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Photos : Sunny, SunilG and MG (Gourab)
Text: Sunil and Sunny
Benelli : A primer
Benelli is currently owned by a Chinese group called the Qianjiang group who make everything from scooters to quads, electric bikes, generators, pumps, etc. The QJ group produces about 1.2 million two wheelers per year.
However don't let the Chinese connection dissuade you from considering this brand. The quality is top notch. And like many luxury brands (Apple etc), some Benellis will also be made in China.
Benelli has set foot for the first time on the Indian soil with the help of DSK Motowheels and looks set to launch 5 motorcycles from its current stable. We thank DSK Motowheels for bringing these Italian beauties for us and wish them all the success.
Some important milestones in Benelli's history
DSK Motowheels:
Benelli TNT 600GT Reviewed by @sunilg
EICMA at the Benelli stall.
^The bike looks purposeful. Even without the panniers.
Absorbing the impact from the road is the suspension system consisting of a 50mm USD fork at the front and a single side mounted monoshock at the rear. Braking was well taken care of by two 320 mm twin discs up front and a 260 mm single disc at the rear. This bigger tank and the fairing do make the Benelli TNT 600GT appear huge from some angles; however, once you sit on it that bulkiness seems to disappear completely. From the saddle, the GT looks well balanced. Even riders of short stature would find themselves at ease sitting on it. Despite all its visible bulk, the best thing about the 600GT was the way it handles. Thanks to the sorted chassis and the suspension setup, the bike simply surrenders itself to the rider and does exactly what he wants it to do and goes exactly where he wants it to go, be it in crawling city traffic or high-speed runs on the highway. Ample low end torque let it take the bumper-to-bumper city traffic with utmost ease. Thanks to the ultra-sticky Pirelli rubber, it seemed eager to take on the corners of Lavasa with aplomb and even while riding in the Pune city traffic on a Monday evening for around an hour, the bike showed no signs of overheating and that for me was a wonderful thing. Fit and finish wise as well, the bike didn't leave us disappointed.
^And its lot of fun
Benelli TNT 600i
Reviewed and Ridden by @Sunny
The Benelli 600i was a sweet surprise. I will start off with a verdict first: This is one of the best 600s I have ever ridden.
Looks :
The instrument cluster is again minimalistic, but by no means ugly. The panels lines are angular and the stickering minimal.
The best part of the bike for me was the rear with its dual edgy and triangular underseat exhausts. It should look better with tail tidy and mini aftermarket indicators. I find no reason (other than perhaps gaining more power) that one should replace the stock exhausts with aftermarket ones. They also look and perfectly match the lines of the bike.
The side scoops give the bike a meaty streetfighter look. I would still prefer a projector lamp up front ala the 600T should Benelli thing of making this bike a perfect looker.
Overall the bike looks very attractive, though not obviously Italian (like the 899). The fit and finish is top notch and you would have to try pretty hard to fight the fact that it is made in China (with all due respect many luxury products and electronics are indeed made in PRC).
Performance and Engine:
Benelli TNT 899
Ridden and reviewed by @Sunny
Legend has it that the first TNT 1130 super naked models were almost untamable, wheelie addicts with a certain raw character that you will rarely find in the super refined engines of today. This was in 2004, when the first naked TNT came out. Things have changed since then. The current TNT 899 Naked which I rode is touted to be much more refined and docile monster (pardon the pun which might refer to a certain model of another Italian marque). The engine of this bike was derived from the original 1130 superbike engine that Benelli had developed.
The 899 used to come in two flavors, the T and the S, the latter being introduced in 2008. The two versions differ in suspension, with the S having a fully adjustable front fork. Now it has been consolidated, but surprisingly leaving the ability to adjust the front fork behind. There is still some confusion as to which models are still available globally, but in all probability it will be only 899 TNT, the T version.
She's got the Looks
This was shot by Kulpreet Singh way back in 2007 on The Great Australian Roadtrip (which was done on two Hyosung Gt650Rs, 22000 kms) in Wollongong, Australia near Sydney. I spotted this Benelli and was excited to see the exotic for the first time in my life. I did not know that one day I would be riding it on the Indian roads! This is the 1130 Cafe Racer. I usually never sit and pose on bikes which I do not test ride / own but I made an exception to this one! And what a coincidence - both the brands : Hyosung and Benelli are bought to India by the same company - DSK!
It is touted to be one of the best renditions of the naked motorcycle theme, and I agree. Being an Italian it had to look radical. The first look will leave you intrigued. There is a lot going on to keep your eyes busy. From the unique side mounted radiators to the suave petal discs and the unique front static headlight arrangement that is complemented by the underseat exhaust flanked by interesting two piece taillights and a red swingarm and frame which stands out.
The front 3/4th view looks the best and very meaty for the 899. The most unique visual feature of the 899 has to be the side mounted radiators. But the Benellis have been known to put their radiators in strange places. The Benelli Tornado Tre 1130 had its radiator under the seat (!) and two radiator fans right below the tail, giving it a faux exhaust look which looked really cool!
The instrument console is pretty basic but again functional.
The build quality and workmanship of the 899 (which is made in Italy and not in China) is excellent.
Firing it UpAnd off you go
Speculations and Things to Note:
Thanks to @MG (Gourab) for assisting us in the review:
Text: Sunil and Sunny
Benelli : A primer
Benelli is currently owned by a Chinese group called the Qianjiang group who make everything from scooters to quads, electric bikes, generators, pumps, etc. The QJ group produces about 1.2 million two wheelers per year.
