Torque & HP. What's it really mean?

[MrBig]

I'm looking at the 2010 Rocket III Tour. Trying to compare engine specs of a Rocket to an Suzuki M109R and Roadliner. Seems some HP is higher while other's torque is higher. What's more significant?

Also trying to get specs on the 2010 Rocket III Tour for Canada. I saw one at GP Bikes and it was loaded with extras i.e. chrome rails around the bags, fenders front and rear, etc. They said it was all included on the 2010 plus 2 backrests. Anyone know for sure?

Do you think the Roadster will come in colour (other than black) for 2011?

Cheers,

Steve

 

[Molinoman]

As far as the 2011 Roadster is concerned...that is anybodies guess. I know they wanted it to look "baaaaaad" but since black is a rather slow color, I wasn't that impressed with the color offerings for this year...which is why I am still looking at the R3T.

That R3T you saw is optioned out it does not come "standard" with all those accessories...you didn't mention a price so it's kind of hard to tell whether or not the dealer was offering a good deal or not.

As for the M109, was interested for awhile but discovered the Rocket, haven't even looked back. It has the same rear tire but too much fake (at least at the time in 06/07) chrome (ie: plastic). I have heard it will give the Rocket somewhat of a run but I believe in the torque department it doesn't even come close. I haven't looked at one lately to see if any noticeable changes have been made.

Dennis

Just arrived in Dubai an hour or so ago...now at the hotel.
Tomorrow Kandahar

The time home was way tooooooo short.

 

[RocketDaryl]

Torque and HP numbers are all well and good, but it's usable torque that is important. In other words, what does the bike do in the low to mid range (where you spend most of your time). In that area, the Rocket is unmatched. That said, there are any number of bikes that perform fine from that perspective, including the bikes you're looking at (M109 and Roadliner). Again, however, neither of those is going to match the Rocket in the torque department.

 

[dougl]

Wayne (Tuneboy) started custom tuning a 2010 Roadster. He questioned Triumph's claims for HP and TQ. Triumph provides tunes which can limit power in the lower (or higher) gears considerably by closing down the secondary throttle plates, so your peak torque depends on this. So, while you might get full peak torque in 4th and 5th, you won't in 1st-3rd. The peak torque on Rockets is between about 2500 and 3000 rpm. So, assuming you've dealt with the secondaries, you're going to get wild acceleration if you're cruising in this rpm range and open the throttle.

Peak HP is over 6000 rpm but your ability to accelerate quickly depends on torque.

 

[IMFASTTOO]

Lots of ccs

Torque and HP numbers are all well and good, but it's usable torque that is important. In other words, what does the bike do in the low to mid range (where you spend most of your time). In that area, the Rocket is unmatched. That said, there are any number of bikes that perform fine from that perspective, including the bikes you're looking at (M109 and Roadliner). Again, however, neither of those is going to match the Rocket in the torque department.

YEP no replacement for displacement

 

[wayon]

Hi, having owned a M109 and clocked up over 15000km on it, then went to a Harley Roadking , more comfort and quality and a far better 2up tourer, our opinion!!! We were enjoying the King, but I suffer from inability to keep outer the local bike shopsTriumph just happend to have a demo day We took R3t out, WOW Mid range get up an go "THE BEST" thats where the torque comes in , followed by brakes /handling /fun factor ,a far better 2up bike for us brought one asap and got a great deal No regrets.
Cheers Wayne.

 

[MrBig]

Rocket at GP Bikes $18K and something.

When I asked at GP Bikes if the bike came that way they said it did. Said all the additional items came at the same price as last years. I guess I won't know until I'm ready to buy and they're ready to sell.

Do you think there's a chance the Tour will come with ABS?

 

[KingOfFleece]

If you want to stay factory the Triumph TOR pipes and tune add approx. 17 hp and several foot pounds of torque to the R3T. They also sound, IMO, much better than stock without being too loud. As for the other bikes you mention, a 3 banger like the R3T is so smooth. A guy from the AMA rode a R3T 9000+ miles around the US and wrote that he never was on a better bike. The new issue of RoadBike has a feature story on that bike written by a knowledgeable writer. You may want to serch that out.

Having put several 100 miles on a R3T I was very impressed by how well it handles-you'll be VERY suprised at how easy it is to hustle that bike around at a very quick pace and still be in total control.

The engine, though, is what makes the bike special. You are ALWAYS able to make the pass, and if you cover any miles at all you'll know just how important that is. Stuck behind semi-trucks for dozens of miles can ruin a trip real fast.

 

[IMFASTTOO]

M 109r

I'm looking at the 2010 Rocket III Tour. Trying to compare engine specs of a Rocket to an Suzuki M109R and Roadliner. Seems some HP is higher while other's torque is higher. What's more significant?

Also trying to get specs on the 2010 Rocket III Tour for Canada. I saw one at GP Bikes and it was loaded with extras i.e. chrome rails around the bags, fenders front and rear, etc. They said it was all included on the 2010 plus 2 backrests. Anyone know for sure?

Do you think the Roadster will come in colour (other than black) for 2011?

Cheers,

Steve

THE M109r will outrun the ROADLINER we race one and have hit 10.90@124mph with just a PIPE and air intake and PC made 130hp and 130trq a very strong V twin

 

[TriumPhil]

Those are impressive #s on the Zook. I've ridden several but wasn't nuts about the rider/bike connection. My VTXes felt stronger (even though they certainly were not) and they transmitted a better feel for the road than the M109R, which is a much more progressively styled bike, IMO. Guess that's why they make chocolate and vanilla.