Triumph Thunderbird 1600 vs Triumph Rocket Iii Classic
Side-by-side comparison for used motorcycle buyers
Triumph Thunderbird 1600 vs Triumph Rocket Iii Classic. Triumph Thunderbird 1600: 86 hp @ 4,850 rpm hp, 358 kg (wet/curb weight) weight, top speed 185 km/h, Motoryk rating 7.5/10. Triumph Rocket Iii Classic: 146 hp @ 6,000 rpm hp, 367 kg (wet/curb weight) weight, top speed 193 km/h, Motoryk rating 8.5/10.
Performance at a Glance
Green = winner per metric · Bars are relative to the higher value
Triumph Thunderbird 1600
Triumph Rocket Iii Classic
Horsepower (hp)
86 hp
146 hp
Torque (Nm)
146 Nm
221 Nm
Top Speed (km/h)
185 km/h
193 km/h
Weight (kg) — lower is better
358 kg
367 kg
Type
Cruiser
Cruiser
Horsepower
86 hp @ 4,850 rpm
146 hp @ 6,000 rpm
Torque
146 Nm @ 2,750 rpm
221 Nm @ 2,750 rpm
Top Speed
185 km/h
193 km/h
Weight
358 kg (wet/curb weight)
367 kg (wet/curb weight)
Fuel
6.5 L/100km (approximately 15.4 km/L)
7.5 L/100km (approximately 13.3 km/L, estimated real-world average)
Fairing
No
No
Individual Reviews
Triumph Thunderbird 1600
7.5/10
"A credible Harley alternative that rewards buyers who do their homework."
Pros
+Massive low-rev torque
+Genuine British build quality
+Comfortable long-haul ergonomics
Cons
−Grabby wet clutch
−Notchy early gearboxes
−Valve service costs sting
Triumph Rocket Iii Classic
8.5/10
"The ultimate cruiser for riders who've outgrown everything else."
Pros
+Absolutely monstrous usable torque
+Buttery smooth triple character
+Rock-solid build quality
Cons
−Genuinely heavy, no debate
−Early fueling can be jerky
−Front brakes merely adequate
Top 10 Accessories
Picks that work on either bike.
