Triumph Street Cup: the urban Bonneville gets aggressive! [ROAD TEST]

The renewal of the Bonnevile family, which took place a couple of years ago, has brought about the debut of a very interesting proposal for those who are not looking for profuse power, but who do not want to give up style for their bike. Let's talk about that Street Twin that we tested in 2015 (here our article).

From that motorcycle, with the same one heart 900 HT (High Torque) 55 horsepower and capable of 80 Nm at just over 3 thousand rpm, an even more captivating version was born in 2017 and decidedly less inclined to compromise, at least from an aesthetic point of view. In fact, it gives in to the charm of the semi-handlebar with a sporty setting, but also gains interesting dedicated details, such as the saddle with an Alcantara effect finish, covered in the passenger portion by a removable cover. A detail that further reiterates its desire to be an object to be enjoyed in solitude and which prefers appearance to comfort. Beautiful it certainly is, even a little less comfortable, but the taste may be worth the choice. Its price is 10.600 euros (+1.700 compared to the "Twin"), while consumption remains very low, like that of its sister with a quieter look.

Aesthetics and finishes:

rating:  

It focuses heavily on appearance, you can see it at first glance, you feel like you're in the saddle

A few clever touches, at least if you look at it quickly, seem to differentiate it from the model from which it was born. We are obviously referring to the finish with double color, very eye-catching, but also ai low semi-handlebars, combined with a mini-windshield, which always plays with the two-tone tank and that tail that covers part of the saddle. If we then look closer, we notice that the operation is more complex and that it involves numerous other details. The saddle, eg, it has an exclusive finish, which makes it aesthetically very similar to Alcantara, but more resistant to use and bad weather. He has one “bullet” shape and contrasting stitching, characteristics that allow it to remain "beautiful" even without the captivating coverage of the part dedicated to the passenger. This is perhaps one of the few (due) concessions to comfort that its desire to appear sporty allows it. In fact, it does not give up homologation (as is the case for the Bobber), footrests and "habitability" for two, just remove the cover with two Allen screws present in the lower part. The dimensions, however, become decidedly sportier and less comfortable than those of the Street Twin. Firstly for the wrists, forced to work harder due to the low (but not very low) position imposed by the semi-handlebars. The particular detail is that they are not separate from each other, because it was adopted a "hybrid" solution, with the central portion that is fixed to the fork with a full handlebar plate, which then curves downwards at the ends, where it is connected, with welding, to the connections of the two semi-handlebars.

A solution that has particularity on its side, but some might not like those visible welds too much, only partially hidden by the glossy black paint. Stylish, it could only be so, the two mirrors that are fixed to the ends of the half handlebars. They have forged stems and, as in other cases, if reversed together they can theoretically be mounted low instead of high (in this case they end up very low and this therefore becomes rather inadvisable).

Only the most experienced will then notice other refinements of the "Cup", which in addition to the dual instrumentation, inherits from the prestigious Thruxton the footrests and the headlight, with housing and brackets with a more refined finish (compared to the "Twin"). The bellows from the fork legs and overall disappear the Stret Cup has a decidedly different appearance from the bike from which it derives, which justifies it (at least mostly) the highest list price, especially for those who appreciate its beautiful details. 1.700 € they are not few, but all the changes are worth significantly more than this amount. In fact, it would be crazy (at least from an economic point of view) to think of independently transforming a "Twin" into a "Cup".

Engine and performance:

rating:  

More torque than power, with a very interesting delivery and sound

The engine is located between the frame tubes 900cc High Torque Bonneville, which confirms everything good that we had discovered when trying it for the first time on the Street Twin. When reading the power data some might be disappointed, but its 55 horsepower are “spread” very well indeed, given that the delivery curve is particularly advantageous. In fact, the power is delivered at less than 6 rpm (5.900 to be precise), but above all, the maximum torque is very respectable, with 80 Nm reaching 3.230 rpm. The parallel twin is liquid-cooled (with the radiator cleverly hidden by the black color and positioned between the frame tubes, thanks to its narrow and tall shape), offers 8-valve, single-cam distribution and therefore SOHC (acronym for single over head camshaf) and with 270° crank mechanism.

The latter is a technical detail that is anything but secondary, because it is precisely what it gives such fluidity of delivery front-facing twin-cylinder, and which also allows you to give up sixth gear, without too many problems. The 5-speed gearbox it is in fact excellent in terms of ratios, with the fifth gear widening enough to maintain a low speed even on the motorway and low fuel consumption, as we will see. The only flaw, if we really want it, is in the clutches, which are less soft and fluid than one might expect from a motorbike with "only" 55 horsepower. The "distance" in terms of ratio between one gear and another leads in fact to a slightly more decisive and noisy engagement, but it is a detail that most people will miss.

