Triumph Rocket 3 Comparison | Which One, GT or R?

Welcome along guys, well we're at Destination Triumph in Washington to do a little bit of a revisit video really. I borrowed the Rocket 3 GT back in January, absolutely loved it. The GT is the one with the forward facing foot pegs, it's a capacity to take luggage etc, but I never tried the R version. So today we're taking both these bikes out for the day, a bit of a trip down to the seaside to see which ones we prefer, but it's not just me doing this, it's a bit of a dual test with Greg. So this is going to be very interesting, I can't wait to get back on these bikes again. Roll the intro chopsy. All right you got everything? Yep. So I'll start on the GT, because what I know, you've ridden the GT before Greg haven't you? You've tried the GT, none of us have tried the R, so if you go on the R first, I'll go on the GT, just to reacquaint ourselves with them. But these bikes are monsters, two and a half litre, triple, incredible. What are they, 140 newton metres of torque or something? They're more than that aren't they? 140 newton metres, that's pittance. Right, oh yeah, oh wow, yeah I love this position. I love that position, oh yeah this is so comfortable, so comfortable, oh it's lovely isn't it? It's absolutely, initial impression straight out of the gate, a ridiculous riding position compared to anything that I ride normally. It's so smooth isn't it? It's so smooth, the power delivery is just, well it's nothing like it is there really, so instant. It's instant, it's almost got that super duke punch isn't it? Yeah definitely, it's super dukey but smoother. I do like the GT seat, where you're in, you're moulded into the seat. Is that, what's that, does it feel a bit more, what does it feel like the position on that? This actually, to be honest with you, surprisingly, is quite a stretch to the bars. So you're reaching forward, you're sort of hung over the front a little bit, this is super comfortable, absolutely super comfortable. I'm interested to try that one because I think if I'm going to get a big cruiser, it almost feels like I've got to go the whole hog, well not the hog, but the whole position and everything you know. The whole hog would be Harley surely? That's what I mean. It's got some punch. It certainly has. I just feel like I could ride this all day and it's probably just as well because that's all I'm going to be doing. Tell you what I like already, we're only doing like 65, 60 and it feels really enjoyable, if you know what I mean, without the need to go absolute banzai, even though if you just give it a bit of a tug on the throttle, it's instant pull. It just brings a grin to your face doesn't it? Come through, let's have a look at you, come alongside. I'll come through. Let's have a look at the R. That looks good. Oh this is so much fun. Oh it's a bit weird on the side of the car. It's a bit weird leaning it over when you've got your feet forward, that takes a little bit of getting used to doesn't it? Oh my god, it's so good. Yeah it feels a bit odd handling but it doesn't feel bad and it's suspension is plush but quite firm and I don't mean that in terms of uncomfortable, it's nice actually. It's sporty isn't it? It's sporty but plush isn't it? Which is a perfect combination for me. You wouldn't want it to be any softer because I think it would feel barge like. I think it was speeding up a bit then. The traction control was keeping it in check then. It's like riding an armchair. An armchair with handles. It's just finding those feet positions when you pull away when you're not used to it. Yeah that's right. Soon you get used to it though. Yeah you do, absolutely. It's amazing how quickly you do get used to it. That's the thing with it, you think you're going to really struggle but it does feel natural like that. Yeah. Maybe I'm just a born again cruiser man. But if you were into the cruising scene, how you could not buy one of these and get a Harley, I don't get it. Because having ridden a few Harleys over the years, and there's nothing wrong with Harleys, I don't want to criticise any Harley rider, but they feel very very old school. The handlings, well there is no handling, you know and the headstocks are a little bit loose. You can feel it sort of rattling around a little bit. They're just an acquired taste. This is just cruiser on steroids, smooth, quick and you can just have more fun on it in my view. You've had, you've actually owned a Victory as well didn't you? A Victory Cruiser. Victory Hammer S. Yeah probably, but quite a while ago now, probably about 10 years ago and that was at the time quite a long way ahead than the Harleys to ride. It was actually quite sporty in relative terms for a cruiser. This is sort of like, yeah this is like the next leap again and some I would say. But I think we've found the bike haven't we when we get a little bit older? Oh absolutely, a little bit older I'm thinking