Triumph set to bring back Rocket III

Triumph is set to reintroduce its Rocket III power cruiser as a direct rival to Ducati's Diavel muscle cruiser, if a leaked picture from what was meant to be a confidential UK dealer meeting is anything to go by.

British dealers were treated to a sneak peek of the upcoming machine when a pre-production prototype was ridden across the stage and out of sight just after an image of the machine was briefly projected onto the screen.

With the 15-year-old 2294cc version – which was good for 148hp – removed from the line-up due to failing to meet Euro4 emission requirements, and Ducati's Diavel capable of 160hp, it's expected Triumph has completely updated the three-cylinder engine, with many expecting a 2500cc capacity when the covers finally get officially removed.

A single-sided swingarm will replace the old Rocket's conventional dual-sided affair and an aluminium frame is expected to replace the heavy tubular-steel unit of the original bike.

High-end components such as a radial-mounted Brembo braking package and top-shelf upside-down forks reveal the new bike will err more towards the muscle end of the muscle-cruiser spectrum.

Much like the Diavel and XDiavel duo it's aimed squarely at, Triumph is expected to release two different ergonomic versions of the new machine in an effort to appeal to both the feet-forward style of rider as well as a more conventional footpeg set-up.

Watch this space.