Sunday, 29 January 2017

Benelli Tornado (2003) Top speed, Maximum power, Transmission type

Posted By: ygshhd 21:50 Leave a Reply

Benelli Tornado Tre

Benelli took an ambitious approach after the famous old Italian marque had been reborn in the late 1990s under the control of Andrea Merloni, a wealthy bike enthusiast whose family owned white-goods brands Indesit and Ariston. As well as producing scooters, Benelli began development of a radical 898cc, three- cylinder super-sports bike, the Tornado, and boldly entered it against the Japanese giants in the World Superbike race series.

Despite Merloni's money, Benelli lacked the budget to make the triple competitive in the World Superbikes. But the Tornado roadster that followed was a striking and cleverly designed machine that put the firm right back in the limelight. One reason that Benelli’s race team had struggled financially was the firm had undertaken the expensive design and production of its own engine, unlike other young Italian marques that had introduced V-twins using bought-in powerplants. In roadgoing form the dohc, 12-valve triple put out a respectable I43bhp at ll.500rpm.

The Tornado, shaped by young British designer Adrian Morton, was especially notable for its chassis. This featured a frame of steel tubes and aluminium sections that were glued together, in aero-industry fashion. The radiator was located under the seat, fed by air drawn by a pair of fans in the tailpiece. This layout allowed the engine to be moved forward in the frame, putting plenty of weight over the front wheel, though it had the drawback of a tall seat.

The triple was introduced in 2002 with the Tornado Limited Edition, an expensive machine of which just 150 units were built. This was a faithful replica of the works Superbike racer, with magnesium engine components, adjustable steering geometry and swingarm pivot, plus quality cycle parts from Ohlins, Marchesini and Brembo. It scorched towards a maximum speed of about I70mph (274km/h) with a distinctive three-cylinder feel and an evocative exhaust howl. Carbon-fibre bodywork and forged aluminium wheels helped reduce dry weight to 407lb (185kg). further

The Tornado’s curvaceous bodywork reflected the bike’s innovative design, which featured a glued-together frame plus a cooling system based on an under-seat radiator, fed by twin fans in the tailpiece. Performance was equally distinctive, combining taut handling and three-cylinder character with a unique sound from the airbox and three-into-one exhaust. sharpening the racer-like handling. Few production roadsters came anywhere near as close to replicating the taut, aggressive feel of a full factory Superbike.

A year later the triple reached the street in bigger numbers with the launch of the cheaper Tornado Tre, which combined a near-identical engine and frame with bodywork in conventional plastic, and less exotic cycle parts: forks from Marzocchi of Italy, and a shock from Anglo-Italian firm Extreme Technology. At 4361b (198kg) the Tre was heavier than the Limited Edition, but it still handled and stopped very well. And its big three- cylinder motor was thrillingly powerful, flexible and bursting with character.

Perhaps it was inevitable that a bike that had been unveiled back in 1999 didn’t have all- conquering performance when finally it reached production almost four years later. But the Tornado Tre was still quick and light enough to be a very enjoyable roadster, as well as a very stylish one. In 2005, Benelli’s growing financial problems led to the firm being bought by Chinese bike company Qianjiang. But the new owners’ plans to continue production of the three-cylinder range at the existing factory in Pesaro meant that the Tornado story looked set to continue.

Naked Triple - the TNT

Benelli produced another striking triple in 2004 when the firm entered the naked bike market with the TNT, powered by an 1131 cc long-stroke version of the Tornado's dohc 12-valve engine. Peak output was reduced slightly to 135bhp, but the TNT - short for Tornado Naked Tre - had extra midrange torque, boosted by a new high- level exhaust system.

Combining the Tornado's aluminium and steel frame with high-quality suspension parts ensured that the naked Benelli handled superbly. Although expensive, its blend of style, storming performance and three-cylinder character made the TNT popular as well as great fun to ride.

Benelli Tornado Tre Ex-showroom Price,On Road Price in India

The first Tornado to hit the streets was the Limited Edition, whose paintwork in Benelli’s traditional green and silver hinted that this was effectively a road going version of the race bike ridden in the World Superbike Championship by Peter Goddard, the Pesaro firm’s Australian works rider. The exotic triple had a few rough edges but was thrillingly light and fast.

Specification Benelli Tornado Tre (2003)