TRIUMPH STREET CUP (2017 - 2020) Review

The Triumph Street Cup isn’t going to blow your socks off with raw speed and racing talent.

The Street Cup is actually the Street Twin in disguise - don’t panic, it’s not just an accessory job – but more on that in a bit. The Street Twin has been hugely popular since its launch a year ago, Triumph even say it’s the best seller in the Bonnie range. And that’s because it’s incredibly easy to ride, unintimidating and minimalist with mod-cons; traits which appeal to both new riders and those taking a step back.

A video posted by MCN - motorcyclenews.com (@motorcyclenews) on Oct 5, 2016 at 3:10am PDT

So of course Triumph are going to take their winning formulae and extend it into new models, which is what we have here, but that’s fine with us because we’ll get all the benefits of the new Street Twin including new liquid-cooled parallel twin engine, frame, suspension and electronics package (ABS and traction control) and all wrapped up in café clothes. Brilliant.

And we’re not just talking about a yellow jumper here either, Triumph has gone to town on the café components.

Triumph’s design department has done a spiffing job of transforming the Street Twin into a café racer – and they’re encouraging customers to carry on their good work with over 120 accessories.

But that’s enough about the trinkets, components aside the Street Cup’s main difference to its Twin sibling is it’s riding position and handling. It has a sportier riding position for a more agile bike.

Sweeping round the Spanish bends on the world launch in Seville quickly impressed. The Cup’s set-up certainly adds an element of sportiness to an otherwise relaxed Street Twin. Railing round corners is easier than it should be on the Street Cup, the ground clearance has also been increased so you can tip it further than you think it should go.

Overall, it’s essentially still the Street Twin and that’s what makes the Cup such a good bike. The tweaked ergonomics add a sharper sensation to the ride, and despite the dropped bars and raised seat the riding position is still all day comfy (my gentle wrists didn’t ache once). The new bar mirrors are well placed and provide a decent rear view and the overall finish, quality of parts and attention to detail is sublime. Like the Street Twin, the Cup will appeal to a wide audience, which basically includes anyone who fancies a café racer that actually works.

From late Spring 2017 the Street Cup was available as an A2-compliant model.

MCN spoke to Stuart Wood, the man behind Triumph's retro range, to find out what the bike is all about.

"If you stop and have a look at the Triumph Street Cup you will see there is far more to it than first impressions suggest, and it is actually something we couldn’t have done with a body kit," says Wood.

"The back end is jacked-up and the ergonomics are different so the bike is a little bit sportier in its focus."

Wood says that when you ride the Street Cup and Street Twin back-to-back the differences are clear, adding: "Going the extra mile makes a real difference."

He says the Street Cup experience starts with the ace bars, the seat with its hump and the bike’s overall look. And then you get the new pegs, the paintjob with its hand pin-striped wheels, which is a different colour depending on the bike’s main colour.

"The exhausts intentionally have a single skin header so it blues up nicely at the top,” he continues. “It’s certainly not simply an inspiration kit on a Street Twin, it’s a step above. But it is not a Thruxton.

"The Thruxton and Thruxton R are very different bikes. They’re full-on sportsbikes in many ways with their geometry and components, which isn’t what the Street Cup is about, it is more of a fun bike. At the moment this means you can’t fit the Thruxton’s dolphin fairing to the Street Cup as its bars are more relaxed and that would interfere with the fairings. That’s not to say there won’t be a dedicated Street Cup dolphin fairing in the future."

After you've read this review and checked out our owners' reviews, you may want to join a community such as The Triumph Forum to contact and interact with owners.

The Triumph Street Cup went off sale in 2020. We're not sure whether it'll be replaced at this point.