2017 Benelli TnT600 Tornado Review

by Tom Roderick

June 12th, 2017 11:56 AM

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A rare naked inline-four-cylinder in the wild

When it comes to naked inline-Four 600cc streetfighters, Benelli’s TnT600 Tornado is in a class of its own due to an absence of competitors. Similar motorcycles exist in parallel-Twin form from Honda (CB500F $6,099), Kawasaki (Z650 $6,999), Yamaha (FZ-07 $7,199), and a V-Twin from Suzuki (SV650 $6,999), but each of those is two pistons shy of the four-cylinder Benelli. However, just last week Honda announced that its four-cylinder CB650F (a naked middleweight based on the faired CBR650F) will be imported to America beginning this August for the 2018 model year. A price has yet to be announced, but we expect an MSRP around $8k.

Honda announces the CB650F is coming stateside for 2018

For anyone currently shopping in this range of price and performance, we urge you to sit tight a while longer because we have a shootout brewing between most of the aforementioned models (sans the just-announced CB650F). From it we’ll decipher strengths and weaknesses, and how each compares to the other. Until then, consider this single-bike review of the Benelli an appetizer to the main course.

2017 benelli tnt600 tornado review, The measured curb weight of 512 pounds for the TnT600 is relatively hefty for a 600cc motorcycle and the placement of the exhaust cans make it seem even heavier However underseat exhaust is clean and attractive and the TnT600 is one of the few new bikes out there sporting the style

The measured curb weight of 512 pounds for the TnT600 is relatively hefty for a 600cc motorcycle, and the placement of the exhaust cans make it seem even heavier. However, underseat exhaust is clean and attractive, and the TnT600 is one of the few new bikes out there sporting the style.

The TnT600 isn’t a new model, originally announced circa 2006, and made public at the 2012 EICMA show after Benelli had been purchased by the Qianjian Group. The underseat exhaust rage of the time indicates the TnT600’s age, and there’s even a family resemblance to the earlier, more exotic TnT 1130 model reviewed here.

Producing a claimed 82 crank horsepower should put the TnT in the mix of rear-wheel horsepower of the KTM 690 Duke, FZ-07, and SV650 (70ish) when we measured those last year. All those bikes peak between 8500 and 9000 rpm, while the Benelli and its inline-Four spin up to a peak of 11,500 rpm. And, it’s not the quickest spinning engine, taking its time to reach its peak power and exacerbating the engine’s weak midrange (38.5 lb.-ft. at 9000 rpm claimed at its crankshaft compared to 44.9 measured lb.-ft. at 8100 rpm for the SV650).

2017 benelli tnt600 tornado review, The linkageless rear shock is adjustable for preload and rebound damping It performs modestly well at least better than the non adjustable inverted fork Shift lever throw is way longer than it should be and shifting feels sloppy

The linkageless rear shock is adjustable for preload and rebound damping. It performs modestly well, at least better than the non-adjustable inverted fork. Shift lever throw is way longer than it should be and shifting feels sloppy.

The Benelli’s front end must contend with a variety of riding situations from commuter to canyon carver for a variety of sizes of riders. It’s a big ask, and the TnT performs as good, if not a little better, than can be expected of an inverted 50mm fork with no adjustability. Definitely somewhat soft for comfortably going fast, but for the newer to intermediate rider we expect this bike to attract, it’ll perform fine until it’s time to buy a new bike. The rear shock adjustable for preload and rebound damping is a little more capable of handling the variety of tasks asked of it.

Braking performance from the TnT’s dual 320mm front discs and radial-mount calipers isn’t what we’d call confidence inspiring. Pull at the lever is substantial to get the binders really working – to the point of concern that you’re applying so much pressure the non-ABS binders are about to lock. That never happened, and we slowly came to terms with how much pressure was necessary to stop (semi) quickly. Could be a case of a little air in the brake line.

2017 benelli tnt600 tornado review, The TnT holds its line well as it should with a 58 3 inch wheelbase which is significantly longer than other models in this segment There seems to be an extra amount of roll in the twistgrip before reaching the throttle stop

The TnT holds its line well, as it should with a 58.3-inch wheelbase, which is significantly longer than other models in this segment. There seems to be an extra amount of roll in the twistgrip before reaching the throttle stop.

The TnT’s seating position is what you’d expect from a 600cc bike – a little cramped in legroom for my 5-foot-11 frame, but not beyond what is normal, and somewhat wide between the knees. The reach to the bars is comfortable, and the bars themselves reach out to keep the rider upright with a slight forward lean into the wind. They’re also wide enough to provide good leverage without going overboard.

Large analog tachometer and digital speedo comprise the instrument cluster. Some of the information is on the small side, but more importantly, our speedo reading was way off, reading in excess of 10 mph faster than a BMW R-nineT pacing alongside.