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Triumph Rocket III Having Engine Problems?

by Steve
Tuesday, January 17, 2006

Triumph Rocket IIII received a message from a reader named Duane, who said his son bought a Triumph Rocket III last Spring, and that it has been in the repair shop more times than it's been on the road.

He says it has a "phantom engine cutout problem".

He wants to know if any others have heard of this problem with the Rocket III.

Click on "Post a Comment" below if you do.

Labels:

56 Comments:

  • Mine has been perfect at 13,000.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 2/03/2006 11:18:00 AM  

  • I have had my Rocket for 2 days and it has cut out twice now.

    1st time I had a pillion and was lucky that we were slowing for traffic lights.

    2nd time was today, when it completely shut down and I shifted into 1st to get it to come back.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 2/12/2006 11:25:00 PM  

  • The only problem I have had is with backfire that kills the engine occasionally. It nearly lifts me off the seat!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 3/09/2006 06:59:00 AM  

  • No problems at all! That's a great bike.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 5/01/2006 01:54:00 PM  

  • 16k engine good trans squeels when shifting 1st to 2nd???

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 5/06/2006 06:50:00 PM  

  • I have 2 Rockets '05 & '06
    The '05 was running just fine and i was on 295 towards Delaware. All of a sudden it was as if the bike cut off. no power, nothing. I coasted to teh side of the road and had it towed. I was initially told that it was water in the gas, that it was fixed and i could come get it. So i took the train from DC to philly and on the way back with the bike, it did it again, in the exact same spot. I had it towed again and then was told it was the "regulator-rectifyer" came loose. they fixed it. I rode the bike from Philly to DC w/o incident. Also, had the computer reset on the bike to clear codes.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 5/11/2006 07:17:00 PM  

  • I have a 2005 Rocket (3200 miles). I also have had numerous problems. First problem was the excessive noise from the timing chain tensioner. I had that replaced, (Much better). Now I have a problem with stalling, the bike will not idol properly. First diagnosis was bad gas, then dealer recalibrated the fuel system. I am now taking it back once again! Very discouraging!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 6/07/2006 07:31:00 AM  

  • My Rocket has 1100 miles and has a knocking sound in the engine at 3500rpm and above. The dealer can't figure it out. Thinks valves need adjusted...At 1100 miles??? No cut out problems as of yet.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 8/02/2006 10:39:00 AM  

  • 2005 Rocket III 18k on it since Aug 05. In that time I have experienced... water pump leakage, surges in idling especially when in hot weather, and now the temperature warning lamp goes on despite oil and coolant levels being where they should be. I think they should have kept this model in the lab a few more months before suckering the public like this.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 8/28/2006 03:13:00 PM  

  • I have a 2005 Rocket with 7000 miles,
    It always runs good never a problem,
    once it cut out on me after I started
    from a light in 3rd gear by misstake.
    The engine lugged a little until I
    got to speed (RPMS) cars were right behind me. It cut out at the end of the block. I naturally assumed it was
    from my bad start. I almost always run the bike full and hard, Like I
    believe it was designed to run.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 9/11/2006 04:49:00 PM  

  • I have a 2005 Rocket with 7000 miles,
    It always runs good never a problem,
    once it cut out on me after I started
    from a light in 3rd gear by misstake.
    The engine lugged a little until I
    got to speed (RPMS) cars were right behind me. It cut out at the end of the block. I naturally assumed it was
    from my bad start. I almost always run the bike full and hard, Like I
    believe it was designed to run.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 9/11/2006 04:49:00 PM  

  • Had my 11/05 Rocket now 2 mths and 460 klm's it cuts out slowing down in 2nd gear. Bigger problem won't start after sitting for three days or more!! Told bad fuel but it's not that!!!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 9/21/2006 04:39:00 AM  

  • Mine refused to start whilst on a touring holiday in France. It had been running fine then just would not start in the morning. Gave the symptoms of a flat battery even though the lights were good and bright. Had to jumpp start it off a mates BMW. The bike ran fine again for the rest of the trip 1900miles all in. The bike stood for 2 weeks, started okay was running fine then refused to start when I went back to it. Again giving symptoms of a flat battery. I had the electrics checked the first time around and was told everything was working correctly?

