Re: Benelli TNT 300 Ownership Experience

Guys, I am facing a peculiar problem with my TNT 300 and it has developed lately due to riding on potholes and bad roads in Mumbai. The front forks and the handle bar has become super loose recently. Am not getting the same confidence I got earlier while cornering. I remember I used to tighten the handle screw on my FZ-S once in a while from my mechanic and the forks used to hold up for another 300-500 kms or 2-3 months. Am not sure if the same trick will work on the 300. Can anybody throw some light on this.

Re: Benelli TNT 300 Ownership Experience

Hi,
The issue was with the rear axel bearings.
I started for ISG2G Madikere on 2nd. Just a day before that DSK workshop fixed the rear alloy. I was not even sure on 1st evening if I can travel on 2nd. But the guys did the job & my motorcycle was ready on 1st evening.
I started early morning for Pune from where me & Alok were suppose to ride together to Madikere & back. Everything went fine till Hubli where we took rest in the evening. Started a bit late as Alok's Duke was due for 1st service & we decided to get it done in Hubli itself. Started riding towards Madikere by 1:30PM. By the time we reached Chikmagalur it was 8:30PM. By mistake we missed a left turn so I slowed down to take a U-turn & that's when I heard a strange banging noise coming from the center or rear of the motorcycle. At first I thought may be it is coming due to the helmet so I ignored it. Before leaving Chikmagalur we decided to fuel up & finish the dinner. At the pump I asked Alok if he heard any noise coming from back. He denied. Then I removed the helmet & took the motorcycle for a short spin in the fuel pump area. I could still here the same noise. I asked Alok to ride it & he too felt it. Initially we thought it may be the dried up chain so we lubricated the chain as well. While moving towards the restaurant I could still hear the noise. I felt as if a nut had come loose. Alok also thought of damaged rear bearing. Back of my mind I started thinking of staying back at Chikmagalur, calling RSA & take the motorcycle back to Bangalore workshop to fix it as I needed to return to Mumbai on/before 6th. Which meant workshop guys will have half a day to fix it. The locals at the restaurant as well as the guys at Kodagu too asked us not to ride in the night to Madikere, so we decided halt at Chikmagalur. In the mean time I decided to return to Bangalore to fix the issue. Called up RSA at around 12AM. RSA guys told me that my motorcycle will be picked up from Chickmagalur by 6:00AM & will be dropped at Bangalore workshop. From RSA I took the number of Sunil (workshop manager) as well. I called up Devang in Mumbai & asked him to coordinate with Sunil.
The motorcycle was picked from Chickmagalur by 6:30AM & was dropped at the workshop by 11:30AM. I took the bus from Chikmagalur & reached Bangalore workshop by 4:00PM. On the way I called Sunil & told him the issue & also spoke with John (Mumbai) & asked him to coordinate with Sunil.
Ahen I reached the workshop the motorcycle was cleaned & waiting to be serviced. Sunil told me that it may be due to the loose & dry chain. But I told him that we did lubricate the chain but still noise didn't not go. He wanted to be sure so he cleaned the chain & adjusted the chain slack. Unfortunately the noise remained as is. Finally they decided to open the rear axle. Fortunately Sanjay the Service Planning head & Service Manager, Shyam was there. And as soon as the wheel was removed Sanjay pointed out the damaged bearing. While removing the axel Sunil observed that the rear axle nut was over tightened & the rear wheel alignment also was not correct. When I checked the grease on the bearing I could feel the metal burrs on my fingers, from this you can imagine the damage. It was a good decision not to ride motorcycle to Madikere in that condition.
So incorrect tightening of the rear axle nut has caused the failure of axle bearing. I already spoke with Mumbai workshop guys & informed them about the issue. I'll visit the workshop in the weekend & have a word regarding the whole issue.
After fixing the rear wheel the next day I rode to Mumbai from Tumkur & covered the entire distance in a day & found no other issue so far.
Sunil & Shyam were very helpful.
But there are few things due to which I was disappointed:
1. Why care was not taken while tightening of the rear axle nut? No Torque wrench was used. This care is taken in any type of motorcycles. In Bangalore workshop they do have Torque wrenches.
2. The stock bearings were not available in the workshop due to which they had to buy SKF bearings from the local store which was not stock (without oil seal). The spare parts management system is not online & daily they keep the track of spare parts inventory manually.
3. I had to pay for the bearings which made me really disappointed. Shyam too agreed & now the cost will be reimbursed/adjusted later. Labour was not charged. It was the mistake by DSK & they should own the responsibility.
4. No courtesy call made by Mumbai guys, not to me not to even Sunil, just to check what was the issue & if it had been fixed. I had to call them yesterday & explain everything.
If care would have taken while mounting the rear alloy, the trip would have been successful, but unfortunately technicians are not careful while working on these machines which means that you need to be watchful & vigilant during service especially when you are planning for a long distance trip.

