10 Best Three

Three cylinders are love, and these are the best we have seen so far

Triples, or three cylinders, are not common, because there aren't many manufacturers that have explored the idea of a number between two and four. These two-wheeled marvels have a unique personality because of their three-cylinder configuration, which balances the smoothness of a four with the quick acceleration of a twin. The compact engine arrangement offers an optimized center of gravity, which offers exceptionally nimble and agile handling on the road. The three-cylinder beast replies with precision through the bends and turns like a dancer in perfect synchronization with the music of the road, whether you're negotiating tight corners or weaving through traffic.

The discussion about triples automatically redirects us towards the British manufacturer Triumph, which has been consistent in developing and innovating in the three-cylinder category since the Trident. A few other notables are also there, such as the Yamaha or MV Augusta. In this article, we have revisited some of the best three-cylinder motorcycles that once rocked the two-wheeler world, together with the ones that are still ruling the roads.

Looking at the data from Kelley Blue Book, and manufacturer websites, we have put together a list of the best three-cylinder motorcycles ever produced.

RELATED: Why Inline-4 Motorcycles Are Getting Phased Out

Real champions don't always win. They just perform, and the world understands that a champion is born. The Daytona 675 was such a champion. It was unable to complete the 24-hour racetrack comparison test due to a snag, but it outpaced the much more powerful GSXR750 consistently until a valve gave up. But the graffiti made it clear that formidable competition has risen against the Japanese 600 cc class. The Triumph Daytona 675 was a three-cylinder sport bike and the smallest of the Triumph triples. The 675 proved to be exceptionally light, agile, and powerful, with a maximum power output of 123 horsepower.

Manufacturer

Triumph

Configuration

Three-Cylinder

Displacement

675 cc

Power

123 horsepower

Torque

53 lb.-ft.

Top Speed

154 mph

In 2014, Thanos was lurking somewhere else in the universe. Otherwise, he would have taken away the MV Augusta F3 800 for its gemstone styled headlamps. However, the headlamp was not the only gem there. Rather, this street-legal racetrack legend was a trailblazing marvel in the three-cylinder category from Italy. From nose to tail, this bike was studded with design elements to reduce drag, and that efficiency was wind tunnel tested. It sported a liquid-cooled, four-stroke, 798 cc, in-line three-cylinder engine with 148 horsepower and 64.9 pound-feet of torque and was combined with a six-speed manual gearbox and slipper clutch. The F3 800 was featured with a superbike-level engine management system, which was actually a package of assistance features such as an engine control unit, Mikuni throttle body full ride wire, torque control with four power maps, and traction control.

Manufacturer

MV Augusta

Configuration

Inline Three-Cylinder

Displacement

798 cc

Power

148 horsepower

Torque

64.9 lb.-ft.

Top Speed

167 mph

Benneli stopped the TNT 899 because of tougher emission standards, yet it remains on our list due to its outstanding performance. This bike was a fantastic choice for riders seeking a high-performance sport bike that is also elegant and cheap. The lightweight frame and inverted Marzocchi forks allowed for agile handling and an excellent riding experience. It was driven by an 898-cc inline three-cylinder engine with 120 horsepower and 65 pound-feet of torque. The engine was paired with a six-speed gearbox, and Brembo brakes on both ends offered quick stopping power. It also featured a carbon fiber front fender, belly pan, and chain guard.

Manufacturer

Benelli

Configuration

Inline Three-Cylinder

Displacement

898 cc

Power

120 horsepower

Torque

65 lb.-ft.

Top Speed

149 mph

RELATED: 2024 Triumph Scrambler 1200 Spied Testing For The First Time!

The Triumph Rocket III is the alpha male of all the three-cylinders out there. Once you look at the gigantic engine and three exhausts leaving it towards a dual outlet, be warned: your spending spree is about to be evoked. Triumph launched the first Rocket 3 in 2019 as the TFC model, and it gained such popularity that the very next year, Triumph extended the line-up with R and GT models. This new Rocket line-up featured the same 3-cylinder, 2.5-liter engine as the TFC version, making it the world’s largest motorcycle engine in production. The motor produces 165 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and a whopping 163 pound-feet of torque at 4,000 rpm. The all-aluminum, light-weight frame coupled with front and rear Showa suspension offered effortless handling and comfort. On the tech part, the Rocket offered a TFT dash screen that provided access to a series of other top-notch tech features such as cornering ABS and Traction Control, four riding modes, hill hold control, and cruise control.

Manufacturer

Triumph

Configuration

Inline-Three Cylinder

Displacement

2458 cc

Power

165 horsepower

Torque

163 lb.-ft.

Topspeed

145 mph

Breathtaking! We lost our words here. The Superveloce sets an example of how to write history on a modern canvas. Inspired by MV Agusta’s illustrious racing past, the Superveloce is a testimony to the manufacturer's glorious tradition of innovation and unrivaled supremacy in automobile engineering. Apart from this, there is also something else that makes this bike special. The ‘Ago’ in the name is actually paying tribute to the legendary ace rider Giacomo Agostini. So, basically, buyers will take home a piece of Nobel history. But this machine is not meant to sit idly in some collection garage because it has a 798 cc three-cylinder engine that churns out a massive 147 horsepower and 65 pound-feet of torque with a top speed of 150 mph.