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 11/01/2006 08:08:00 AM  

  • I have a 2005 Rocket that make a lot of top end raddling, like the valve cam is slapping. I think its the timing chain slapping the wall of the engine cover. This sounds like my old Isuzu engine timing chain problem. My bike has 1,100. miles on it, what's up with that??

    Greg,

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 11/27/2006 07:10:00 AM  

  • 2005 RKT 3
    broken clutch spring mounting post
    Leaking rad bottom corner
    all warrenty replaced

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 11/27/2006 08:42:00 AM  

  • Have an '05 with 8,000 miles that has been serviced properly and treated well. At 30mph it cut out and refused to start. The dealership just called to say the bottom sprocket had broken and lots of top end damage was done as the engine had continued to turn after the timing chain came off. 2 months out of warranty and looking at least like several thousand to repair. Said a new engine, if it was even available, would be the best way to go. Can't express the level of emotion this has caused.

    By Blogger Roland, at 11/29/2006 02:40:00 PM  

  • 04 RKT III 20 000 KMS
    rad leak bottom corner.
    clutch spring post broke at the bottom .All covered under warrenty.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 12/15/2006 11:58:00 AM  

  • 2006 model, 1500 miles, slow drip from top bolt on water pump, the bolt with the copper washer. why does this bolt have a copper washer?

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 12/26/2006 02:06:00 PM  

  • have had my 2006 rocket 3 for 6 months done 5000k the only trouble i have had is a slight oil leak from the rocker coever dealer fixed by adding an extra washer (to give more crush to the rubber gasket i was told) would have prefered to have seen a new gasket on it apart from that not a trouble in the world with it has never stalled starts first touch of the starter and runs great.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 1/06/2007 09:30:00 PM  

  • People have mentioned the engine shutting down on the Rockets. Has anyone had a correct diagnosis on why this is happening? My Rocket III has over 30,000 problem-free miles until a few weeks ago when it suddenly backfired and died. It won't start up again. Would appreciate if anyone has found a solution.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 2/09/2007 05:44:00 PM  

  • 2006 R3 started running rough after 1500 miles, was told bad gas, then it quit and wouldn't start. Dealer found the line from fuel pump to regulator came off because it wasn't crimped correctly at the factory.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 3/17/2007 12:40:00 AM  

  • 11,000 miles on the 2005 rocket iii and it was working just fine until this riding season after the winter. As long as I keep the engine rev'd up past 1000rpms, the bike runs fine. As soon as it gets below 1000 or typically when I stop at a red light or at a stop sign, the engine just dies. I was told this was bad fuel. I drained the tank, added fuel injector cleaner STP type and put in fresh gas 95 octane. Still having problems. There are no triumph dealerships nearby. I would love to know what the problem is before I spend any money towards someone troubleshooting this issue. Obviously it is a known problem.

    By Blogger theByrd, at 4/20/2007 11:48:00 AM  

  • To the above commenter (theByrd), sounds like you have a bad stator.

    By Blogger Steve, at 4/20/2007 03:07:00 PM  

  • After some serious searching on the net, I came across this other website forum for Rocket III or rocket 3 owners. This has a possible solution to the bad idle / bike stalling issue. It might be worth your time to check it out: http://www.r3owners.com/viewtopic.php?t=7111
    There are some really nice pictures of exactly where the adjustment needs to be made to fix most idle issues.

    By Blogger theByrd, at 5/01/2007 02:37:00 PM  

  • I have an 06 Rocket 3, have 2,0000kms on it, all broken in...and this thing does what I want, when I want it to..sounds great..still rushes adrenaline through the veins every time I twist the wrist, and no problems to date. Very happy with the purchases, except for eager passer-by's who want to ask question after question. What the hell is that thing?

