Re: Benelli TNT 300 Ownership Experience

@Ballistic [MENTION=24907]dhawz29[/MENTION] I second every word of yours. Congratulations folks. Enjoy the Italian Stallion.

Re: Benelli TNT 300 Ownership Experience

Congratulations to all you guys. I'm eagerly waiting to be on that list too.

But the power figures for this bike is all over the place, like PD says 37 HP and Benelli Australia too, DSK's site has it as 38 HP as well as CycleWorld which test rode BN 302. And some say it's 36 HP. It's all confusing. The weight figure as well, some say it's 196 kgs wet, some say 186 kgs wet, but I'm guessing those who write it as 186 kgs are having 140 rear tires, like in BN 302.

Re: Benelli TNT 300 Ownership Experience

Overthinking is waste of time boy.
If your heart is on it, go for it.

Re: Benelli TNT 300 Ownership Experience

I was sold on the bike the moment I heard that sweet growling parallel twin. Exhilarating!! Before coming to the Benelli Chennai showroom I was at the KTM and heard how the Dukes and RCs sound. I almost got the D390. But after seeing the TNT 300 in flesh, inspecting each and every inch of the bike and listening to the sweet sound, I was sold. My budget was 2.5 lacs but it was worth stretching it. Also there are too many KTMs on road. I'm also paying for exclusivity.

I also looked at the Z250. It looks absolutely smashing but I don't think it has a true naked identity. It's too sporty. It is based on Ninja 250. The rear and the exhaust are the same and that's a turn off. Also the Z300 was already announced by then (at least in the international markets). So why buy this? And the Pro Bike never gave me a test ride. They said "Kawasaki doesn't offer or have a test ride bike". How am I suppose to put down 3.5 lacs of my money without even riding the bike?

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Thanks @experimentalhead !!!

Hey @Gunslingin_Ridr Join the club soon. You won't be one bit disappointed. In fact you'll be overwhelmed.
38 HP @ 10000 RPM

Re: Benelli TNT 300 Ownership Experience

Thanks @eperimentalhead

The same thing went through my head. The components on KTM Duke 390 looked the same as of KTM Duke 200, same design and just a change of decals. I could not come to terms of not being differentiated for having a big toy on the roads. Also The Duke 390 though being a fantastic machine did not have touring capabilities like large fuel tank, pillion seat, plush seat quality. Also some of the fellow Duke owners complained of heating issues, starting problems, engine shut down. Last but not the least, the Duke 390 did not look or feel premium to me to spend INR 2.5 lakhs on it. The quality of the Duke 390 available here is much inferior to the same being offered in Europe which put me off.

The Z250 is just a customized Ninja 250. Apart from some of the exterior touches its the same bike being customized by the Kawasaki engineers and also remapped ECU resulting in some high torque in low rev range. Some of the decals on it are a overkill. When I want a street naked, I wont want too many racing decals, also I would want as much of the engine components and frame to be exposed. This put me off.

The above is just a representation of my thoughts on how I narrowed down on the Benelli. I second your opinion [MENTION=24907]dhawz29[/MENTION], too many KTMs on the road, I enjoy my exclusivity and the Benelli has its share of admirers and onlookers, it grabs attention amidst traffic and in petrol pumps, looks dashing and stands out among the crowd.

@Gunslingin_Ridr it has maximum power of 37.73 BHP @ 11500 (Redline) RPM with maximum torque of 26.5 NM @ 10000 rpm, has a dry weight of 186 kilos and wet weight of 196 kilos. It can hit a top speed of 160 km/hr (thats just 6% slower than the Ninja 300) if you can keep buzzing the engine around the redline for long. This baby is very nimble when it comes to maneuvering within the city.

Re: Benelli TNT 300 Ownership Experience

Bad reviews about metz on dukes in wet :what: May b the ones who gave that opinion were high on meth or low on metz ( worn out treads or uneven wear n tear or just a sour grape conundrum ) Am a D390 owner myself and am yet to experience the shortcomings of Metz. I haven't tested the the Pirellis but I can vouch for the Metz in both the dry n wet conditions. It just grips like a leech. But I would not like to take away the awesomeness of TnT 300. It's truly an Italian masterpiece most suitable for our roads. And how can I not mention that aural delight!!

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Re: Benelli TNT 300 Ownership Experience

I stand corrected. I just hope the Pirellis inspire the same confidence, still to test it extensively. I would have loved the adventure/enduro version of the Duke 390, would have loved to make a trip to Leh on that. Though am keen to attempt a road trip to Leh on my Benelli this year or the next . Lets see if it materializes.

Yups the aural delight is what got me hooked to this beast, the other features were looked into after I revved the engine hard several times only to hear the exhaust.

