Watsonian Sidecars have turned their attention to one of the most outrageous cruisers on sale today, and the result is every bit as bold as you’d expect. The British sidecar specialist has developed a dedicated fitting kit for the Triumph Rocket 3, transforming an already extreme motorcycle into something that borders on the absurd — in the best possible way.
At the heart of the project is a bespoke subframe designed specifically for the Rocket 3’s unique proportions and immense torque. This isn’t just about bolting a chair to the side and hoping for the best. The new setup allows Watsonian’s engineers to dial in the correct axle lead — the distance the sidecar wheel sits ahead of the bike’s rear axle — a critical detail that heavily influences stability and cornering behavior. On a machine with this much power and weight, that precision matters.
The example shown pairs a Rocket 3 GT with Watsonian’s GP700 wide-body sidecar, the firm’s most expensive offering. Finished with a bobber-style mudguard, tinted windscreen, black trim, and a muscular stance, the combination looks more like a concept build than something you’d expect to see on public roads. It’s unapologetically extravagant, but also unmistakably well-engineered.
For buyers who prefer something different, the Rocket can be matched with any of Watsonian’s current sidecar range that uses the perimeter frame chassis. The flexibility is there — if your wallet allows it.
And that’s the catch. This is not a cheap exercise. The GP700 sidecar alone costs £7,995, with the custom Rocket 3 subframe adding another £2,250. That’s before you even consider the motorcycle itself, which starts at £23,695 for the latest Rocket 3 Storm R. Even used Rockets command strong money, pushing the total investment well into luxury-car territory.
Compared to more traditional sidecar pairings — often based on classic or mid-sized bikes — this setup is dramatically more expensive. But it also delivers something few others can: a sidecar rig powered by one of the largest production motorcycle engines in the world.
My view? This Watsonian Rocket 3 build isn’t about value or practicality. It’s about excess, engineering curiosity, and owning something truly unique. For most riders, it’s wildly unnecessary. For the few who can afford it, it’s probably irresistible.
