Following their 2002 Tornado Tré sportbike, Benelli’s successful TNT all-around bike was the re-vamped company’s foray into the liter-plus-class. Testing the roiling naked-sport waters, Benelli put many advancements and quality components into the Tornado Naked Tré 1130. RSBFS regular Iconic Motorbikes offers this 2007 TNT and though it’s not perfect, its ability to draw a crowd sets it apart.
2007 Benelli TNT1130 Sport for sale on eBay
The TNT Sport expanded on the company’s 4-valve triple, with a fairly extreme 130 hp and 87 ft.-lbs. torque. The hybrid chassis combines steel trellis with cast head and connectors, with Marzocchi 50mm forks and dual-adjustable monoshock. A “power control” button on the dash reduces rear-wheel hp for rain events or cold tires. Side rads and integral turn signals are part of the red and black jagged-flow design. Brakes are Brembo Serie Oro, and their black wheels complete the picture.
With just over 9,000 miles, this Sport has been in a low-speed mishap, but except for a few scrapes and a cracked fairing boss, it shows quite well. Much too rare to be festooned with farkles. From the eBay auction:
Horsepower is right around 135 HP and a torque curve that’s sure to loft the front wheel in the air.
Funky side mounted radiators, a single high center exhaust, futuristic “alien like” styling and nothing short of brilliant engineering will most certainly get you second looks wherever you go! This was one of Benelli’s last true innovative bikes that they released.
When released the magazines and reviews all agreed that it had amazing handling, fantastic power and one of the best naked bikes on the market.
As far as this particular bike, pretty much stock with a carbon fiber front fender, CRG levers and just the OEM awesome styling such as the HUGE diameter front forks, the swept design hollow spoke wheels, the two tone seat and a taillight that wraps around the exhaust….SO COOL!
Reviews praised the TNT’s up-to-date handling, but a few electrical gremlins played havoc with Bennelli’s reputation. Even Cycle World’s long-term test article was a bit of hangar queen, claiming only 1,300 miles over their second six months. Though still based in Italy, Benelli now has an Asian partner and has been concentrating on that market. But for a fan of the brand or just off-beat super nakeds, the TNT1130 has a lot to recommend it.
-donn
I’d be more inclined to lust after this beast if the brand hadn’t been cheapened under Chinese ownership.
I demoed a TnT 1130 when they were new. It was like a high strung speed triple (in a good way). Don’t have any info on the electronics, but the rest of the bike was awesome!
I drooled over these when they were new and the US importer had examples at Mid Ohio vintage days. The details on the bikes are amazing – footpeg brackets, triple clamps, the oversized forks, swingarm eccentrics… heck even the mirrors and turn signals have Italian style! They had one of these Sports and also a ‘Cafe Racer’ model that was a really nice gold/metallic color – to me its the one to have. I looked into buying one but there’s zero support for them in the US (that initial US distributor wasn’t up to the task and the current distributor only supports the smaller/newer models). If there was decent parts availability here (or even in Europe – its spotty over there too now) I’d own one – they are just so well detailed and unique and from what I read, are fairly reliable once some minor issues are worked out.
Thank you once again for the post RSBFS! Love this site! This bike is a consignment bike from a good friend of ours Kaming Ko. We only put a small 300 fee on the deal but if someone wants it for the 6000 Net to seller they can have it as it’s all good to help a buddy out. I took it for a quick ride when it first came in, bike had some solid power for sure! I thought….what if we make this our “shop bike” for when clients are having their bikes worked on. Our insurance guy laughed at me, apparently an 1130 isn’t a good idea for a loaner, damn!!!!! Trades always considered but must be cool or even cool parts!
Yeah, it’s a shame they didn’t succeed with these. I’d heard similar things about them, and followed a project bike Tornado in either Fast Bikes or Performance Bikes that had a pretty positive experience with it: the bike was solid mechanically, with a few electrical quirks [duh], excellent handling, and enough performance for all but the most power-hungry riders.