next year. If I had the room and the money, there would be one of these in the garage. Yeah I think so. The time I've spent with this bike already and just riding this initially now, absolutely. Yeah I think it'd be one of those things that in 10 years time when the Eurocrats get their way, things like these may be a thing of the past and it's just amazing two and a half thousand cc of muscle. I think it's 220 newton meters of torque, 220 and I think 170 brake horsepower, so it's almost the same power as the Super Duke but with another 50 newton meters of torque or something. Admittedly it's another 80 kilos heavier but you can't fault the engine at all can you? The fueling, the power delivery, the vibration, it's so smooth. You'd think a two and a half litre triple, the size of those pistons, it must be like Dulux paintings literally going unbound and you really can't feel it can you? No. It is so smooth you just cannot fault that engine at all. I agree but you couldn't not like it because it's so well balanced and sorted, it's incredible. I'm going to start thinking about some of the bad bits in a minute because otherwise it's going to sound like it's biking perfection. It's like how much to try and paint these guys. I know exactly, no it's not that. My criticisms at the moment on the looks are for the R model in my opinion they need to do nicer, lairier colours. I think the GT paint job looks really nice with that sticker kit, I presume it's stickers and it looks nice. I think I prefer the rear wheel of that one as well where it looks a bit more machined than this one. Yeah I forgot the wheels are different, you're right. Yeah so I think the GT looks better from a paint job point of view but I'm sure when you buy you know next year 2021 they might bring out new colours, they'll always have a black and I think the black looks good. I think that is a bit of a criticism of Triumph in general across the whole range really. I think you're right John, they're modern bikes, the paint job other than that GT they're a bit ---- aren't they? This is a life today, it's not too shabby is it? Not too shabby. There's a bridge here I think it's a tight and twisty to test these big old girls on. If they can handle this well then you can't handle anything can't they? You're out of seat then. They do actually handle amazingly well don't they? Well the GT does honestly this is... You could well use some sports bikes on it I think. Yeah definitely. But you don't get masses of feedback from the road, you get a bit don't you? Yeah. But it is a cruiser after all, you're not going to want too much feedback. I think they've got the level of feedback pretty much spot on because the size of those front tyres is so massive and you still can feel what the tyre mat's doing can't you? Yeah. I suspect yours is probably maybe even a little bit more feedback than on this. I just love that pull out of the bends. Well I've got to say John, that road is pretty twisty, that you know that's a good supermoto road to put it into perspective isn't it? You know I don't know how many people buy these bikes that ride quickly anyway but the point is you can. You can yeah, you can and you can do it and it is rewarding to do it. You don't feel like you're fighting it do you? No not at all. You don't feel like you're pushing it out of its comfort zone? No. There's the odd little time where I've hit a bump and it's got it a little over that little jump there. Yeah yeah. When that sort of came down it was a little bit like. Mine shimmied when it came down then. Yeah yeah it didn't like that. No. But you know I don't think you're really meant to be doing jumps on them anyway. But a normal road rider you know it loves it doesn't it? It feels like it loves it, it doesn't feel like you're pushing it out of its comfort zone it feels like it's absolutely lapping it up. It's like hustling a titanic. You feel so low on it don't you? Yeah. When you go on the bend it's like. It does just fall into the bends doesn't it? You don't really, I don't really think I'm having to counter steer it too much either. It's actually really engaging because you have to, you have to wrestle it a bit so you've got to really think about what you're doing. It's amazing that it can do those sorts of roads and be fun. I mean that that is the ultimate test really because I know we've said before if a bike doesn't handle, I'm not interested, you know what I mean, a bike has to handle, I don't care what it is. Oh yeah I'm not in the slightest bit bored and actually you don't feel like you're going slowly, well you're not going slowly, but because you have to wrestle it a little bit it's actually quite engaging isn't it? There he is look, Mr Chopsy Chops. Ah very good, suits you sir. Yeah I could, I could be tempted. You could ride to Scotland on one of these, you could go to the Isle of Man, you could go to Europe, you know, I think this notion that you