World's biggest factory bike engine

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SnoBrdr
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World's biggest factory bike engine

#1

Post by SnoBrdr »

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Sidecar Bob
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Re: World's biggest factory bike engine

#2

Post by Sidecar Bob »

That's not really news. At 2294 cc, the Rocket III has had the largest displacement engine built specifically for use in a motorcycle since its introduction in 2004; The new 2500 cc is only 9% bigger...
Mr. Honda ('83 GL1100/Dnepr) summer How a motorcycle evolves thread
The Famous Eccles ('84 CX650EI/VeloUral) winter Never Ending Build (CX500forum)
Click: Colour schematics for all GL1000 & GL1100 and GL1200 standard models plus instructions on how to download the full size version
"A guy with two sidecars can't be all bad." - Cookie
Another guy with two sidecars..... Hmmmm... must be something to that....
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desertrefugee
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Re: World's biggest factory bike engine

#3

Post by desertrefugee »

Yep. Yawn. And probably one of the ugliest engines ever to be hung on a motorcycle. Would be perfectly at home on a tractor, however. Which is fitting, since it has tractor-like torque.
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Sidecar Bob
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Re: World's biggest factory bike engine

#4

Post by Sidecar Bob »

Personally, I like the look of the engine but I liked the original Triumph Rocket III's styling better.
Mr. Honda ('83 GL1100/Dnepr) summer How a motorcycle evolves thread
The Famous Eccles ('84 CX650EI/VeloUral) winter Never Ending Build (CX500forum)
Click: Colour schematics for all GL1000 & GL1100 and GL1200 standard models plus instructions on how to download the full size version
"A guy with two sidecars can't be all bad." - Cookie
Another guy with two sidecars..... Hmmmm... must be something to that....
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Lucien Harpress
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Re: World's biggest factory bike engine

#5

Post by Lucien Harpress »

Hm. Interesting.

If you draw a line vertically through where the front of the seat and the rear of the gas tank come together, anything forward of that actually looks really, really good (don't mind the look of the motor, personally. There are uglier engines out there).

Anything to the rear of that line, however? Absolute trash. It's pretty much everything I hate about modern motorcycle design.
1997 Valkyrie- Light Cutomization, but Too Busy Riding
1980 KZ1300- Bike's Haunted
1976 GL1000 (Yellow)- It Runs (Poorly) and Doesn't Leak (Mostly)
1974 Velosolex 3800- Better Than Walking
1972 CB750- Broke the Chain And Ate the Motor
1969 CT90- The Most Fun You Can Have on 90ccs.
1965 CA77 Dream- Needs a Full Teardown, but Complete

All advice I give is only valid until an expert corrects me.
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Re: World's biggest factory bike engine

#6

Post by twooldwings »

it does look like they glued 2 different bikes together, doesn't it ?
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Re: World's biggest factory bike engine

#7

Post by Old Fogey »

twooldwings wrote:it does look like they glued 2 different bikes together, doesn't it ?
That made me look again....and it sure does!
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Re: World's biggest factory bike engine

#8

Post by Gowing »

Boy, triumph, really has and has had, a great selection of motorcycles. We have a dealer in town and I always wonder how they are doing. It’s nice to another manufacturer hanging in there.
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Re: World's biggest factory bike engine

#9

Post by Oldmopars »

My question is WHY? A 650cc Sport bike will go faster than anyone ever needs to go, and I'm talking Deep into the triple digits. At 2500cc, it seems like the only reason to buy it is if you are really compensating for something. It looks like it would not be comfortable, it would be heavy, just nothing about it appeals to me.
There are a ton of go fast bikes that will out run, out handle, out perform and look way better doing it. And I bet it carries a large price tag too.
No thanks.
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Sidecar Bob
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Re: World's biggest factory bike engine

#10

Post by Sidecar Bob »

I'd bet that a cross wind wouldn't blow the Rocket around as much as it would any of those 650s...

