IN THE motorcycle engine capacity stakes not much can take on the Triumph Rocket III.

With 2300cc in the three engine pots giving the rider no end of torque, you could almost see the bike making do with three gears, not five. And with only a few minor changes in wheel size and suspension, the Touring is a much better road bike than the Rocket III Roadster it was based on in the first place.

Origins
Based on the Rocket III which was first released back on 2004, the Touring finally came to Aussie showrooms for the 2008 model year. During that time the bike hasn't changed much. It still has the monster inline three cylinder engine which has around 105 horsepower and 203Nm of torque available to the rider. No, the 203Nm isn't a miss print. I suppose with car like engine capacity you would expect car like torque figures. But when it's in a machine weighing lots less than your average four cylinder shopping trolley, you can be assured this bike hauls arse from idle. I was never a fan of the Rocket III if truth be told, It didn't like to corner and was extremely uncomfortable.

I can understand why people like them though, but it just wasn't my cup of tea. It's a personal thing. But I do remember following a then Triumph employee – who shall remain nameless – who was doing things on a Rocket III which defied belief. Yes they can be ridden very hard indeed.

When you compare the two Rocket III models there's not a lot of parts which are shared between the two bikes. Of course the engine is, but the Touring has a different frame and swingarm, the styling is different, and also the wheels and suspension. When I attended the Rocket III Touring launch back in 2008 I found the bike a revelation. With a smaller back wheel/tyre combo (240/50-16 down to a 180/70-16) and longer travel suspension it went around corners with ease, handled bumps unlike any other cruiser I had ridden at that time, and was comfortable. In my mind Triumph did a fantastic job on the Touring.

Current model
A basic overview of the mechanical package shows you get the big 2.3 litre engine, five speed gearbox and shaft drive. Suspension offers no adjustment, except for five pre-load levels on the twin rear shocks. Two decent sized brake rotors and Nissin four-piston calipers are at the front, and a twin-piston Brembo caliper does the rear, and ABS comes standard on Australian delivered bikes. It tips the scales at a non insubstantial 395 kilos, and tank capacity is 22.3 litres.

It's a handsome motorcycle, with huge twin mufflers low slung at the rear, colour matched hard panniers standard, quick release screen standard, and spring mounted footboards rather than ’pegs. The pillion gets footboards too. Gauges sit in a tank mounted binnacle and are a mix of analogue and digital. All the info you need sits there.

The ride
Make no mistake, the Touring is a big sucker and can be a handful manoeuvring around the driveway or car park. Because the centre of gravity is quite low much of this disappears when you are underway though. Out on the open road those used to riding large machines will barely notice the nearly 400 kilo weight. Even though the bike looks a lot like a cruiser it didn't give my back the same hard time I usually get with other cruisers. I think this comes down to a combination of seat shape and height, footboard positioning and the pulled back handlebars. Whatever, I find it a pretty comfy mile eater. The pillion gets a nice perch too, with the seat wide and well shaped. This thing has got some grunt too.

No matter what gear at whatever revs, when you open the throttle the bike lifts its skirts and just spears into the distance. No fuss, no noticeable step in power, just bang, you're there. It's a very neutral handler too, tipping in nicely, much easier than you would expect a bike of this size to. It can be ridden quite fast, even in tight corners. Both front and rear brakes can be used to great effect, allowing you to squat the bike into the tar, throw it onto its side and then use the grunt of the engine to punch you out of the corner.

If you'd rather use the bike for touring, it does a great job of that as well. The screen height might not suit everyone but that can be changed, and with the standard waterproof panniers and accessory rear rack and bag if you need them you have have a bike more than capable of taking decent amounts of luggage and heading out for a lap of Australia.

The last word
If you write this bike of as only a cruiser with panniers you will be doing it an injustice. The Rocket III Touring is a well developed package which will handle much more than just a trip to the milk bar. At $23,990 + ORC ($1000 more than the Roadster) it's well priced in its market sector, and the engines are built to do ridiculous miles.

RIDING GEAR: Zeus helmet, Triumph jacket, Draggin Jeans, Razor boots.