TNT 1130K (2004 - ) review

The TNT is surprisingly small for a big-bore muscle bike. The low 780mm seat height allows even the shortest of legs to comfortably reach the ground – both at the same time! Benelli has managed this by shifting the radiators from under the seat, where they are placed on the Tornado, to either side of the engine, as on a VTR1000.

I eventually managed to get to the ignition, which is buried deep inside a crevice at the front of the fuel tank, and fired the TNT into life.
I’ve always been a fan of the triple engine in almost any bike for the gobs of low down power and an unmistakable sound, and the TNT is no exception. The single underseat exhaust pipe growled like a cornered beast as we headed up to the hills in search of dry roads.

With one of the best low-down torque figures in its class, the TNT was likely to be fairly unmanageable in the wet, tricky conditions but the mighty TNT felt almost docile with a faultlessly smooth power delivery – great for town work and coping with a typical summer’s day in Britain.

However, on one occasion when I had taken my right hand off the bars to look for a gap in the traffic on a motorway, I nearly managed to throw myself off the back as I re-opened the throttle. Nothing for a nanosecond, then all 137 horses took off at once, although to be fair, I couldn’t get it to do it again, try as I might.

It was obvious within a few miles that the TNT wasn’t designed for long distance work with big wide bars for better leverage and manoeuvrability, high footrests for greater ground clearance and a reasonably ‘firm’ seat.

The headlight arrangement acts as a fairly good wind deflector on open roads though, so don’t be too put off it as a bike to commute on. But this isn’t what the TNT was designed for and, cope that it may, it would be a shame to waste the machine’s potential.

The TNT is all about being a rebel, a hooligan, and a streetfighter. Supersport-sharp handling and monster wheelies – it was like being 17 all over again. Suddenly, the TNT was starting to make sense; it felt more and more at home as the pace quickened. The massively grunty 1130cc engine, with bags of ground clearance and a stiff chassis would be a match for any sports bike along a twisty country road.

Parked up, the bike looked so short and squat I was expecting it to drop sharply into turns, but to my surprise the TNT felt extremely neutral and well balanced. The suspension absorbed most of the rough stuff and doesn’t feel like it needs a steering damper.

Despite Benelli insisting the TNT is a totally new bike for them – and it is in many respects – there were always going to be similarities between the Tornado family and the new TNT. The Corsa Lunga, or long stroke engine, has the same basic layout as the Tornado motor, but as the name suggests, it has a longer stroke. Although the actual cylinder bore remains the same, modified inlet cams and longer intake and exhaust ducts have all helped to lower peak rpm and boost low-down power and torque levels.

Gear selection on Tornados can often feel a bit on the stiff side; not so with the TNT. Oil flow rate to the primary shaft grooves and redesigned gear profiles have helped to provide a smoother, more positive gear change.

The Brembo brakes are taken straight from the standard Tornado and, just as on the donor bike, are plenty sharp enough, while still
offering enough feel to cope with most riding conditions you’ll encounter – and we experienced most of them in a single day.

Many parts have been designed specifically for the TNT and those include a handmade lightweight tubular alloy swingarm with a pair of over-sized eccentric chain adjusters that add to the overall mean look, a 2.5mm thick die-cast alloy sub-frame and a unique headlight arrangement, which includes no less than six headlight bulbs.

Had it not been for the low seat height, the limited turning circle would have caught a short-arse like me out, although I guess there are few out there shorter than me, and it only caused a slight problem when turning around in the middle of the road for pictures. That said, there is very little, if anything, that needs to be changed on the TNT.

The TNT is surprisingly small for a big-bore muscle bike. The low 780mm seat height allows even the shortest of legs to comfortably reach the ground – both at the same time! Benelli has managed this by shifting the radiators from under the seat, where they are placed on the Tornado, to either side of the engine, as on a VTR1000.

I eventually managed to get to the ignition, which is buried deep inside a crevice at the front of the fuel tank, and fired the TNT into life.
I’ve always been a fan of the triple engine in almost any bike for the gobs of low down power and an unmistakable sound, and the TNT is no exception. The single underseat exhaust pipe growled like a cornered beast as we headed up to the hills in search of dry roads.

With one of the best low-down torque figures in its class, the TNT was likely to be fairly unmanageable in the wet, tricky conditions but the mighty TNT felt almost docile with a faultlessly smooth power delivery – great for town work and coping with a typical summer’s day in Britain.

However, on one occasion when I had taken my right hand off the bars to look for a gap in the traffic on a motorway, I nearly managed to throw myself off the back as I re-opened the throttle. Nothing for a nanosecond, then all 137 horses took off at once, although to be fair, I couldn’t get it to do it again, try as I might.

It was obvious within a few miles that the TNT wasn’t designed for long distance work with big wide bars for better leverage and manoeuvrability, high footrests for greater ground clearance and a reasonably ‘firm’ seat.

The headlight arrangement acts as a fairly good wind deflector on open roads though, so don’t be too put off it as a bike to commute on. But this isn’t what the TNT was designed for and, cope that it may, it would be a shame to waste the machine’s potential.

The TNT is all about being a rebel, a hooligan, and a streetfighter. Supersport-sharp handling and monster wheelies – it was like being 17 all over again. Suddenly, the TNT was starting to make sense; it felt more and more at home as the pace quickened. The massively grunty 1130cc engine, with bags of ground clearance and a stiff chassis would be a match for any sports bike along a twisty country road.

Parked up, the bike looked so short and squat I was expecting it to drop sharply into turns, but to my surprise the TNT felt extremely neutral and well balanced. The suspension absorbed most of the rough stuff and doesn’t feel like it needs a steering damper.

Despite Benelli insisting the TNT is a totally new bike for them – and it is in many respects – there were always going to be similarities between the Tornado family and the new TNT. The Corsa Lunga, or long stroke engine, has the same basic layout as the Tornado motor, but as the name suggests, it has a longer stroke. Although the actual cylinder bore remains the same, modified inlet cams and longer intake and exhaust ducts have all helped to lower peak rpm and boost low-down power and torque levels.

Gear selection on Tornados can often feel a bit on the stiff side; not so with the TNT. Oil flow rate to the primary shaft grooves and redesigned gear profiles have helped to provide a smoother, more positive gear change.

The Brembo brakes are taken straight from the standard Tornado and, just as on the donor bike, are plenty sharp enough, while still
offering enough feel to cope with most riding conditions you’ll encounter – and we experienced most of them in a single day.

Many parts have been designed specifically for the TNT and those include a handmade lightweight tubular alloy swingarm with a pair of over-sized eccentric chain adjusters that add to the overall mean look, a 2.5mm thick die-cast alloy sub-frame and a unique headlight arrangement, which includes no less than six headlight bulbs.

Had it not been for the low seat height, the limited turning circle would have caught a short-arse like me out, although I guess there are few out there shorter than me, and it only caused a slight problem when turning around in the middle of the road for pictures. That said, there is very little, if anything, that needs to be changed on the TNT.