need massive weather protection I don't get because, you know, provided you stick to no more than sort of 70-75 this is absolutely fine, easy, you know, keeps the speed down so you're not getting nicked the whole time, you can get past the traffic, what more do you want? And even on that one you get saddlebags don't you John? No that's just my arse mate. Well first little sum up of the GT, I love it, I can't see how the R can be any better. Well you'll find out in a minute. What's your verdict on the R then? Yes I really, really like it, I think I can't see how I'd want to go for that one but yeah, who knows, let's have a look. What do you think looks wise? I think the R does look better doesn't it without the rear pillion grab? Yeah I think so, there's not a lot in it though is there, to be honest with you, I don't think that my decision will be based on the looks because there's not a lot of differences there and I think the paint job of that one is nicer, yeah, and I prefer the rear wheel personally and the front wheel with the chrome rim. I'm going on the R now, I'm really interested to see what this is like, I thought the seat was different but the seat is a still got that nice sculpted C isn't it? I think that's going to be looking forward to this, how does that feel? I'm sure it'll feel fine but at the moment it feels weird, foreign. Only thing there, the kickstand, the footrests are right over the way the kickstand is. Yeah they are, I agree. Yeah it feels weird doesn't it, this just feels really weird after riding that. This feels like I've literally, I've got home already and I'm sat in the armchair in the lounge. It's weird riding the same bike isn't it, but it's so different. This is, that is a lot more of a stretch to the bars John, don't you think? Yeah you're way up right on this and you're forward, the bars are wide, the bars feel wider as well don't they? I get this is more sporty, this is definitely more, this is definitely more sporty. Yeah it's very similar isn't it? Yeah. I've almost forgotten already that you're in a different position on this one, it's much higher, I think you're going to be much more levering into the corners with this, that we're using those wide bars. It's more conventional that one isn't it? Yes it feels more natural doesn't it, you just get on it and it just feels like a big bruising, naked almost. I think it's better from a sporty perspective in the twisties this, I can tell already, you can give it that leverage. I think so, the bars are wider aren't they? I'm not convinced that what they are is, it's not uncomfortable but it's not, it's not a totally natural riding position I don't think, it's sort of, it's neither one thing nor the other, this is completely cruiser isn't it? And you know, and it is what it is and you either like that or you don't like it but it is definitely just cruiser, that is a bit odd. Yeah. Because your feet are still a little bit forward on that aren't they? I don't know. They are a bit, it's definitely wider, you're right upright aren't you, you're completely upright on this, whereas that you're sort of laid back aren't you? Yeah. I think that is a more comfortable position than this, I think my arse will struggle on this with it getting sore with the weight on it. I don't know though because the seat does cup you quite nicely doesn't it? It cups your buttocks. Oh, so much go. I've got to say though, they are both really good fun aren't they? I mean it's just good, it just really is good fun and they're so quick. So quick aren't they? They're like electric aren't they, they're so performance wise. It's so hard to just choose, if I was buying one of these I'd be really torn as to which one to get. I think that the, I may be completely wrong, I think the GT will sell more than the R, so when it comes to resale I think the GT may be a better bet. Yeah you could be right, it's a bit more practical isn't it with the. I think so. With the pillion rest and stuff as well. Yeah, I mean I don't know, I'd be interested to know from Triumph how many of each they've sold thus far. Coming through. I think to be honest with you, I prefer the R. Do you, you're feeling R aren't you? Yeah I think, I think I prefer it. I think it still feels relaxed but it's just a little bit more normal and therefore I find it a little bit easier to ride. Oh you can literally just pin it in first gear, you can just absolutely pin it and it just, it all stays in check and you just go. Can we see what's coming? It's all clear mate, apart from it's raining now. Oh there's a shower, there's a shower. Quickly might be able to outrun it on these. My feet are getting blown off the pegs. That's those flaring trousers you got on. This is what's good about this app you see, this takes you on these really cool little lanes. I know it's lush, exactly the sort of road you want to ride on isn't it? Jesus, the mirror's in the actual bushes. This is