BTW: Your comments remind me of the "who needs a bike that big" comments I heard about the 1200 GoldWing when it was introduced... And again when the GL1500 was introduced... And yet again when the GL1800 was introduced...
Last edited by Sidecar Bob on Tue May 14, 2019 8:23 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Mr. Honda ('83 GL1100/Dnepr) summer How a motorcycle evolves thread
The Famous Eccles ('84 CX650EI/VeloUral) winter Never Ending Build (CX500forum)
Click: Colour schematics for all GL1000 & GL1100 and GL1200 standard models plus instructions on how to download the full size version
"A guy with two sidecars can't be all bad." - Cookie
Another guy with two sidecars..... Hmmmm... must be something to that....
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Lucien Harpress
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Re: World's biggest factory bike engine

#11

Post by Lucien Harpress »

Same reason I own a KZ1300- there's something a little bit mental in owning a motorcycle period. Why ride a dangerous open machine with no safety devices when you could get from point A to B in the safety of a car?

It's all about personal preference, really.
1997 Valkyrie- Light Cutomization, but Too Busy Riding
1980 KZ1300- Bike's Haunted
1976 GL1000 (Yellow)- It Runs (Poorly) and Doesn't Leak (Mostly)
1974 Velosolex 3800- Better Than Walking
1972 CB750- Broke the Chain And Ate the Motor
1969 CT90- The Most Fun You Can Have on 90ccs.
1965 CA77 Dream- Needs a Full Teardown, but Complete

All advice I give is only valid until an expert corrects me.
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Old Fogey
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Re: World's biggest factory bike engine

#12

Post by Old Fogey »

I think the original Factory build video of the first R3 explained the thinking behind it very well.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T2QFxoDHU9o
And just in case you really think they can't go, stop and handle............
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rla9KU0m808
"Impossible Is Just a Level of Difficulty!..."
If I'd wanted you to understand, I would have explained it better! (Johann Cruyff)
I’d give my right arm to be ambidextrous! :-D
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Sidecar Bob
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Re: World's biggest factory bike engine

#13

Post by Sidecar Bob »

900 years :lol: :lol: :lol:
Mr. Honda ('83 GL1100/Dnepr) summer How a motorcycle evolves thread
The Famous Eccles ('84 CX650EI/VeloUral) winter Never Ending Build (CX500forum)
Click: Colour schematics for all GL1000 & GL1100 and GL1200 standard models plus instructions on how to download the full size version
"A guy with two sidecars can't be all bad." - Cookie
Another guy with two sidecars..... Hmmmm... must be something to that....
Oldmopars
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Re: World's biggest factory bike engine

#14

Post by Oldmopars »

Sidecar Bob wrote:I'd bet that a cross wind wouldn't blow the Rocket around as much as it would any of those 650s...

BTW: Your comments remind me of the "who needs a bike that big" comments I heard about the 1200 GoldWing when it was introduced... And again when the GL1500 was introduced... And yet again when the GL1800 was introduced...
I guess I am getting old and practical. I am not against big engines and more power. My naked 1200 is down right scary and my GL1500 is big and fast for a sofa. I had a BMW K1200LT that I could set the cruise at 125MPH if I wanted.
I guess I am missing the reason for the bike other than to say "Mine is bigger than your"
I know a guy that has the Triumph 2300cc triple Rocket cruiser bike. He likes it, but has to run it dark side to keep tires on it. He is also a VERY large man and I think he likes the power to move his heavy mass down the road.
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Sidecar Bob
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Re: World's biggest factory bike engine

#15

Post by Sidecar Bob »

Personally, my tastes tend to run like yours. I rarely felt like my 'Wing was underpowered or small with the 1000 engine and I only changed to an 1100 for the lower gear ratio (see New Engine thread in my signature for full explanation). And my winter machine is now a 500 (yes, it does feel cross winds more than the GW, even with sidecars on both, but the smaller bike is a lot easier to push out of snowbanks :-D)

But that doesn't mean that something bigger isn't actually better for some people like your large friend. I knew a fellow that had the same problem; I'm 5'10 and I looked him straight in the adam's apple and he had a hard time finding a bike that fit. At one time he tried a Ural and the handlebars hit his knees when he tried steering it. I heard he was considering a Boss Hoss at one time but maybe a Rocket would have fit better.
Mr. Honda ('83 GL1100/Dnepr) summer How a motorcycle evolves thread
The Famous Eccles ('84 CX650EI/VeloUral) winter Never Ending Build (CX500forum)
Click: Colour schematics for all GL1000 & GL1100 and GL1200 standard models plus instructions on how to download the full size version
"A guy with two sidecars can't be all bad." - Cookie
Another guy with two sidecars..... Hmmmm... must be something to that....
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