The Benelli TNT was the naked version of the Tornado Tre 900, presented in 2004 and kept in production with minor changes until 2016. Its name stands for Tornado Naked Tre: the engine and frame came from the faired Tornado, the fairing was removed, and the engine was an in-line three.
Benelli TNT at a glance
| Maker | Benelli, Pesaro (Italy) |
|---|---|
| Production | 2004–2016 |
| Design | Adrian Morton |
| Engine | in-line three-cylinder, liquid-cooled |
| 1130 cc power | 137 CV, 95 kW in the TNT (detuned from the Tornado) |
| 899 cc power | about 120 CV |
| Versions | Sport, Sport Evo, Cafe Racer, Titanium, R160, 899, Century Racer |
| Frame | same as the Tornado Tre, different swingarm |
| Name | Tornado Naked Tre |
Based on one detailed source: the Italian Wikipedia article on the TNT.
History of the Benelli TNT
A naked Tornado
The TNT was derived from the Tornado Tre 900 and was presented and put on sale in 2004. Its name is an acronym of Tornado Naked Tre: Tornado because the engine and frame came from the faired sister, Naked because the bodywork was removed, and Tre because the engine is an in-line three-cylinder. The frame is the same as the Tornado Tre’s, while the swingarm is different. The design is by Adrian Morton.
The 1130
The first version, presented in 2004 and in the price list in its original form until 2008, was mechanically almost identical to the Tornado Tre, although its 1130 cc engine of 137 CV was detuned by about ten horsepower to 95 kW. Its main characteristic was elasticity: good torque was available from about 2,500 rpm. The many versions were essentially colour and equipment changes: the yellow Cafe Racer from 2005 to 2008, the Sport in 2005–2006, the Titanium in 2005–2008 and the Sport Evo in 2007–2009. At EICMA in 2009 Benelli presented the R, also called R160, with revised power delivery reaching 116 kW (158 CV); it was built from 2010 to 2016. The Century Racer of 2012–2013, in olive grey, celebrated the company’s centenary.
The 899 and the end
In 2008 Benelli presented the 899, with a 900 cc engine of about 120 CV, sold in its original form until 2011. The base two-seater was entirely black, frame and bodywork, with a one-piece seat and specific suspension; the 899S was yellow-orange and built from 2008 to 2011. A new 899 was offered in 2010 and stayed in the list until 2016, and in 2011 the 899 also received the Century Racer livery for a year. Sales ended in 2016, the year of the Euro 4 rules, because the engine had not been updated to meet them.
In 2021 a TNT 899 was presented in China with the same technical specification and minor improvements: a full-LED headlight with daytime running light, LED indicators and redesigned radiator panels. The motorcycle and engine were officially produced and assembled entirely in China for the Asian market, while a TNT 125 was sold on the domestic market sharing only the name with the larger bike.
Design and features
- Tornado Tre basis: the same frame and three-cylinder engine, without the fairing.
- Strong mid-range: good torque from about 2,500 rpm.
- Many editions: Sport, Sport Evo, Cafe Racer, Titanium, R160 and Century Racer.
- Two capacities: 1130 cc and 899 cc engines.
Benelli TNT versions
- TNT 1130 (2004–2008): the original, 95 kW.
- Cafe Racer, Sport, Titanium, Sport Evo: colour and equipment editions of the 1130.
- TNT R160 (2010–2016): 116 kW (158 CV).
- Century Racer (2012–2013): centenary edition in olive grey.
- TNT 899 (2008–2016): 900 cc, about 120 CV, base and 899S versions.
Benelli’s off-road range is described in the BX article, and the sporty 50 cc scooter in the 49X article. More Benelli models are in the Benelli collection.
Video: Benelli TNT 1130 HP Corse Titanium Exhaust Sound
Video on YouTube.
Sources
- Benelli TNT, Italian Wikipedia: history, engines, versions
- Benelli, English Wikipedia: company background
