Triumph launches Rocket 3, Tiger 900 and Thruxton 1200 RS from RM64K

By JAY WONG | 10 March 2020

PETALING JAYA: Triumph Motorcycles Malaysia has unleashed a bevy of motorcycles to spearhead the brand with three Rocket 3 variants, six Tiger 900 variants and the new Thruxton RS.

With a total of nine motorcycles on offer - with all bikes hailing from the brand's assembly plant in Thailand, the list starts with a trio of the English bike builder's heavyweight Rocket 3 cruiser.

The Rocket 3 is available in three variants such as the R, GT and a limited-edition Triumph Factory Custom (TFC).

The bikes are priced without road tax and insurance at RM130,900, 136,900 and RM180,000 respectively.

Unfortunately, those keen on the exclusive TFC variant will be disappointed with all 750 units for the world (including two for Malaysia) having already been sold.

Colour options include Korosi Red and Phantom Black for the 3 R while the 3 GT is offered in Phantom Black as well as a combination of Silver Ice and Storm Grey with Korosi Red pinstriping.

Rocket 3

The new Rocket 3 is powered by a 2.5-litre three-cylinder engine to earn itself the title of the world's largest production motorcycle engine.

Starting at 291kg (dry), the Rocket 3 has managed to shed 40kg and gained 11% more performance compared to the outgoing model or 71% more than its closest rival.

Power has been rated at 167PS at 6,000rpm and 221Nm of torque at 4,000rpm and is managed by a lightened and strengthened six-speed helical-cut manual gearbox.

For added comfort, the bike has been equipped with a new 'torque-assist' hydraulic clutch to help reduce hand fatigue while in heavy stop-go traffic.

Also included are a ride-by-wire throttle system, newly incorporated liquid cooling system, twin LED headlights and an angle-adjustable full-colour TFT instrument cluster.

There's also adjustable Showa front (47mm) forks and rear offset mono-shock suspension system, a single-sided swingarm, light-weight multispoke alloys, Brembo Stylema brake callipers, heated grips (standard 3 GT) and keyless ignition with steering lock function.

For added safety, the Rocket 3 comes with cornering anti-lock braking system (ABS), cornering traction control, an advanced inertial measurement unit (IMU), hill-hold control, cruise control and four riding modes of Road, Rain, Sport and Rider (customisable).

Other features include rider-adjustable ergonomics with the Rocket 3 R - being more of a roadster, allowing its rider two vertical mid-foot control positions of 0 or -15mm.

The Rocket 3 GT with more of a cruiser-feel provides a height-adjustable pillion backrest as well as three feet-forward horizontal positions of +25, 0 or -25mm.

The TFC variant is dressed up in a combination of twin 'carbon black and matte carbon black' paint scheme with brushed foil decals, gold accents and electroformed 3D Triumph badge

Its performance bumped up to 182PS at 7,000rpm and 225Nm of torque at 4,000rpm before getting fitted with lightweight titanium inlet valves, Arrow silencers and lightweight carbon fibre parts.

As standard, the TFC also receives the Triumph Shift Assist for a clutchless operation of the gearbox, tyre pressure monitoring system, USB port and an integrated GoPro Bluetooth control system.

Every new Rocket TFC owner receives a special tailor-made TFC handover pack dedicated to their bike with a numbered letter signed by Triumph CEO Nick Bloor, a personalised custom-built book, leather TFC-branded rucksack a Rocket 3 TFC indoor bike cover.

Tiger 900

Tiger 900

Also sharing the limelight were six variants of the Tiger 900 off-road and urban adventure motorcycle that's due to go on sale in April.

Choices for the urban and touring adventurer, the range starts with the standard Tiger 900 at RM63,900 before progressing to the GT or a 50mm lower GT Low Ride Height (RM74,900) and GT Pro (RM82,900).

For the avid off-roaders, there's the Rally (RM78,900) and Rally Pro variants (RM85,90) for choice.

For colours, the Tiger 900 comes in Pure White only while the urban and touring adventure range comes in Korosi Red, Sapphire Black and Pure White - all with premium tank badges and contemporary new decals.

Tiger 900 GT

As for the off-roading range, the Rally and Rally Pro variants comes in three colour choices of Matt Khaki, Sapphire Black and Pure White while featuring contemporary new decals and a distinctive white frame inspired by the "Tiger Tramontana" rally bike.

The 5kg-lightened Tiger 900 is touted to have been completely transformed while being powered by a more responsive 900cc three-cylinder engine that feeds from a massive 20-litre fuel tank.

The 900cc motor is now Euro 5 compliant with a unique 1,3,2 firing order to produce 95PS at 8,750rpm and 87Nm of torque at 7,250rpm. The bulk of the Tiger's power is said to reside predominantly in the engine's mid-range.

The new Tiger uses a new lightweight modular steel Trellis frame with a bolt-on aluminium rear sub-frame and bolt-on pillion hangers.

Although the top five Tiger 900s are fitted with either Marzocchi or Showa suspension systems, all models come with Brembo Stylema monobloc braking system.

As standard, the Tiger 900 features a 5.0-inch TFT screen, integrated My Triumph connectivity system, cornering ABS and traction control system that's managed by an IMU, shift assist, quick-shifter (up and down), full-LED lighting with daytime running lights and an under-seat mobile phone with USB port storage compartment.

From the GT variant onwards, these bikes get added with illuminated switches with a five-0way joystick, cruise control and heated grips while the GT-Pro and Rally Pro variants.

Exclusively for the range-topping GT Pro and Rally Pro both bikes receive heated seats (with separate pillion control) and tyre pressure monitoring system.

GT Pro features an electronically adjustable rear suspension, allowing the rider to adjust the rear's preload and damping settings via a dedicated menu in the larger 7.0-inch TFT instrument cluster that offers nine levels of damping control, ranging from Comfort (soft) to Sport (firm), and four preload set-ups.

Thruxton RS

As for the Thruxton RS (RM86,900), this range-topping 1,200cc cafe racer is now 6kg lighter than the R-variant that its supplants.

Colour Options include Jet Black or a combination of Matte Storm Grey and Matte Silver Ice.

This was achieved by refinements in engine components that include a low inertia crankshaft, clutch, balancer shafts, rare-earth alternator, magnesium cam cover, revised engine covers and a lighter weight battery.

Power now resides at 105PS at 7,500rpm and 112Nm at 4,850rpm thanks to the revisions in high-compression pistons, revised ports and cam profiles and the addition of a secondary air system.

These engine updates have helped to reduce inertia by up to 20% while allowing this Thruxton greater responsiveness and a higher rev-range that's upped by 500rpm over the R variant.

The Thruxton RS is provided with three riding modes of Sport, Road and Rain as well as a single-bullet seat setup, adjustable Showa upside-down big piston forks and an adjustable Ohlins piggy-back reservoir rear shock with Black RSU springs, among others.

"For the level of equipment and technology engineered into these motorcycles, the prices are truly unbelievable and we are able to make these products more accessible while providing the full commitment and support directly from the factory," said Fast Bikes CEO Datuk Razak Al Malique Hussain.