I think Triumph recognizes that most cruiser riders don't care about, and in many cases are intimidated by power. Same goes for touring bikes. No doubt the T'Bird is cheaper to manufacture and its closer to what most cruiser buyers want. Long, slow rides and good gas mileage is what the majority want. People who want a full dress, 2.3 liter, 150 horsepower touring bike are a minority and not large enough to sustain a product line.
The Rocket should be aimed at the power market. Sharpen the focus to do battle with the Diavel and V-Max. The Rocket engine is seriously under stressed as witnessed by the results folks like Carpenter get with little to no mods needed to improve reliability. Turn over final engine development to Art and the boys like Mercedes does with AMG, and make the Rocket an exclusive, take no prisoners, assault machine.
We need to realize that we are the exception, not the rule.
Just my opinion, I could be wrong.
