A Storm is Coming for the Triumph Rocket 3 R and GT
More powerful Rocket coming for 2025
Triumph’s been making moves lately with new small displacement models, first with a 660cc Triple platform used on the Trident, Tiger Sport 660, and more recently, a new Daytona. Triumph then went even smaller with a Speed 400 and Scrambler 400X, both powered by a 398cc Single. And let’s not forget its TF 250-X motocross bike that will lead to a whole range of off-road models. For its next new model, however, we expect Triumph to go bigger – much bigger – with a new Rocket 3 Storm.
New certification data published in Switzerland includes information on two new models, a Rocket 3 Storm GT and a Rocket 3 Storm R. The data confirms both models will be powered by a 2,458cc Triple, like the current production Rocket 3 models, but with the higher horsepower and torque figures claimed by the limited edition Rocket 3 TFC (or Triumph Factory Custom) that debuted in 2019.
The TFC version of the engine used lightweight titanium valves, allowing it to rev higher than the version used on the regular production models, so we expect the Storm models will do the same. The certification data lists an output of 179.6 hp at 7,000 rpm and 166.0 lb-ft. at 4,000 rpm, compared to 164.7 hp at 6,000 rpm and 163.0 lb-ft. at 4,000 rpm from the regular Rocket 3 R and GT models.
Otherwise, the data for the Storm models doesn’t differ significantly from the regular production models, leaving no indication of how they will differ from the existing models.
The name reminds us of Triumph’s last Storm model. Introduced in 2011, the Triumph Thunderbird Storm came standard with a big-bore upgrade over the regular T-Bird, bumping the Twin’s displacement from 1,597cc to 1,700cc. Apart from the performance upgrade, the differences were mainly cosmetic, with the Thunderbird Storm getting blacked out components and twin headlights. Unfortunately, this doesn’t help us here, as we know the Rocket 3 Storm models are getting a performance boost through other means, and it already has dual headlights. Triumph has also already offered Black edition Rocket 3s, so that doesn’t help us either.
We expect Triumph has something else up its sleeve for the Rocket 3 Storm models. Some cosmetic changes should be in store. The Swiss certification data typically doesn’t include any information on the suspension, so perhaps some upgrades are coming on that front.
There’s no clear timeline on when Triumph will officially confirm the Rocket 3 Storm R or Rocket 3 Storm GT. We do however, have additional homologation filings made in Australia that added two new vehicle identification numbers to the file for the Rocket 3, with model codes that match codes in the Swiss filings. The Australian VINs indicate a 2025 model year, so we don’t expect to find the new Storm models in showrooms until much later in the year.
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Dennis has been a part of the Motorcycle.com team since 2008, and through his tenure, has developed a firm grasp of industry trends, and a solid sense of what's to come. A bloodhound when it comes to tracking information on new motorcycles, if there's a new model on the horizon, you'll probably hear about it from him first.
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Thank you for offering your opinion, Brendan.
Have a nice day.
I have a 2021R3GT. Have you watched any of the "first ride" videos out there?. I've watched many and I don't think I've seen any in which the rider doesn't give out a reflexive laugh of amazement the first time he/she cranks on the throttle. Having that amount of power at your fingertips is enticing. Once you get used to it you stop being in awe and find situations in which the power is really appreciated. Used properly, it gets you out of and away from traffic effortlessly. When passing a big rig you can do so with great ease and confidence. Steep grades are irrelevent.
I've taken it on 2,000 mile trips going 500-plus miles a day in relative comfort, and that's being accomplished by an average early 70's rider. Although the tank only holds 4.5 gallons, I've been able to squeeze out 200 miles between fill-ups however, I'm more comfortable keeping the legs of my trips to about 180 since there is no reserve upon which to rely.
Overall, I have gotten great joy out of my 165 hp Rocket. Would I consider trading it in for an extra 15 hp and 3 ft lbs of torque? Absolutely not. However, if I were looking to buy my first Rocket, I'm sure I'd go for the Storm, knowing it would also likely be my last motorcycle purchase.