2023 Triumph rocket 3 r chrome edition | 57 miles | VIN SMTG11JX3PTBH5607 | $18500 plus tax, doc & licensing

Triumph has led the charge on many fronts; from classic standard motorcycles (of the gorgeous British Twin ilk), to triples-galore, with incredible torque, mid-range, and a top end scream that rivals any modern motorcycle. It continues to push the boundaries with this massive transversely mounted Triple. Triumph unleashed a beast of a motorcycle on the world with the Rocket III when the first iteration was unveiled, at 2300cc, the largest production engine of any bike out there. True to its name, an engine of the Rocket was placed in what can only be described as a Rocket (Streamliner), to run the Bonneville Salt Flats (2 of these massive engines actually). Triumph pushed the boundaries further when the Rocket was redefined and redesigned, more as a roadster than a cruiser, drawing inspiration from its sportier line of motorcycles in 2019. At the same time as the new 2500cc redesigned Rocket had launched, Triumph set out to supply all of the spec engines for Moto2 - a brilliant time for any motorcycle enthusiast, watching the British bikes at the edges of performance, whether on road or track. The new Rocket, spec’d as either an R (the one to get in my opinion, however best when matched with the GT bars, they’re interchangeable) or the GT (nice forward controls and a relaxed position) now handled like a bike half of its size, but with twice or more of its engine. The beauty of the Rocket in my opinion, is the culmination of all that it is composed of - a massive engine, sharp responsive chassis, phenomenal brakes and suspension, and a proper premium electronics package. On most bikes, I endeavor to shut off all of the electronics straight away - put it in sport mode, kill the traction control, and turn off the ABS. (Skids and wheelies, here we come!). However, the first time I rode the new Rocket, I chose to not play with my own fate, and leave things as they were, although I made sure Sport mode was set. I took off down the road, and the first thing I noticed was how smooth the engine was, and how light and crisp the transmission responded. I was also lucky in that the first Rocket R I rode had the quickshifter fitted, so clutchless upshifts slammed me into a new universe with every shift as soon as the rear tire got a little heat into it. Around corners, the Rocket is responsive and agile. With the quickshifter, coming out of a corner and cracking open the throttle means you have an opportunity to experience the symphony of electronics playing together, in time with the sweet 2500cc rocket beneath you. The chassis holds tight, and lets you toss the bike into the corner, though light enough that you can dance around and pick your exit - and as you wind up the throttle the massive 240 rear tire drives you to the edge of your line, eager to break loose on the pavement, only to be perfectly metered by the traction control. Gone are the days of traction control stubbornly killing ignition and causing you to slam your jewels into the tank and conk your head forward like an uninitiated passenger. The TC perfectly maintains your intended trajectory, giving you a superhero moment on a bike that really shouldn’t exist. And if you cook it too hot into your next corner, grabbing a handful of front brake while jamming down the rear just means the ABS will understand your poor conductive instruction and the symphony continues - and the Rocket behaves just as it should. It’s a bike that has an absolutely menacing presence just sitting on its stand, though when fired up and revved up will blow the doors off of just about everything else. It’s not a bike for everybody, but it's a Rocket for somebody.

This 2023 R is a limited Chrome Edition, with insanely low miles and is hungry for the next owner to take it to the open road where it belongs.