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 6/23/2007 01:19:00 PM  

  • Ante fr Finland wrote:
    Driven 16.000 km with my R III; When 11.000 problems with idle motion (engine stops with low rotation while driving)- Dealer/Service changed the "black box" - proble disappered for while. Again 15.000 km but now no help with "black box" change or updates of engine run program.
    Who knows what to do or do I have to drive with FJR of the dealer?
    B.R Ante

    By Blogger AnteSpets, at 6/26/2007 06:20:00 AM  

  • 06 rocket III bought in sept 06. had the idle stall problem, fixed three times and still didn't idle. i fixed it myself with the yellow screw under the over flow bottle. perfect ever since. had a slight tick at 1000-2000 rpm. took it local dealer. they kept it 3 weeks( thats right...3 weeks) and adjusted valves and installed new timing chain and tensioner. gave it back with a sudden and horrible rattle at 3500-4000 rpm. "it's normal" they said. no way. wasn't like that when it went in and shouldn't be now. i loved my rocket but im gettin rid of as soon as possible. way too many issues.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 7/02/2007 08:12:00 AM  

  • Yes having same problem twice. Once 11000 km (solved by changing the stearing box)other times at 15.000 km problem not solved due to changing of idle step motor and updated many times running program (been waiting two months. Motor stops very often when trottle off and runs badly when rotation under 2000 rpm. When managed to run by idle rotation varies fr 500 to 1000 rpm. Dealers services has not managed to solve the broblem. I wonder what is the manufacturers guarantee with bike priced as all bikers know well???
    Ante fr Espoo FIN.

    By Blogger AnteSpets, at 7/23/2007 05:04:00 AM  

  • 05' rocket 111 has 20'000K on it and rain or shine that bike has never given me a problem.

    Off to Sturgis again and expect no less from her!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 7/26/2007 02:57:00 PM  

  • has anybody had problems with 1st gear engagemt. I was looking at buying one but the demo 07 mulbury colored r3 was a pig to put into gear in bumper to bumper traffic

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 8/12/2007 08:06:00 AM  

  • Alot of the problems you guys are having are to do with service bulliten 385 poor idle quality. This is easy fixed by any triumph dealer. Its a simple ajustment of the idle stepper motor.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 9/13/2007 10:01:00 PM  

  • ^My 06 rocket has a slight chatter that sounds like a bearing in the lower end. Goes away when warm. After reading the other comments I suspect that it may be timing tensioner. Will let you all know what I was told when I turn it in.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 10/08/2007 06:06:00 PM  

  • I have the last post and found out after repairign the exhuast leak that the noise is less, want me to pay for 10,000 miles service early to pay for adjusting lifters. I will let you all know after I pick up the bike.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 11/23/2007 09:07:00 AM  

  • i had the problem with my 2005 rocket 3 which i bought new not idling properly it ended up being the throttle body sensor which was replaced under warranty.also had the main output shaft bearing replaced under warranty thankgod otherwise this rocket would be worth more than gold.anyway done 20,000 km now and aint had any problems.i have put madaz exhaust and few other things done since then there is only one problem left now is to keep my license.

    By Anonymous thumpintrumpy, at 2/03/2008 09:34:00 PM  

  • I've had my 2006 Rocket III for 15 months and it's been in the shop for 3 month to date. Twice for transmission problems dealing with second gear. Now the thing misses and pops at 1500 RPM even in neutral!! If you get on it, it will go but when your rolling with the old folk it acts like it's going to die. The deal has had it this time from 1 month and counting but can't seem to figure it out. Suffering from buyers remorse!

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 4/17/2008 04:59:00 PM  

  • Hi All, Just purchased a 07 rocket iii, it's a big mother, but when driving into those turns, it corners better left than right, I havent gone back to the dealer yet but wanted to get some feedback from you guys out there, is this bike balanced or not? it seems heavier on the left hand side, some feedback would be appreciated!
    Oh and to the chap who had issues with trying to get it into first gear, I also seem to have this issue, but I will have the dealership look at this on next service.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 5/26/2008 05:27:00 AM  

  • 01 FLHTPI was an escort bike for Yonkers PD.(did a bunch of 9-ll funeral escorts) I now have 40k miles on the bike with 0 problems. Engine bumped to 96" 4 years ago. Never had a problem with the bike at all. Change oil regularly and have put put 3 sets of 880's on it. Have the air ride solo and a pillion for my old lady and we are in the wind. thanks