Re: Benelli TNT 300 Ownership Experience

All other shortcomings that you have mentioned about d390 is true to some extent. Hard seats, harder suspension and the hardest thing is the puny tank which all make it not so suitable for touring. No exclusivity factor. But apart from these some electrical and other issues have been addressed by bajaj ktm promptly. And the newer lot even gets the slipper clutch. You cannot also deny the fact that d390 is more bike per rupee n ktm changed the game of entry level affordable performance bikes in India. Seeimg the success of ktm, more n more companies are now entering into the affordable performace bike segment and are compelled to price their products competitively, it is good for us enthusiasts, we can now own and upkeep something good without breaking a bank. Whatever it is, she just puts a wide grin on my face whenever I ride her and that is what we pay for. Hope even the TNT does the same to it's owners. The reviews have been positive for this Italian all over, happy long term ownership will further cement it's place amongst us.

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Re: Benelli TNT 300 Ownership Experience

Yea may be I am riding after a long time that is why I was a little uncomfortable with it. But that was mostly due to the spread between the clutch and grip. It will be fine I guess as I keep on riding it for some time.

Re: Benelli TNT 300 Ownership Experience

I never found clutch to be on harder side. Even on Avenger I have never found clutch to be hard. I guess ignorance is bliss

Re: Benelli TNT 300 Ownership Experience

Yups, I agree with you that KTM Duke 390 is the jewel in Bajaj's crown, and at that price point that bike is a steal and also compels other manufacturers to correct their prices. But somehow due the previous mentioned reasons, the Duke did not appeal to me. However, it is truly a game changer and a cracker of a motorcycle, the way that beast revs definitely puts a wide grin every time one rides the beast.

Re: Benelli TNT 300 Ownership Experience

I completely agree. I too considered Duke. But, somehow it did not appeal to me even before I came across Benelli. Nonetheless, there is no arguing that Duke is any lesser of a bike. But many who have not seen Benelli, just dismiss the Italian by comparing it to Duke purely on basis of pricing when fact is Benelli comes with a far better fit and finish and offers a twin mill.

Re: Benelli TNT 300 Ownership Experience

First of all to all guys who have got the Benelli congrats on the decision made.
Initially I was in the market for a family bike like a splendor. Then I thought let me check out Yamaha fz as it was more appealing and most of my friends said that it trouble free go for it. Went to a showroom nearby home and like how it looks and the presence and was sold. Told the sales manager that I will come on Thursday and pay the booking amount. I was there at showroom and the manager was attending few prospective buyers. Meanwhile I was checking Google and found the Benelli announcement. I was like wow this looks awesome, but my budget did not allow me to go ahead.
A friends brother who is a hardcore biker said that I should check it out once and he himself has 390. I thought let me check once and was on xbhp checking for some reviews, none found. Meanwhile changed my mind left the showroom telling the manger that I had some urgent work.
Few days passed trying to put across my idea of a mid range sports bike, like any other middle class family I was shooed away.
There was this auto show in Bangalore and Benelli had showcased its masterpieces and I was bowled over by its shear presence. That's when I decided that this is it. Now convincing is a tough job I will do it. It will take time but will do it, I am able to convince everyone at work and why not at home?
Came back home and showed the brochure at home. As usual negative saying why a bike and that too this expensive. You are a family guy go ahead upgrade your car.
Meanwhile i was also looking to upgrade my car to XUV 5OO. My dream car and dream suv. Heard there was new version coming up and went with wife and kid to book it, however was not happy in the financial front and also the way the sales manger spoke to us. That was the nail that hit hard, came back home discussed with wife that I am going for the bike and it's going to be Benelli 300. As usual all financial were discussed and it was kind of yes from mom and also wife. Meanwhile applied bike loan through hdfc. Loan was approved in a day and was ready for disbursement as I have good standing with them.
Meanwhile I was talking to Raghu [MENTION=77402]Rolling[/MENTION] and he told me that the price may increase and on this day I told my wife that I am going the next day to book for this bike. She was like you have not test driven and you want to book I said yes! My am going by my heart this time no matter what.
She said she will come, called Manjunath from the showroom and fixed an appointment. Went next day asked for a test ride because of wife, made her sit during the ride and she was comfortable. My son was like daddy you are buying this superbike I said yes. That's it! Paid the booking amount got the angel in like 4 days.

Let me tell you, I'm not a racer but yes need a bike which is powerful and can deliver when needed, this angel meets my demand and my need
.



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Re: Benelli TNT 300 Ownership Experience

Congrats and a fantastic choice Wish you thousands of happy and safe miles

Re: Benelli TNT 300 Ownership Experience

Exactly my thoughts too!

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Thanks [MENTION=76753]ironmarine[/MENTION]

Many congratulations to you!!! The red frame and shocks look amazing!