagerly and it's talking back through the chassis. The Triumph Rocket III masks its heft and steers nimbly.
So which one do you buy?
The Thunderbird Storm has the edge if…
Keeping running costs low
Narrow edge: Thunderbird Storm
The Thunderbird Storm should be a little cheaper to keep on the road. It's a small gap.
Which one's the smarter buy
Depends what you want it for
The Thunderbird Storm costs less, but that gap doesn't make it the clear better buy. Neither bike wins on value alone.
What makes each one tick
Thunderbird Storm
Low in the rev range, the Thunderbird Storm's big twin shoves hard, and there's a deep exhaust note rumbling behind every roll-on. It leans into a bend willingly and doesn't wander off its line mid-corner. The pegs touch down early. The brake lever bites hard and keeps its feel.
Rocket III
From idle, the Rocket III's big triple hauls hard, then breaks into a howl as the revs climb. At 809 lb (367 kg), it's hard work at walking pace. Once it's rolling, the bar doesn't fight back and the bike holds steady through a bend. Bar, seat and pegs line up in a relaxed triangle.
The Voice of Experience
What actually separates them
- The Thunderbird Storm has the lower seat: 27.6 in (700 mm) vs 29.5 in (750 mm).
- The Thunderbird Storm has the lower wet weight: 747 lb (339 kg) vs 809 lb (367 kg).
- The Rocket III makes more peak power: 146 hp (109 kW) vs 97 hp (72 kW).
Which one for the way you ride
Daily commuting & city riding
Look elsewhere
Commuting isn't the strong suit of either bike. If it's your main use, that matters more than which of these wins.
Comfortable long-distance riding
Neither is a natural fit
Long days aren't what these two do best. Plan shorter legs and plenty of stops.
Sporty riding on twisty roads
Not built for this
If corners are your thing, keep looking. Neither one comes alive when the road gets tight.
On character, these two are a wash. That's where your budget and your inseam get the final say.
Who each one is built for
What's good, and what you'll live with
Thunderbird Storm
What owners say
Strengths
- Monstrous torque and smooth power delivery
- Surprisingly agile handling for a big cruiser
- Aggressive blacked-out styling
- Comfortable ergonomics for long days
Trade-offs
- Limited cornering clearance
- Missing modern amenities
- Stiff suspension transmits bumps harshly
Rocket III
What owners say
Strengths
- Surprisingly agile handling
- Comfortable, upright riding position
What they cost used
These prices compare a 15-year-old Thunderbird Storm with a 15-year-old Rocket III.
- Thunderbird Storm
- about $5,000
- Rocket III
- about $6,000
At 15 years old, the Thunderbird Storm sits around $5,000 while the Rocket III runs about $6,000. That's a $1,000 gap in the Thunderbird Storm's favor. These are US market estimates, not live listings.
What they share
- Cooling
- Liquid-cooled
Where the spec sheets split
| Thunderbird Storm | Rocket III | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat height | 27.6 in (700 mm) | 29.5 in (750 mm) |
| Wet weight | 747 lb (339 kg) | 809 lb (367 kg) |
| Thunderbird Storm | Rocket III | |
|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 1699 cc | 2294 cc |
| Engine | Parallel twin | Inline-three |
| Power | 97 hp (72 kW) | 146 hp (109 kW) |
| Torque | 115 lb-ft (156 Nm) | 163 lb-ft (221 Nm) |
| Thunderbird Storm | Rocket III | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel capacity | 5.8 US gal (22 L) | 6.3 US gal (24 L) |
| Thunderbird Storm | Rocket III | |
|---|---|---|
| Gearbox | 6-speed | 5-speed |
| Final drive | Belt | Shaft |
| Front tire | 120/70-19 | 150/80-17 |
| Rear tire | 200/50-17 | 240/50-16 |
What comes fitted, what costs extra
| Thunderbird Storm | Rocket III | |
|---|---|---|
| ABS | Option (from 2012) | Standard |
Head to head, area by area
Both bikes on the same scale, one area at a time.