Compared to the past, the renewed 900 offers greater performance, with a +22% in terms of power in the central portion of the delivery curve and +18% for torque. In addition to this we find refined electronics, with type throttle control ride-by-wire, which allows you to combine the significantly improved delivery curve with a reduction in consumption quantifiable in an extraordinary figure of -36%! In addition to this, the traction control, which is not superfluous, as some might think. For example, excluding electronics, the generous torque allows you to leave beautiful black marks on the cobblestones of the streets of the center of Milan, even on dry roads, so "help" is welcome, both for the less experienced, but also to avoid unnecessary risks when you don't want to be a "hooligan".

The Street Cup is then characterized by some changes, more aesthetic than technical, which see the new double silencers with “megaphone” shape, which are more compact and also lighter, as well as being finished in a Satin Black paint, combined with stainless steel lids. Not just aesthetics, because this modification also translates into a beautiful sound, unexpectedly dark and deep. A touch of sportiness also for the ears, as well as for the eyes of its admirers and buyers.

Ride and handling:

rating:  

Sportier, not just in look

This can be seen by looking at it, then it is confirmed once you sit in the saddle: the position is obviously more loaded on the front end, not only for the presence of semi – dumbbells and for the different platforms, but also because we have intervened on the cycling quotas, closing the angle of the steering head and consequently reducing the trail. You therefore find yourself riding a motorbike which will have a slightly more sacrificed riding position in city riding, without however becoming extreme, but which on trips out of town offers more satisfaction, with a riding pleasure increased by the chassis best suited to changes of direction at a brilliant pace. The wheels are 18" at the front and 17 at the rear, with tires respectively from 100 / 90 and 150 / 70. In front we find a fork 41mm KYB, whose travel is 120 mm, while the classic one at the rear double shock absorber, always KYB and with adjustable preload.

Also in this case the wheel travel is 120 mm. For the brake sector, however, the "Cup" relies on a large one single disc, 310 mm floating, bitten by a caliper (also floating), branded Nissin and equipped with a double piston, like the rear one, which however works on a smaller 255 mm disc. Excellent functioning of theABS. The heart of cycling is instead the double cradle frame, in tubular steel, while the dry weight reaches i 200 Kg round rounds. In city driving, if on the one hand the wrists work more, due to the low position and the sporty setting, the saddle, placed just 780 mm from the ground, makes the experience easy and pleasant even for pilots of smaller stature or with little experience, who will be able to enjoy a comfortable rest of their feet on the ground when necessary. The low center of gravity and the balanced chassis do the rest, with the pleasant sensation of always having everything fully under control.

Agile and precise, more than the Street Twin thanks to the modifications, the “Bonneville Urban Sport"It's an easy bike to ride, but capable of exceeding even the most demanding expectations. In fact, the engine surprises, with a "perceived" power that is significantly higher than the real value, which is managed with taste thanks to the electronic control and which, combined with the excellent chassis, allows you to have the most fun when the context allows it. The almost total absence of vibrations and the effectiveness of the driving position, in this case, make the experience decidedly positive.

Price and consumption:

rating:  

In double figures, but what style!

As anticipated earlier, the price list for the Street Cup is 10.600 euros, 1.700 more than the “Twin” from which it starts as a base. Quite a few for a motorbike with "only" 55 horsepower, some might object, but the 900 HT is anything but lazy and emotionless, instead it manages to offer an almost unexpected riding pleasure and then, above all, the "Cup" it has a quantity of dedicated details and goodies compared to its sister, such as to justify the difference in list prices. If style matters to you, you will certainly appreciate its features, among which the double coloring, with this beautiful combination Racing Yellow / Silver Ice, alternatively you can choose with Jet Black instead of yellow, always with a silver gray contrast.

As for the equipment, the presence of a comfortable bed should be noted USB socket under the saddle, while among the accessories the list of optional ones includes them over 120! Born for customization, as often happens with Hinckley's motorbikes, with the possibility of giving it a different character more similar to one's personal taste, if desired. Not even missing Depowering kit for A2 driving licence, from which you can obviously "go back", bringing the Street Cup back to full power with a simple update (even bureaucratic), once the legal limitation has ended.

The "Bonneville Urban Sport" is then able to guarantee truly negligible consumption. If the data of declared fuel consumption is 3,7 l/100 km, in daily use, even enjoying the sound and often opening the throttle, 25 per liter are the rule, with peaks even beyond the value declared by the manufacturer, if you instead switch to a more relaxed driving style. All this also leads to a respectable autonomy, with the 12 liter tank that gives a distance from petrol station to petrol station of more than 300 km.

PROS AND CONS
We like it:
Style, attention to detail and very attractive look, engine sound, negligible consumption
We do not like it:
Price not exactly low, position a little sacrificed with the semi-handlebars, only 5 gears

Triumph Street Cup: the Motorionline Report Card

Motor:
Handling:
Gearbox and transmission:
Braking:
Suspensions:
Guide:
Pilot comfort:
Passenger comfort:
Equipment:
Quality price:
Line:
Consumption:

Tester clothing:

Gloves: Dainese Carbon D1 Short

Jacket: Dainese Bryan Leather Jacket

Pants: Dainese Bonneville Regular

Shoes: Dainese Street Rocker D-WP

Helmet: LS2 BOBBER RUSTY BLACK

Mask: ALZELA the Goggle