ridiculous. Power! Let's do a little blast up here, go on. From first gear before we start. Yeah, three, two, one, go. Yeehaw! They're so fast aren't they? It's quick. They're just so easy to ride like that aren't they, because it just does it all for you. Like when we were doing that drag race the other week, they were just both wheeling continuously weren't they? I know, there's no hint of a wheelie is there? Even if you want to. Do you want to have a little swap back again? Yeah, okay. That'd be a good way, a good test then wouldn't it? What's the verdict of the R then John? I don't know, it's so hard to tell. I think I need to get back on that again, and I think the first impressions when I get on that again will tell me what I prefer. But I think it's very, very close. I think, you know, that one offers a bit more comfort I think than this. Yeah, yeah. So I go straight over there John, yeah? Yeah, straight over there. And I think it all depends what you want from your cruiser doesn't it? Yeah. That's the thing, if you want ultimate comfort to do some distance on, but still sporty and everything, I'm still unsure. Well as you say, get on it and see what you think, I'll do the same. They just look incredible don't they? Especially a pair of them. Amazing. A pair of these out in the wild. You know, we've ridden so many bikes and owned so many bikes haven't we? You know, supermotos, naked, supernaked, sports bikes, and bizarrely they're as much fun as all of those. Yeah, yeah. And I'm really surprised. There's a little bit of everything in these isn't there? There's a little bit of supermoto a little bit, there's a sports bike, you know, it's a combination of a lot of different bikes. And I think unlike a traditional cruiser you can still hoon a little bit. And that's what would put me off a traditional cruiser. And I think the Diavel probably does fit into that category as well. I think the Diavel will handle better and it'll be quicker in terms of real quicker, not 0-60 because clearly these are ridiculous. But I much prefer the look of these to the Diavel. I'm not sure about the Diavel personally. They're a bit weird aren't they? It's a bit of an acquired taste. That's what, maybe that's the next test, one of these compared to a Diavel. Yeah. And so we're actually doing reviews of the bikes as part of the channel. Yeah. Where can I see this? Yeah. It's on... On YouTube. On YouTube? No, I'm not on YouTube. No, you're not. Right, back on the GT. This is a decider, this is the one, this is where I'm going to be putting my money. This is the decision. Which is better? I'm going to call it, I'm going to call it. Hang on, I've got to see if I can start the thing this time. There we go, there we go. Nail baby. Good morning future owner, it says. Good morning. Oh, I don't know mate, I think I prefer this. Well, I think John, that is fantastic because I prefer this. Do you? I do. No, I think it's good though, isn't it? Because it goes to show actually that both are good and it is just a personal preference over the riding position. Your knees are a lot more bent on this one, I've noticed straight away. Yeah, this for me is a lot more comfortable. Yeah, I feel the same way about this one. But the question is, and maybe it's one for later, would you actually buy one? I know where I'm at already, I would. I really honestly would love to own this R version, I love it. And I think it is, other than the fact that you can't hustle it in the same way as a Super Duke, I think other than that, and obviously on a private land runway, because I've never done on public roads because that's highly illegal, you can't wheelie one of these like the Super Duke. I think other than that, which some would argue is a big thing, this is as good as the Super Duke in the sense that you've got that instant grunt, I feel cool on it, and I really do mean that. I would happily own one of these, I'd love to own one. Yeah, I do agree. And it fulfils a lot of roles, doesn't it, from a bike ownership perspective, and I think it could be your only bike. Oh no, I agree. Yeah, you wouldn't think, well, I've got a Cruiser, I've got a sports bike, you could own, I know it's a lot of money, but I think... If you only have one bike, you could justify it, I think. I think you could justify it, because look at the little roads we're going on here, do you know what I mean? We're on this little lane, it's great fun on there, the handle, the suspension's plush, we're not getting whacked about, or you can sit on the motorway and it will sit and cruise. No, no, I agree. And actually, now that we've been riding it for a few hours, you know, you start to really bond with it and it feels a lot more normal. I love it, I love the fact that you can just, as you say, meander along effortlessly, if I could speak, and then you want to roll, you know, get past a car or whatever, and it just blasts you, doesn't it, out. It's so cool. Gravel