Triumph Rocket 3 (including GT, R, TFC) Maintenance Schedule
This is the maintenance schedule with associated service intervals for the Triumph Rocket 3 range of motorcycles.
The Rocket 3 was released in 2019 in three versions:
- Triumph Rocket 3 R — Naked roadster
- Triumph Rocket 3 GT — Long distance tourer, more comfortable riding position (more comfortable handlebars and foot pegs, plus lower seat)
- Triumph Rocket 3 TFC (the high-spec, limited-edition, very good-looking one).
The Rocket 3 is an evolution of the Rocket III (only makes sense when it’s written down, don’t try saying it out loud!). It has more ccs, more horses, and more style points.
The Triumph Rocket 3 motorcycles are based around a 2458cc inline three-cylinder engine. It’s water-cooled, DOHC, and has four valves per cylinder (twelve valves). The engine makes a claimed 123 kW (167 PS / 165 bhp) @ 6000 rpm, and a frankly ridiculous peak torque of 221 Nm (163 ft-lb) at 4000 rpm.
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Triumph Rocket 3 Service Intervals
Broadly, the Triumph Rocket 3 (including the R and GT) has 10000 mile / 16000 km service intervals, at which you should change the oil and filter and do a comprehensive set of checks of the fluids and hoses for leaks and general condition.
The major valve service, at which point you also check/adjust the camshaft timing and change the spark plugs, is every 20000 miles / 32000 km — quite generously wide.
As the Rocket 3 has a liquid-cooled engine, make sure you renew the coolant periodically (every 3 years, regardless of mileage). You also have to regularly change the brake and clutch fluid (the Rocket 3 has a hydraulic clutch).
Finally, the Rocket 3 has a shaft drive, so replace the shaft drive fluid every major service, and generally check for leaks.
What you need to service the Triumph Rocket 3 motorcycles
So you want to service your own 2500cc behemoth, do you? Or maybe you just want to know exactly when you’re going to have to plonk down for a Triumph tech to do it for you.
If you’re planning on servicing your Triumph Rocket 3 yourself — maybe you’re just changing the oil or plugs — then you’ll need the following consumables.
Firstly, you need to see if you have the basic motorcycle maintenance tools — nothing shocking, just things like a paddock stand, oil filter wrench, and so on.
The following is a list of specific consumables for the Triumph Rocket 3 series of motorcycles.
| Product | Image | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Oil |  | The manual suggests semi or fully synthetic 15W-50 (at least) which meets specification API SH (or higher) and JASO MA, such as Castrol Power 1 4T 10W-50 (fully synthetic). Tighten the oil drain bolt to 25 Nm with a torque wrench. |
| Oil filter |  | Replace the oil filter every time you change the oil. Use Triumph part number T1218001, using Triumph tool T3880313 to remove it. You can also use Hiflofiltro part HF204RC and remove/tighten it with a wrench. Tighten the oil filter to 10Nm. |
| Spark plugs |  | Use NGK spark plugs with code LMAR8A-9 (sold individually). Make sure they’re gapped to 0.9mm with an appropriate spark plug gapping tool. |
| Air filter |  | Use Triumph part number T2201813. (No alternatives available yet) |
| Coolant |  | Triumph uses Hybrid Organic Acid Technology (HOAT) coolant with a 50% ethylene glycol mix. You can get HD4X coolant from a dealer, or use another silicate-free coolant like Pro Honda HP coolant. |
| Final drive oil |  | Use “fully synthetic 75W/90 hypoid oil that meets specification API Service Level GL5”, e.g. Mobil 1 LS 75W-90. Tighten the filler plug to 25 Nm. |
| Brake /clutch fluid |  | Use a DOT 4 spec like Castrol DOT 4. |
| Brake pads |  | You can get original Triumph parts from the dealer, or you can use EBC double sintered, which have more bite and less fade than stock pads. Front: EBC double sintered FA447HH (two pairs) Rear: EBC double sintered FA630HH (one pair). |
| Battery | Dead battery on your Rocket 3? The big Triumph takes a YTX20CH-BS. |
Maintenance Schedule for the Triumph Rocket 3
Below is the maintenance schedule for the Triumph Rocket 3. It’s adapted from the manual and simplified.
We’ve broken it up into two parts:
- Daily checks to do on your Triumph Rocket 3, as well as with every service
- The regular maintenance schedule
Triumph Rocket 3 — Daily Checks
Below is the list of daily checks to do on the Triumph Rocket 3.
| Triumph Rocket 3 — Daily / Pre-ride checks |
|---|
| Engine – check for leaks |
| Fuel system – check fuel hoses for chafing, cracks or damage. |
| Cooling system – check for leaks |
| Coolant level – check/adjust |
| Clutch – check operation |
| Clutch fluid levels – check |
| Tyre wear/tyre damage – check |
| Tyre pressures – check/adjust |
| Steering – check for free operation |
| Front and rear suspension – check for damage/leaks/smooth operation |
| Brake system – check operation |
| Brake pads – check wear levels |
| Brake fluid levels – check |
| Final drive – check for oil leaks |
| Lights, instruments and electrical systems – check |
| Bank angle indicators – check for wear |
| Side stand – check for smooth operation |
| Backrest (if fitted) – check for smooth operation |
| Accessory Pannier Rails – check for smooth operation |
Triumph Rocket 3 — Maintenance schedule
Below is the full maintenance schedule for the Triumph Rocket 3.
Notes
- Where there’s a distance and time interval, observe the earlier of the two.