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 7/28/2008 04:45:00 PM  

  • I have a 2007 that I bought last August. Started riding a lil late this season and had a different type of problem w/ 2nd gear. It would pop out under excelleration. at first it was only about 10% of the time under pretty good trottle. But it worked up to about 90% of the time even easing on the throttle. I became affraid to ride it for fear I'd be hit or something else would break. My dealer's Tech said one other bike was doing it and he was fixing that guys bike. I called a week or so later and the "fix" did not work. re is researching it. In the mean time, one night I got the "itch" to ride and went for a lil ride to the video store(1.5 miles away) 300 yards away shifting to 2nd I heard a bad noise shifted towards 3rd, gone, 4th, gone. Taking bike to dealer today. A premier crusier with only 4200 miles should not do that!

    Anyone heard of this type of issue?

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 7/31/2008 08:20:00 AM  

  • Bought an o5' new and I've had nothing but problems ... oil leaks, heated grips, clock, and transmission issues. I was planning on getting rid of it right after the warranty expired. But the damn thing locked up on me. It now sits in the garage until Triumph pays up for the lemon they dumped on me. This bike's had more problems than Rosie's had donuts.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 8/01/2008 09:35:00 PM  

  • I hope by this everyone has had the Idle problem fixed, By the reprograming of the engine map. This was one of the recalls that was done.I have just helped out a mate with a ticking noise at the output shaft, the last bearing in the gearbox had let go. The bear didn't even have a brand name on it so it was of to the bearing shop. Got a upgraded bearing for half the price, It should last alot better or solve the problem all together. The motor has to come out to chang the bearing so have a few mates over to give you a hand(a bit tricky). Ihope this will help somone out there.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 8/27/2008 06:19:00 PM  

  • I was seriously thinking of buying one, you guys have scared the crap out of me. I have a stock 2002 Harley Road King, it's not fast, but it is super reliable. Who needs this grief?

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 9/01/2008 03:56:00 PM  

  • i have an 07 rocket this bike feels great but this bike is junk seat lock cable pops off,chrome peeling off plastic,wheels are not clear coated,speedo stoped woking for a while,reseal front master cyl 3 times before finally replacing for fluid leak occasanlly stalls on exhuast pop slowing to stop,3 recalls,engine bolt covers and triumph lables falling off engine and the best part with 300 miles heel toe shifter broke trying to shift into 2nd with traffic behind took back was told it is normal to grind and be hard to go into 2nd they fixed 500 miles it was not right they said it was, 1150 grinds into 2nd and bangs into full engagment unsafe almost wrecked on a turn they removed engine from bike replaced 1st gear and shift fork and other things bike was great for 200 miles smooth shift then started to act up again was told again nothing wrong so i rode it until it was not ridable anymore
    wont shift into 2nd under load, grinds and bangs several times after engagement
    so f@#$%ed up they cant tell me its normal take it back at 3200
    now they tell me triumph said we do have problem with 2nd on some bikes and there is a huge kit of updated trans parts that need to be installed to correct it so the engine must be removed and dissassembled again at 3200 miles bike has been in shop for 7 months fought with triumph for lemon law and they said there lawyers will fight it so i say f@#$ triumph i will never buy another bitish made piece of crap in my life and i hope they go bankrupt again

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 9/13/2008 06:03:00 PM  

  • Oh Boy, I loved this bike from first sight, being new to the Two Wheeled life it was something to aspire to. Wow how can Triumph let the same problems continualy arise and put there head in their hands. These sort of REAL LIFE experences must cost them hundreds of thousands in lost sales and totally rubbish 2nd hand prices. I'll stick with my Bony until they get their act togeather!

    By Anonymous donkane iom, at 10/11/2008 03:04:00 AM  

  • Bought a new '07 Rocket III in April '08. Runs great but won't shift into first without letting out on the clutch. Dealer mechanic called Triumph at 500 mile check-up. Was told to put a few thousand miles on it, trans not broken in yet. I don't buy it. Every other new bike shifts into first with no problem. Hope to resolve it before the warranty runs out.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 11/08/2008 03:02:00 PM  

  • For those having the engine cut out problem, call the dealer and ask about the recall.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 11/08/2008 03:05:00 PM  

  • Yes, welcome to Triumph engineering; you are getting exactly what you've paid for. I have lived with Triumphs all my life; Cubs, T110's, Tiger 90's, Tiger 100's, Bonnevilles and compared with BMW and the Japs the company doesn't have a clue where engineering design, materials and manufacturing quality is concerned. Reporting knocking, rattling and destroyed engines at under 5K miles supports my point. I tested a Rocket and wasn't surprised to find the same old clatter, rattles and clunks but I wasn't daft enough to buy one.
    Dr. Keith G. Ashness.

