One of our all-time favourite cafe racers is Mecatwin’s stunning Triumph 800 Racer. The French workshop specializes in Triumph and Harley customs, and has recently released the Rocketeer, a custom version of the Rocket III. The Rocket is already somewhat extreme, having a 2.3-liter inline triple, so Mecatwin has wisely left the 140 bhp engine alone. Instead, it’s cleaned up and blacked-out the visual elements, and upgraded ancillary components such as the exhaust system. It’s enough to transform the bloated cruiser into a more hardcore machine with a tiny hint of the rat bike aesthetic—less Electra Glide and more V-Rod, if you like. We’d never ride one of these in a million years, but it’s still an interesting machine to contemplate.
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15 Comments
“Wouldn’t ride one in a million years”, why? Too much power?
one headlight would have been better. I can’t help but be reminded of the cartoon that had talking motorcycles when i see the dual lights on anything but a Speed Triple.
I’d totally ride that
That is one awesome bike. Now the Triumph has the aggressive style to go with all that power.
Frankie va être content_et nous pour lui_even if we do not understand that thing from mecatwin_he better do more 800 racers’_thanks BE
Oh, I’d ride it. In a heartbeat.
Ride it? Hell YEAH! Buy it? No way!
It weighs around 700 lbs. And for the kind of riding I do, in the hills north of Sydney, a giant 2.3-liter lump would be a liability rather than an asset. For the wide open highways of the USA or continental Europe, I’d take it.
Just an ugly bike even after custom paint, crappy lookin’ welded seam fuel tank, and that motor looks like it belongs in a diesel truck, fraid’ the mark was missed with this one, Triumph should not cater to the “cruiser” crowd, just not their scene!
“Triumph should not cater to the “cruiser” crowd, just not their scene!”
Disagree there.
The 2010 Triumph Thunderbird has just been voted best cruiser. (http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/photos/2010models/2010-Triumph-Thunderbird.htm)
And I happen to think they have a very good range of cruisers.
Please remember, this bike here is a customized version. Not made by triumph at all. the french got hold of it. So if you don’t like it, don’t blame it on triumph.
ok, i blame you!
Triumph has always had more than an eye on the US market. So their rocket 3 should be looked at from that angle.
I’ve the daddy of this rocket, a Triumph Trident. Although with its 750cc and 60bhp it’s more like its little brother. But i wouldn’t ever trade.
It looks heaps better than any Vrod or Vmax.
I don’t understand the “We wouldn’t ride one of these in a million years” comment. I’ve been wanting to take one of those for a ride since Triumph came out with it. And I really like that one.
Ride it, and buy it, BOTH !!!!!!!! What else is there that’s even 1/2 this cool? MT-01? Anything HD ? V MAX? Even a custom V twin, or Chopper ? I don’t think so, pure Muscle !!!! And Brit as well, yay !!!
I would totally ride that machine ! It possess that “evil countenance”. And there’s even a hint of steampunk, hell yeah I’d ride it.