Re: Benelli TNT 300 Ownership Experience

I mean if it's ok to change engine oil once in 8000kms, why not implement it in normal service package also.

Re: Benelli TNT 300 AMC / Prepaid Service Plans

Great info Binil. But I still have a few questions:
1. How can they pre-calculate the cost of all these future services? How is the amount mentioned for spare-parts decided in the prepaid plan?
2. What would happen if you need a spare part in one of your future services, which was not included in their prepaid plan?

Re: Benelli TNT 300 AMC / Prepaid Service Plans

This question the dealer/svc do not have an answer for ... May be someone can float it to the DSK Service Team.

1. The spares that are included in the cost are only the items that are to be replaced at a particular service as per the service booklet. Like, spark plugs, air filter, oil filter, oil, coolant, etc.
2. Any spare apart from whats listed in the service interval booklet - will be charged as actual + labor charge. eg. Brake Pads, Chain Sprocket etc.

Re: Benelli TNT 300 AMC / Prepaid Service Plans

Got it. Thanks

Re: Benelli TNT 300 Ownership Experience

Well! When DSK folks reached out to few of us, one of the suggestions provided by me personally was to increase the interval between oil changes and I suggested that every alternate service should be a top up required only after checking oil condition. I am not saying that they went by my suggestion. But probably they might have thought along same lines as 2400 Rupees just for oil will be saved. But, yes! if they can provide this oil change interval in AMC, then why not in regular service. Only DSK folks can answer this question. But this at least is a good development.

Re: Benelli TNT 300 Ownership Experience

I was wondering r there any weekend rides planned in Bangalore ??

Re: Benelli TNT 300 Ownership Experience

Akhil, breakfast rides happen literally every weekend. Binil is Bangalore Whatsapp group admin. PM him. He will add you.

Re: Benelli TNT 300 Ownership Experience

Thks man. Binil pls add me to that group. My contact 9945673372

Re: Benelli TNT 300 Ownership Experience

Added you to the group.

Benelli TNT 300 Longterm Ownership Experience

Long Term Ownership Review – Benelli TNT 300

Read the first part of the series here – 7000km Ownership Review

I have covered 24000kms on Aarini, and it’s time for another update on my ownership of the Benelli TNT 300. I will not be repeating most of the things I have mentioned in Part 1. Here it will be more of my ownership experience with the motorcycle, usage and issues.

I have done multiple trips over the 20 odd months, including a 5000km trip across the west coast of India for 18 days. One thing I can say right away is that this motorcycle is totally at home when on the highway, munching miles, as it tours across a myriad of landscapes. Good roads or bad, Aarini munched away the roads like a piece of cake. Mind you, all my trips I have travelled with my better half as a pillion. The Benelli TNT 300 is very comfortable with two people on and with all the luggage we were carrying. The below image (images in blog - click link) will give you an idea of how we were loaded during the 18 days trip.

Even with all this load, we faced no issues riding all the way to Kutch from Bangalore and back down the coast of Maharashtra. The motorcycle did not feel stressed or out of power even when it was tackling the Western Ghats. The tall gearing helped us effortlessly cover distances, day after day.

Manufacturing Defects
Consumables & Rate of consumption

– My front brake pads are still running the stock set. For my rear brakes, I am on my 3rd Set. The first two were replaced during the 8k and 16k service. My second set of rear brake pads got replaced at 22k, a little premature, probably to the disc crack issue or due to us running a higher load than usual. Here, I would like to point out that the life of brake pads is totally dependent on riding environment and individual riding styles. I have not met a single fellow rider who has got the same life out of his brake pads.

– 3 Litres replaced every 4000 km. Yes, I hate the fact that the manufacturer forces you to change oil every 4000 km. The oil definitely has more life left in it. In my opinion, I feel that the oil change interval should be 6000km, at least. Replaced oil filter every time I replaced the engine oil. UPDATE – DSK Benelli has come with an AMC scheme (will discuss in detail on this later) in which the oil change interval has been updated to 8000kms. This move will help reduce ownership costs.

– One replaced every 8k km. The stock ones are the basic foam filters. The plan is to change to DNA Air Filters. There is a stock replacement model available.

– A pair replaced each at 12000kms and 24000kms.

– The motorcycle was shod with Pirelli Angel ST as stock. Replaced the tyres at about 23500km on the odometer. I was looking for the Angel GT as the replacement but the availability of the 160 size tyres was an issue. Came across the Metzeler M7RR Sportec and liked the review and ratings. The M7RRs are stickier than the Angel STs, so I am expecting a slightly less mileage. Review on both the tyres will be posted soon.

Aftermarket Add-Ons
OSRAM Night Breaker UnlimitedAli Express(pictures shared in blog)Puig Rafale Universal Windscreen – works well for solo riding but is of no help for pillion, hence removed now. It caused a lot of buffeting on Pillion’s helmet.

Overall, the motorcycle has been a great experience. I wish I could say the same about the cost of ownership. The service is quite good, however, very expensive for a 300cc motorcycle. At 22000km, in less than 1.5 years, I had already spent a little over Rs. 50000/- on routine maintenance, which includes regular service, oil change and consumables like brake pads. That’s like over Rs. 2/km and it does not include fuel expense, of course. You can maintain a car at less than this.

I did raise the concern with DSK Benelli and I am sure many other owners did the same. The good news is, as I had mentioned earlier, the manufacturer has come up with an AMC option. This is reducing the cost of service by almost 30% annually. They also have plans to localise spares like the brake pads and chain sprockets to reduce the costs. How effective is this going to be? Well, we will have to wait and watch. I will update on this later.

To sum my experience, all I would say is that the Benelli TNT 300 is an able tourer which can be a street hooligan if you want it too. And sounds the part too. This is by far the most melodious sounding motorcycle in this segment. If DSK Benelli can help owners by reducing the overall ownership cost, they will be around for good. The bikes are built rock solid and I for one have not come across any major issues. And if at all they did come, they are machines, after all, the service centre was able to sort it out, right away.

More updates at a later date. Ciao.

Re: Benelli TNT 300 Ownership Experience

Where to get front number plate bracket?

Re: Benelli TNT 300 Ownership Experience

Comes with the bike ... Right ?

Re: Benelli TNT 300 Ownership Experience

Re: Benelli TNT 300 Ownership Experience

These are the AMC packages

Re: Benelli TNT 300 Ownership Experience

Absolutely worth.