- Part of the below table includes checks you should do every day. Do these with the other maintenance intervals, too
- The break-in service is omitted (most people get this done at a dealer during the warranty period)
- Items marked [T] need Triumph mechanic-specific equipment or resources.
- Keep following the schedule in the pattern shown. Note that some items are only every 30000 miles / 48000 km.
| Mi x 1000 | 10 | 20 | 30 | 40 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Km x 1000 | 16 | 32 | 48 | 64 | Every |
| [T] Autoscan – carry out a full Autoscan using the Triumph diagnostic tool | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| Perform all pre-ride / daily checks (see list above) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| Engine oil – renew (Castrol Power 1 4T 10W-50) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| Engine oil filter – renew (HF204RC) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| Spark plugs – renew (NGK LMAR8A-9) | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Valve clearances – check/adjust | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Camshaft timing – check/adjust | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Air filter — renew | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | More often if riding in wet / dusty conditions |
| Fuel filter – renew | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Throttle bodies – balance | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Cooling system – check hoses for chafing, cracks or damage. | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Coolant – replace (HD4X or an alternative) | 3 years | ||||
| Clutch fluid – renew (Castrol DOT 4) | 2 years | ||||
| Brake fluid – renew (Castrol DOT 4) | 2 years | ||||
| Wheel bearings – check for wear/smooth operation | ✓ | ||||
| Rear wheel needle roller bearing (left hand side outer only) – lubricate | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Fork oil – renew | ✓ | ||||
| Headstock bearings – check | Year | ||||
| Headstock bearings – lubricate | ✓ | ||||
| Swinging arm spindle – lubricate | ✓ | ||||
| Rear suspension linkage – lubricate | ✓ | ||||
| Final drive oil level – check | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| Final drive oil – renew (Mobil 1 LS 75W-90) | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| [T] ECM / Instruments: Check for latest calibration download using the Triumph diagnostic tool | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| Side stand pivot pin – clean | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| [T] Carry out all outstanding Service Bulletin and warranty work | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| Carry out road test | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
| [T] Complete the service record book and reset the service indicator | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Year |
Tire sizes and pressures for the Rocket 3
Below are the stock tire sizes and pressures for the Triumph Rocket 3.
| Wheel | Tyre (Tire) size | Tyre (Tire) pressure (cold) |
|---|---|---|
| Front | 150/80 R17 | 2.9 bar (42 psi) |
| Rear | 240/50 R16 | 2.9 bar (42 psi) |
About the Triumph Rocket 3
The Triumph Rocket 3 has incredible road presence and almost needs no introduction.
But here goes: it’s a big cruiser motorcycle with an engine that is the largest capacity motorcycle engine in production. It’s bigger than the previous Triumph Rocket III, and bigger than anything from Harley-Davidson — their 131 c.i. Screamin’ Eagle crate engine is a “mere” 2145cc.
The Triumph Rocket 3 was introduced in 2019 (model year 20) as an update to the earlier Triumph Rocket 3. A massive 2500cc (actually 2458cc) engine makes 123 kW (165 bhp / 167 PS) at 6,000 rpm with oodles of torque from way down low, up to a higher redline of 7,000 rpm.
It puts power down through a six-speed gearbox and a shaft drive The rear wheel is a huge 240-profile tyre.
Even though the Triumph Rocket 3 is technically a “cruiser”, it has some really high-level components.
Starting with the suspension, you get really beefy 47mm Showa upside-down cartridge front forks, which are adjustable for both compression and rebound damping (though not preload).
The rear suspension is a single shock unit, a fully adjustable (preload, rebound damping, and compression damping adjustable) Showa shock with a piggyback reservoir and remote hydraulic preload adjuster.
Since the whole bike weighs a whopping 291 kg dry, you need capable brakes to bring it to a halt. At the front there are Brembo M4.30 Stylema 4-piston radial monobloc calipers — the same you get on superbikes like the Ducati Panigale V4S. (Which are of course much lighter, and so stop more quickly!)
The new Rocket 3 also has much more technology than earlier editions, with ride controls and cornering ABS, thanks to its six-axis IMU. The TFT display gives you access to the connectivity system, available via the optional bluetooth module.
Maintaining the Triumph Rocket 3 involves similar maintenance to the big parallel twins that Triumph produces.
In a nutshell, regular maintenance for the Triumph Rocket 3 includes
- There’s a service interval every 10000 mi (16000 km) OR year. After any of those periods pass, check to see what’s necessary.
- Replace most fluids every 2-3 years
- The valve clearance/camshaft timing service is every 20000 miles/30000 km
- Lubricate steering and suspension components every 30000 miles (48000 km)
The Rocket 3 TFC is a higher-spec motorcycle than both the Rocket 3 R and GT. It gets
- A ~10% more powerful engine (182 PS vs 167 PS, or 180 hp vs 165 hp), with peak power at 7000 rpm rather than at 6000 rpm. This came through revised high-speed engine internals, including titanium inlet valves, as well as through a tune for the Arrow silencers.
- Many carbon fibre parts
- A run of only 750 world-wide, with number stamp plates on them. (And no, there are no more for sale!)
The front and rear suspension and brakes on the Triumph Rocket 3 TFC are the same Showa and Brembo components.
Manual for the Triumph Rocket 3
The above maintenance schedule comes directly from the user’s manual for the Triumph Rocket 3 GT, which is available on the Triumph website. The maintenance schedule is the same as for other motorcycles in the Rocket 3 range (we checked).