    By Anonymous Dr. Keith G. Ashness, at 4/07/2009 11:38:00 AM  

  • Not happy in El Paso I purchased a 2007 Triumph rocket III and was left stranded on the side of a busy road when the bike overheated and suddenly shut down. I had it towed and its been in the shop for a while and the mechanics don't know whats going on. No help from headquarters in located in georgia. Cant wait to get it off my hands. Should have gotten a Harley.

    By Blogger not happy with triumph, at 5/15/2009 03:04:00 PM  

  • I wasw seriously considering a Rocket 3, but after reading reviews, i can not. I am 4 hours from a dealer so a reliable bike will be purchased instead.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 6/06/2009 06:34:00 PM  

  • the rockets that are cutting off! most of the time its from water entering the key hole ignition if the bike gets wet and it messes with the electrical system spray some WD-40 in the key hole turn the key on & off 20 or so times and see what happens. taylor made choppers inc

    By Blogger Sean, at 8/09/2009 07:08:00 PM  

  • the rockets that are cutting off! most of the time its from water entering the key hole ignition if the bike gets wet and it messes with the electrical system spray some WD-40 in the key hole turn the key on & off 20 or so times and see what happens. taylor made choppers inc

    By Blogger Sean, at 8/17/2009 07:40:00 PM  

  • I bought my Rocket 11 weeks ago it has 1450 miles on the clock. I was initially very pleased with it. However since I took out the cat & changed the pipes Iit pops & bangs when I close down then last weekend the clutch shaft broke in half when I pulled up at traffic lights. I am now awaiting RAC to collect it & return it to the dealer. Other than that a fantastic machine (so far).

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 9/07/2009 10:53:00 AM  

  • Had an '07, no problems until I parked it under a Montero on the highway. I now have an '08 with 2200 miles on it, no issues so far. I know a few other people with RIII's, none have mentioned any significant issues.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 9/13/2009 09:17:00 PM  

  • I've got a 2008 Rocket 3 with 8500 kms on the clock. No probs yet but the engine cut out on me for no reason today. Either it's shit in the fuel or something really annoying. The Triumph dealer is on notice. I recommend putting dealers on notice if the bike is still in the warranty period.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 9/16/2009 01:59:00 AM  

  • My rocket started shutting off when in 1st gear and breaking, or idle, and would occationally backfire. I thought it was bad gas and pumped out and replaced but prob still there. Tool it in and dealer said fuel pump was bad. It should be pumping at 3 bars pressure and it was only at 1. Let dealer replace it and filter for $450 but you can buy pump on ebay for $140 and do it yourself. Its in the tank with the rest of the assy and easy to get to.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 9/18/2009 12:13:00 PM  

  • I have 05 Rocket 111. 40,000 miles. Periodically after a long ride or the weather is hot my RPM's will stay at a higher range between 1000 and 2000. I can pull over, turn off ignition for 5 or 10 minutes, usually when restarting, everything goes back to normal. Any help out there? I've had it to 2 different dealers, hooked up to anaylsis computer, checked throttle, cables etc. No help.

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 9/26/2009 10:21:00 AM  

  • ROCKET 111 AN EXPERIMENT IN TERROR--IF YOU BUY-- TO RIDE-- PARK THIS ONE BECAUSE-OUT ON THE ROAD ITS HEAVY AND BRITISH-JUST LAYS THERE-WONT DO ANYTHING--REAL BIKES ARE SORTED BETTER ON PROVING GROUNDS-AND HAVE MOST OF COMPLAINTS SORTED-THIS ONES JUST PUSHED OUT THE DOOR AND-- WELL --GOOD LUCK ---SUCKER

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 10/30/2009 08:53:00 AM  

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