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Knievel tribute bike? Triumph jumps to it!
29 November 2024
Knievel tribute bike? Triumph jumps to it!
First, Elvis left the building on a Bonneville, now Evel Knievel is jumping to it on a Rocket Three.
Paul Browne takes a leap into Triumph’s new bike roster to check out the company’s latest tribute machine and discovers its quite a beast.
While I always associated the legend that was Evel Knievel with the Harley-Davidson brand, he did like his Triumphs.
Now, hot on the heels of the Elvis Bonneville special, the lads and lassies in Hinkley are releasing a pair of limited edition Rocket Three machines to celebrate the fact that the great entertainer started out on the British brand.
There will only be 500 made in total.
He actually performed some of his most iconic jumps on a Bonneville T120, including his 40-bone-breaking Caesar’s Palace stunt in ’62.
Knievel also deployed a winged T120 to promote his 1974 Grand Canyon jump aboard the steam-powered Skycycle. It’s the 50th anniversary of this astonishing if doomed event that provided the spark for the new limited edition machine.
Storm coming
This monster has a two-and-a-half-litre (2,458cc) engine that produces 180bhp and a staggering 225Nm of torque, all of which are delivered to the rear wheel via a shaft drive.
There are two model derivatives to choose from; The ‘Storm’ and the ‘GT’.
The former is the base model and the latter the tourer, there for those who want to go touring on a bike with the largest capacity engine on the market. It’s important to note that the Rocket isn’t just a muscle bike, it’s made to look good and handle properly.
To this end it has a set of Showa suspension on both the front and rear, where the wheel is an impressive 240/50 R16 affair.
The aluminium frame is complemented by a single sided swingarm.
Stopping is facilitated by a full Brembo system that even includes cornering ABS.
Low slinger
While it weighs in at a hefty 317kg – that engine isn’t light – the low seat, sitting at only 773mm, makes it an easy machine for anyone to ride.
The GT is the same spec, but dressed with a taller screen and a back rest for the passenger. If I was a passenger on one I’d want a back rest behind me!
Everyone who takes ownership of one of these limited edition beasts will also receive a soon-to-be-a-collectable book, for which Triumph commissioned Evel Knievel Stuart Barker.
Telling the remarkable story of the world’s first global bike stunt star, just 500 individual numbered books will roll off the presses, in line with the bike’s production run.
Copies will also be signed by the elusive Triumph boss, Nick Bloor.
Jump suit
Both of these specials are finished to a very high standard which includes the stars and stripes graphic, inspired by the great man’s iconic suit. The gold-embroidered seats with their Evel Knievel logo are a very nice touch too.
Everywhere, it’s all about the man who was arguably the world’s best – or at the very least the most entertaining – jump rider, including the branded TFT display start up screen and the black and gold cam cover plate which is laser-etched with the Evel Knievel logo.
For more details contact Dublin Triumph.
