WHAT do Leona Lewis, Anna Friel (of legendary lesbian Brookside kiss fame) and Triumph have in common?
Well, they’ve all launched themselves at the American market. Leona has stormed the US music charts. Anna is a huge hit with Pushing Daisies. And Triumph are targeting Harley-Davidson’s cruising range with the Rocket III Touring bike. But this is more than just a mile-munching version of the standard Rocket. The enormous three-cylinder engine has been retuned for a lazier ride. It loses 34bhp but with its reduced peak power and extra dose of torque kicking in lower down the rev range, the power’s now far more useable. This version is also easier to manage and new handlebars offer a more comfortable reach. In fact the whole bike’s comfy. The lower seat has two padded layers to prevent a numb bum. The quick-detachable windscreen works well but a higher one would prevent head buffeting at motorway speeds. The footboards are protected from the inevitable touch-downs by neat, replaceable steel trims. And their teardrop shape means paddling or walking the bike doesn’t result in bruised shins