Re: Benelli TNT 300 Ownership Experience

So, it seems high powered vehicles are sensitive to the torque number mentioned by the manufacturers. Its better we buy torque wrench on our own and tighten to factory spec.
You mean failure of bearing?

While removing the axel Sunil observed that the rear axle nut was over tightened & the rear wheel alignment also was not correct.
So in correct tightening of the rear axle nut has caused the failure of engine.

Re: Benelli TNT 300 Ownership Experience

Sorry to hear that Abhijit. But atleast bike is fine now. Seems DSK ghost will haunt Benelli also. While they're busy celebrating 100th bike sell, their service quality remains the same. Aren't they supposed to use torque wrench while tightning the nuts.

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Re: Benelli TNT 300 Ownership Experience

Call up Omkar & get it checked at the workshop.
Not only bigger capacity motorcycles but any type. I had similar issue with my Fz-S but that time sound was not that prominent. That is the reason in the service manual manufacturers provide Torque details for every bolt. Few months back for Fz-S I was searching for a Torque wrench to but it's a costly affair & for these motorcycles I feel do not risk it by fixing it by yourself. Workshops are the best places to diagnose & fix the issues.
Yes failure of bearings. It was a typo, I was feeling very sleepy when I wrote that. Now added few other details as well.
Yes, I had a word with Mumbai workshop manager regarding this, also with Sanjay & Shyam. In the weekend I'll go to workshop & have word with the DSK guy there.
But we should not compare DSK-Hyosung with DSK-Benelli tie up. I was having discussion with Sunil & he told me that he worked for Hyosung as well. Though DSK is only common thing here, the manufacturers are different. Italians-Chinese are pretty serious & they are behind DSK guys for everything. Same thing was told to me by the DSK guy here in Mumbai. So I'm hoping things will improve over time. I told Shyam as well as workshop manager in Mumbai to bring the Mumbai workshop up to the level of Bangalore.
In Mumbai they are having issue with the technicians, the one which they trained had left for better opportunity so that moment no skilled technician was available at the workshop. But DSK's has to deal with it. I asked them if the motorcycle is not going to be ready before 1st then let it be, I'll cancel the trip. The motorcycle was ready a day before but unfortunately poor service has caused the issue which is indeed disappointing.

Re: Benelli TNT 300 Ownership Experience

Haha.. I took the bike to the road where the Music academy and Savera hotel is located, where there is a bridge too. I dont know the name of the road.
Luckily the road was almost traffic free so i could push the bike. Also, i just touched 11k rpm and didnt ride at 11k rpm for a longer duration.

Re: Benelli TNT 300 Ownership Experience

Dr RK Salai

You booked yours?

Re: Benelli TNT 300 Ownership Experience

Guess that the road that connects to the Citi-Centre, If I am not wrong, Its called Dr.Radhakrishnan Salai

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Yes, He has booked Black with Red-Trestle frame.

Re: Benelli TNT 300 Ownership Experience


Oh ok. Ya i booked mine last saturday. and i am out of benelli videos to watch

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Ya its the same road. and didnt you test ride in that road ?

Re: Benelli TNT 300 Ownership Experience

No, I did my TD in GN Chetty road (near ABS BBQ) and connected back to the Kamaraj Auditorium and went straight from there to the Cathedral road and took a U-turn and came back to the showroom.

Re: Benelli TNT 300 Ownership Experience

Oh ok. i really wanted to test ride 600i. but the last couple of times i went there i had to ride 300 as that was the one which suits my needs.
May be next time, want to hear the harmony of the i4 sitting on the saddle.

Re: Benelli TNT 300 Ownership Experience

[MENTION=49942]experimentalhead[/MENTION] -

Which Insurance Policy was given with the purchase of your bike ?
Was it Zero Depreciation ?

The showroom guys told me that they have tie up with one Liberty Videocon. Need to check for more details though.

Re: Benelli TNT 300 Ownership Experience

In Mumbai, the guy told me that it's zero dep. I have the option to take either from reliance or HDFC

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Re: Benelli TNT 300 Ownership Experience

This is the Most Amazing Wind screen for the T3 i have seen

Re: Benelli TNT 300 Ownership Experience

This looks nice ... I have not found good options in India yet for after market products for the T3.

Don't you think the screen will cut into headlight beam ?