Manufacturer

MV Augusta

Configuration

Three Cylinder

Displacement

798 cc

Power

147 horsepower

Torque

65 lb.-ft.

Top Speed

157 mph

Yamaha has reincarnated its fighters of the 80s and 90s with the XSR900. This retro-modern bike has something to offer both heritage sport lovers and modern race enthusiasts. While the side silhouette of the bike, together with the round headlamp, unique tank design, and exposed frame, evokes the classical memories of the FZR and YPVS, the all-LED lighting, TFT dash screen, and other tech inclusions indicate its modern personality. The 890 cc three-cylinder engine features a large bore and high compression ratio for smooth yet responsive power delivery. The engine is equipped with a full ride-by-wire system that offers a lively throttle feel. To make it more delicious, Yamaha has added its D-select mode to the recipe, which allows the rider to select four different power delivery options.

Manufacturer

Yamaha

Configuration

Three Cylinder

Displacement

889 cc

Power

117 horsepower

Torque

68.6 lb.-ft.

Top Speed

144 mph

RELATED: 5 Retro Bikes We Love (And 5 Genuine Classics We'd Rather Buy)

Aggressive style statement and impeccable all-round performance—behold the benchmark of hyper naked, the Yamaha MT-09. Following a minimalist design approach, the manufacturer has exposed all its muscles, keeping only the bare minimum of skin. And the view is intriguing; once you have a look, you can feel the 117 horses of the three cylinders waiting to hit the road with 69 pound-feet of torque across the rev range. Yamaha added the six-axis IMU from the legendary R1 to this bike, but now it is half the size and weight of the original. You can enjoy the exhilarating thrill of riding this beast without any worries because the state-of-the-art rider aids such as traction control, slide control, and front-wheel lift control will take care of any hiccups.

Manufacturer

Yamaha

Configuration

Inline Three-Cylinder

Displacement

890 cc

Power

117 horsepower

Torque

69 lb.-ft.

Top Speed

147 mph

Are you tired of the city and track riding? Let’s go on the soul-refreshing journey of sports touring, and we have the Yamaha Tracer 9GT with us. Featuring two aerodynamically designed side cases, the Tracer 9GT revolutionized the landscape of sports touring with high-end performance. This bike accommodates riders of every height due to its adjustable seats and foot pegs. The saddle is spacious and plush to give you a comfortable riding experience, and the KYB semi-active suspension adds more silver lining to the comfort part. Power comes from the 893 cc CP3 engine, and the 6-axis IMU with lean-sensitive rider aids makes your journey a hassle-free, exhilarating riding experience. The magnificent dual 3.5-inch TFT screen on the dash provides every piece of riding information you may need.

Manufacturer

Yamaha

Configuration

Inline Three-Cylinder

Displacement

890 cc

Power

115 horsepower

Torque

69 lb.-ft.

Topspeed

135 mph

Let’s spice it up more: three cylinders and three wheels. Presenting the Yamaha Niken GT with two wheels at the front. It's definitely not a machine for everyone. Only an open-hearted pro rider can appreciate the karizma and worth of this awesome machine. Turn as you wish because the LMW front wheels provide unsurpassed cornering performance with the assurance of impeccable stability. Niken features an adjustable front screen and a redesigned seat to accommodate diverse rider sizes. Power, acceleration, and torque—Niken tops in every category thanks to its 890 cc CP3 engine that produces smooth yet strong power delivery in every riding condition. For the 2023 model year, Yamaha featured Niken with a 7-inch TFT screen with Bluetooth connectivity and Garmin navigation. Like the Tracer 9, this bike also comes standard with two full-size side cases.

Manufacturer

Yamaha

Configuration

Three-Cylinder

Displacement

890 cc

Power

113 horsepower

Torque

67 lb.-ft.

Top Speed

135 mph

The Tiger first came out of its den in 2012, and it was an instant hit. If you already have a perfect recipe, you should not mess with it. Triumph took the cue, and within all these years, they didn't make any major changes to this bike. But what they did was add timely small updates to keep this machine contemporary. For example, the perfect combination of a lightweight yet rigid trellis frame and semi-active Showa suspension pounces on the toughest terrain like a real big cat. The power is also staggering: 147 horsepower (we really want to use tigerpower, but that's not a word!) reaches the rear wheel via a shaft final drive from the 1160 cc power plant. The Tiger is available in GT, Rally, and Explorer variants. While a 7-inch TFT is standard in all variants, the Explorer comes with a blind corner radar.

Manufacturer

Triumph

Configuration

Three-Cylinder

Displacement

1160 cc

Power

147 horsepower

Torque

95 lb.-ft.

Top Speed

137 mph

Mainak is an automobile enthusiast with a special love for motorcycles. He has been riding for the last ten years and has written about almost all the big names out there on two and four wheels. And when he is not writing, he is traveling somewhere with his two-wheeler buddy.