Rare Rockets – Triumph Rocket 3 R

Triumph has just released a slew of limited edition Gold Line Bonneville models and follows that up with the exclusive Rocket 3 R Black and Rocket 3 GT Triple Black for 2021.

Only 1000 examples will be minted, each with a certificate of authenticity.

The Brit describes these as ‘meaner, moodier’ versions of the Rocket 3 R and GT, rather like the Bobber Black with stealthy colour schemes and premium finishes.

Mechanically they are the same as the conventional Rocket 3, packing the biggest production engine in the business, a 2500cc triple outputting 123kW, and a stupefying 221Nm of torque. They come standard with fully adjustable Showa suspension, and Brembo Stylema brakes.

The Rocket 3 R Black features an all-black colour scheme, with matt finishes on the fuel tank and body panels. Highlighting the bike’s fuel tank are bespoke black Triumph badges, and a gloss black racing stripe running alongside the aluminium strap.

The Rocket 3 GT colour scheme is more overt, with a special fuel tank design that features a distinctive three-shade black paint scheme.

Both models come fitted with a special carbon fibre front mudguard, which is not available in the official Triumph accessory line.

They also get black exhaust headers, heat shields, and end caps. A powder-coated intake cover completes the blacked-out engine style. Up front, black mudguard mounts are used, along with black painted headlight bezels, and fly screen finishers, radiator cowls, and badging.

There are also numerous black anodised components, including fork lowers, yokes, risers, and handlebar clamps, rider footrests, brake and gear pedals, right down to brake and clutch levers, and black anodised bar-end mirrors.

In the UK, these models are priced at premium of one thousand pounds over the regular Rockets which would put them pretty much at the $NZ40k mark here.

Lest we forget there are two other special edition models from Triumph, the first based on the firm’s best selling modern classic, the Street Twin, this one called the EC1 Edition. A Matt Aluminium Silver and Matt Silver Ice fuel tank is finished with a hand-painted silver coach lining, side panels and new EC1 graphic. The special finish adds the equivalent of six hundred squid to the bottom line.

And finally, the Thruxton RS Ton Up. It is so named because it was the first production bike to achieve a 100mph lap on the Isle of Man TT in 1969. This special edition comes with an Aegean Blue fuel tank and jet black knee pads, a Fusion White seat cowl with ‘100 Special Edition’ graphic and a hand-painted coach line. It adds the equivalent of £800 to the base price.