The (New) Biggest Motorcycle Engine You Can Buy

There are some things nobody needs in this world, and a motorcycle with a huge 2458-cc engine is one of them. That’s what powers the new Triumph Rocket 3 TFC (Triumph Factory Custom), which sets a new record for the largest engine in a production motorcycle.

• Engine: 2.5-liter inline-three
• MSRP: $29,000
• Available: December 2019

For context, Genesis makes a sports sedan, the 10Best Cars–winning G70, with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine—that’s 2000 cc of displacement. With a turbocharger, that car produces decent power for moving more than 3500 pounds of metal and leather and driver, with a zero-to-60-mph time of 6.6 seconds at our test track.
Triumph hasn’t stated the exact weight of the Rocket 3, but it will be lighter than its 800-pound predecessor. Whatever that number, paired with 163 lb-ft of torque, means involuntary burnouts on the 240-mm rear tire.

Actually, not always. Bikes this overpowered sound intimidating, but like modern supercars, electronics will intervene before catastrophe. The Rocket 3 TFC has multiple riding modes that can keep power in check when roads are wet, anti-lock brakes, and traction control, plus Brembo Stylemas brakes for stopping power. The new Rocket also gets all of Triumph’s modern electronics—a digital dash that syncs to your phone, GoPro connectivity, keyless ignition, LED headlights, cruise control, and a USB charging port.

The Rocket 3 TFC’s three-cylinder engine produces 163 lb-ft of torque. Triumph
Since the first Rocket 3 came out in 2004, this model has held the superlative of largest production motorcycle engine. Low-production custom bikes have gone bigger, but the Rocket has been the biggest you could go buy at a dealership. However, Triumph is only selling 750 examples (with 225 coming to North America) of the new Rocket 3 TFC.

Again, nobody really needs that.





CARandDRIVER