With class-leading power and agility, there's much to love about the Triumph Rocket. But a relatively low grade of fit and finish isn't one of them.
In a class such as this, declaring a winner can't be based solely on pure objective terms. Each bike makes a unique statement, so a rider's personality plays a key role when choosing the steed that fits best. And when it comes to throwing down at least $15K for a somewhat impractical motorcycle like those in this group, what matters most is how hard it tugs at your heartstrings.
Third Place - Triumph Rocket 3
It pains us to rank the quickest, most nimble and most powerful bike of the trio in last place. Objectively, and especially in performance terms, it just doesn't make sense. But in any category of cruiser, performance and objectivity are factors that rank lower among critical factors than in any other class of motorcycle. For those who cringe at such an assertion, consider that Harley-Davidson will sell more of its conservatively styled and relatively slow bikes on a sunny long weekend than Triumph can in six months.
The Rocket is let down in the categories that Harley excels, such as a high level of finish, a keen sense of proportion, and a cohesion of execution. Its proportions are a bit odd, and it's an incisive comment on how the Rocket looks that our riders were surprised that it actually functions quite like a proper motorcycle. The Triumph is also let down by its level of finish, as noted earlier. The rusty edges of several bolt heads doesn't bode well for its ability to stay looking fresh over the years.
All we can say to assuage those who question our seemingly foolish decision is that, among our group of testers, the Rocket's keys were always the last to be chosen. Yeah, we're surprised, too.
Rune: If this were a contest decided by a lust factor, the truly stunning Rune would win as easily as Claudia Schiffer in a Rats Hole wet t-shirt contest. Its stratospheric $27K price tag kept us in touch with reality.
This is one of the strangest motorcycles we've ever had the pleasure of nesting in our garage. Odd in that there is nothing else on the road like it; odd in that we never tired of taking it out for a spin, despite its dynamic limitations like a harsh rear suspension; odd in that it might be the best bargain of this trio in spite of a price tag that wouldn't be out of place on a new Mustang GT.
Indeed, to reproduce such a machine yourself would undoubtedly require OCC levels of financing, something on the order of six figures. Perhaps the strangest aspect of this truly exceptional dream cruiser is that it took Honda-one of the most conservative manufacturers-to go out on a limb to produce it.
Two aspects of the Rune stand out above the others. First, it inspires lust like no other. In fact, a relative of one of our testers has decided to purchase one for himself even though we didn't even give him a chance to ride it. Yes, it looks that spectacular in person. Second, and most important, more fuel was poured through its gorgeous tank than the others.
All this plus lengthy 32K valve inspections and a three-year warrantee, too.
With its docile but potent V-Twin powerplant, classic cruiser styling, a high degree of detail polishing, and a reasonable $14,499 price tag, the Vulcan 2000 emerges with MCUSA's Bruiser Cruiser title.
As motojournalists, the three bikes in this test cost the exact same amount of money: zero dollars. So it's easy to pick the radical Rune's key first. But if you actually have to pay for a bike with your own money, it's the V2K that offers the most value.
It delivers the classic cruiser experience in a new super-duty package that has an MSRP less than the others. Its mammoth V-Twin supplies endless amounts of power in any situation, from trolling through the local 7-11 to burning up a lonely Interstate 10 in the Arizona desert. Kawasaki has milled a complete package, with beautiful detail work, a lustrous finish, a sweet yet burly motor, and the smoothest ride of the bunch. Fitting a lower and narrower handlebar is the only thing we'd change if it were ours.
One moment in particular proved to be epiphanic. On our trip to Phoenix, somewhere east of Blythe, it was getting officially dark yet the eastern sky ahead of us still had a twinge of singeing light that provided warm visual relief in the cooling evening air.
Meanwhile, the Vulcan's motor was reassuringly thumping and booming below, a paradox of gentleness and vigor. Traffic on the western end of Arizona was sparse, and the flush of red taillights in the foreground provided a calming glow as the 75-mph breeze gently nipped at its rider. It was perfect and I wished it could last forever.
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