and greasy. B-E-A, beautiful. Time to give it a handful. Oh, I think I know where we are, this is the big Cadmium roundabout underneath the M27, yeah? I always wondered where that was, if you went straight on there. We know this bends, don't we? The out. Who needs a sports bike? Well, Lindhurst is our destination, ladies and gentlemen, then we're going to go to Weymouth, then we pulled it back to Limmington. No, we pulled it back to Lindhurst. No, we're Lindhurst. It's half one now, we've been riding since half nine. We don't know what time it is, do we? I think I can see it now, it's half one, those clocks are an hour out. And I'm completely comfortable on this, normally I'd be getting bloody sore arse. I do find this GT position really comfortable. Not really getting any heat off the engine, to speak of, are you either? No. Which is quite amazing, and the exhaust is literally right there on your right leg. I can feel a little bit of heat, but... Yeah, a little bit, but it's not at all irritating. This is Lindhurst. There's a little garage up here we'll stop at, get a bite to eat. Make a good shot in front of the Ferraris and Bentleys and stuff. Lovely. Well, we've had a bit of lunch, we've left... Where was it we went? Lindhurst. Lindhurst, I don't think I remember the L. We've left Lindhurst, had a panini, stopped for a wee, and now we're heading back to Washington. So we're basically done. We've thoroughly enjoyed ourselves with these bikes, haven't we? My fuel light's just come on. Fortunately, we didn't reset the trip, so that was a bit silly. So I don't know how many miles we've done, but it seems that we've been riding all day. It wasn't an oversight though, in fairness, was it? It was a lack of ability to actually set the trip. It was, to actually work out how to do it, wasn't it? Yeah. We thought we'd been 1,351 miles and then realised that was the time. I've got 30 miles range still. You've got 50 miles, haven't you? 50 mile range. 46 of range now. So that's a bit weird because it should be the same, pretty much. And we've been swapping bikes, so it's not like you've been riding harder. Yeah, I think this gauge didn't quite register. I filled it right up. No. For whatever reason. But anyway, we'll fill them up now and then we'll see how much fuel we've used. As we didn't record the mileage, it's not particularly useful. No, I think it's fair to say, mine's saying it's done 37 and a half mile MPG. Yeah, mine's saying I'm 39 miles per gallon. Yeah, I think late 30s is probably, feels about right, doesn't it? In terms of the distance that we've done. Yeah, I agree. Which is pretty acceptable, I think, for something so... For a two and a half litre engine. Yeah, exactly. My overarching comment would be don't let fuel consumption be a reason not to buy this bike. Yeah, I completely agree. Completely agree. I don't think it's any worse than any other sort of litre sports bike. It's that sort of fuel consumption level, isn't it? Maybe even less than a Tuono or something, or a V4 sports bike. I think so. And I think as well, I go back to the point that if you owned one, you wouldn't just keep cracking the throttle all the time in the same manner, because you wouldn't want to wreck the rear tyre. And I think you'd end up getting early 40s without any problems at all. Well, I think as we've gone on this ride, we've actually been cracking the throttle less and less, haven't we? Yes. We've actually just been enjoying just cruising around and enjoying the scenery a bit more and not just cracking it open all the time. Cracking one off constantly. And I think that's the beauty of this bike, isn't it? It's just, it can do both. It can do both. It takes a lot for me to want to buy a bike, actually. I think I'm annoyingly fussy. But I know I am, you know, because if it's got loads of... And I think at the end of the day, any bike that you're going to buy, forget gadgetry, electronics, it has to ride nicely. And if it's got annoyances, you just want to sell it, I think. Well, I certainly do. And, you know, if you've got an irritating gearbox or the clutch is heavy and your wrist starts hurting after a short while or it's got a snatchy throttle and you can't cure it, this has got none of those things. You know, you don't even think about it when you're riding it. It just feels natural and it's brilliant. And I would buy one. Simple as that. Yeah, I completely agree. And on that bombshell, that's it, guys. Thanks for watching. We're trying to do... If there's any comparison, if you've enjoyed this and there's any other comparison reviews you want to see, then let us know. But I thought the GT versus the R was really interesting. We're going to do the Speed Triple versus the Street Triple as a comparison, similar sort of style. So if there's anything else you can think of, let us know and we'll see if we can sort it out for you. But thanks for watching and we'll see you next time.