What Is The Most Difficult Triumph Motorcycle To Ride? Here's What Riders Say

Triumph is a renowned British motorcycle company that was founded in 1902 in Coventry, England. The U.K.-based bike maker is known for having a catalogue of some of the best adventure, cruiser, and roadster motorcycles on the planet. Some of its popular offerings include the Triumph Bonneville Bobber and Rocket 3 — bikes that can be quite challenging to ride, especially for beginners. 

That's not to say that Triumph doesn't offer beginner-friendly motorycles. But like any competitive vehicle manufacturer, some models are developed with experienced owners in mind, and might have a bit of a learning curve for new riders. Among Triumph's lineup, enthusiasts often consider the Rocket 3 the most difficult to ride.

The Rocket 3 is a power cruiser motorcycle that features a 2,458 cc in-line three engine, which also doubles up as the world's largest production motorcycle engine. This engine delivers massive amounts of horsepower and torque, rated at 179.5 hp at 7,000 RPM and 166 lb-ft of torque at 4,000 RPM. The Triumph Rocket 3 is by no means your average cruiser, and as such, can be a little intimidating to ride, especially at low speeds and in tight corners. 

Generally, Triumph motorcycles are designed for every bike lover who enjoys touring. However, the Triumph Rocket 3 is a different animal. For starters, its sheer size and intimidating engine displacement give a subtle description of which rider profile it's best suited for. Someone with several years of experience riding and handling big motorcycles. Experience can mean a lot of things, but to tame this overbearing power cruiser, a rider needs to have confident throttle control, balance, and braking precision. Due to the bike's immense weight and power, good throttle control is ideal for smooth acceleration, preventing jerky movement that could affect balance. Additionally, accurate braking ensures controlled stops, preventing skidding or worse – loss of control.

You'll fit in perfectly with this Triumph motorcycle if you have previous experience with beefier cruisers like the Ducati Diavel or Harley-Davidson V-Rod. Like most bikes in its class, the Triumph Rocket 3 demands taller or stronger riders since it features a wide frame, long wheelbase, and a wet weight of over 650 lbs. Due to its low seat seating position, managing this bike at lower speeds or when at a stop demands sound footing and physical strength. This is not a motorcycle for city commutes or short 10-minute rides. It's a tourer designed for long highway cruises and road trips. 

There are many positive reviews about the Triumph Rocket 3 online, particularly on motorcycle forums. Still, most issues related to riding stem from its size and power. According to an owner on a popular motorcycle forum, the Triumph Rocket 3 has way too much power for daily riding or performing traffic maneuvers like lane-splitting. It also has a huge turning radius, which can be a little frustrating for inexperienced riders, especially when trying to get out of sticky situations.

Experienced riders on a Triumph forum have also advised against taking up the Triumph Rocket 3 as a beginner bike. "A big, heavy, and fairly powerful bike like a Rocket 3 is definitely not a good bike to learn on," a rider revealed. According to the experienced rider, a beginner wouldn't pick up any meaningful riding skills starting on a hefty bike like this.

Perhaps the biggest hurdle with bikes like the Triumph Rocket 3 is mastering how to handle its sheer weight, while also being experienced enough to regulate its vast reserves of power. Based on many comments online from seasoned riders, the Triumph Rocket 3 has a steep learning curve and is best for riders with experience behind powerful cruisers of the same weight class.