However don't let the Chinese connection dissuade you from considering this brand. The quality is top notch. And like many luxury brands (Apple etc), some Benellis will also be made in China.
Benelli has set foot for the first time on the Indian soil with the help of DSK Motowheels and looks set to launch 5 motorcycles from its current stable. We thank DSK Motowheels for bringing these Italian beauties for us and wish them all the success.
Some important milestones in Benelli's history
DSK Motowheels:
Having ridden and worked with a lot with the Italian marque - Ducati, I have developed a strange love and fondness for everything Italian. With the power shifting to Asia it should not be surprising that Jaguar is now owned by an Indian company, KTM is almost half owned by our Bajaj and Benelli is owned by someone in China.
EICMA at the Benelli stall.
^The bike looks purposeful. Even without the panniers.
Absorbing the impact from the road is the suspension system consisting of a 50mm USD fork at the front and a single side mounted monoshock at the rear. Braking was well taken care of by two 320 mm twin discs up front and a 260 mm single disc at the rear. This bigger tank and the fairing do make the Benelli TNT 600GT appear huge from some angles; however, once you sit on it that bulkiness seems to disappear completely. From the saddle, the GT looks well balanced. Even riders of short stature would find themselves at ease sitting on it. Despite all its visible bulk, the best thing about the 600GT was the way it handles. Thanks to the sorted chassis and the suspension setup, the bike simply surrenders itself to the rider and does exactly what he wants it to do and goes exactly where he wants it to go, be it in crawling city traffic or high-speed runs on the highway. Ample low end torque let it take the bumper-to-bumper city traffic with utmost ease. Thanks to the ultra-sticky Pirelli rubber, it seemed eager to take on the corners of Lavasa with aplomb and even while riding in the Pune city traffic on a Monday evening for around an hour, the bike showed no signs of overheating and that for me was a wonderful thing. Fit and finish wise as well, the bike didn't leave us disappointed.
^And its lot of fun
Benelli TNT 600i
Reviewed and Ridden by @Sunny
The Benelli 600i was a sweet surprise. I will start off with a verdict first: This is one of the best 600s I have ever ridden.
Looks :
The instrument cluster is again minimalistic, but by no means ugly. The panels lines are angular and the stickering minimal.
The best part of the bike for me was the rear with its dual edgy and triangular underseat exhausts. It should look better with tail tidy and mini aftermarket indicators. I find no reason (other than perhaps gaining more power) that one should replace the stock exhausts with aftermarket ones. They also look and perfectly match the lines of the bike.
The side scoops give the bike a meaty streetfighter look. I would still prefer a projector lamp up front ala the 600T should Benelli thing of making this bike a perfect looker.
Overall the bike looks very attractive, though not obviously Italian (like the 899). The fit and finish is top notch and you would have to try pretty hard to fight the fact that it is made in China (with all due respect many luxury products and electronics are indeed made in PRC).
Performance and Engine:
Benelli TNT 899
Ridden and reviewed by @Sunny
Legend has it that the first TNT 1130 super naked models were almost untamable, wheelie addicts with a certain raw character that you will rarely find in the super refined engines of today. This was in 2004, when the first naked TNT came out. Things have changed since then. The current TNT 899 Naked which I rode is touted to be much more refined and docile monster (pardon the pun which might refer to a certain model of another Italian marque). The engine of this bike was derived from the original 1130 superbike engine that Benelli had developed.
The 899 used to come in two flavors, the T and the S, the latter being introduced in 2008. The two versions differ in suspension, with the S having a fully adjustable front fork. Now it has been consolidated, but surprisingly leaving the ability to adjust the front fork behind. There is still some confusion as to which models are still available globally, but in all probability it will be only 899 TNT, the T version.
She's got the Looks
This was shot by Kulpreet Singh way back in 2007 on The Great Australian Roadtrip (which was done on two Hyosung Gt650Rs, 22000 kms) in Wollongong, Australia near Sydney. I spotted this Benelli and was excited to see the exotic for the first time in my life. I did not know that one day I would be riding it on the Indian roads! This is the 1130 Cafe Racer. I usually never sit and pose on bikes which I do not test ride / own but I made an exception to this one! And what a coincidence - both the brands : Hyosung and Benelli are bought to India by the same company - DSK!
It is touted to be one of the best renditions of the naked motorcycle theme, and I agree. Being an Italian it had to look radical. The first look will leave you intrigued. There is a lot going on to keep your eyes busy. From the unique side mounted radiators to the suave petal discs and the unique front static headlight arrangement that is complemented by the underseat exhaust flanked by interesting two piece taillights and a red swingarm and frame which stands out.
The front 3/4th view looks the best and very meaty for the 899. The most unique visual feature of the 899 has to be the side mounted radiators. But the Benellis have been known to put their radiators in strange places. The Benelli Tornado Tre 1130 had its radiator under the seat (!) and two radiator fans right below the tail, giving it a faux exhaust look which looked really cool!
The instrument console is pretty basic but again functional.
The build quality and workmanship of the 899 (which is made in Italy and not in China) is excellent.
Firing it UpAnd off you go
Speculations and Things to Note:
Looking forward to the Z800, Striple and 899 wars
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