BENELLI TNT 1130 (2004 - 2018) Review
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At a glance
Owners' reliability rating: | |
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Annual servicing cost: | £300 |
Power: | 130 bhp |
Seat height: | Low (30.7 in / 780 mm) |
Weight: | Medium (439 lbs / 199 kg) |
Prices
Overall rating
Next up: Ride & brakesOne of the best ever incarnations of the naked motorcycle theme. A massively powerful motor allied to a funky design and capable chassis makes the Benelli TNT effortlessly good at wheelies and general A-road hooning.The Benelli TNT is probably the most ‘out there’ motorcycle money can buy.
- Related: 2020-on Benelli TNT 125 review
Ride quality & brakes
Next up: EngineDespite its lack of adjustment the Benelli TNT handles extremely well. It’s a composed, agile and well balanced motorcycle, with real flickability thanks to those wide bars. The Benelli TNT has very poor steering lock, which makes turning the motorcycle around in Britain’s narrow streets a pain. Great Brembo brakes are very reassuring, but high pegs will cramp your legs on longer rides if you’re an above average height biker.
Engine
Next up: ReliabilityThe Benelli TNT's 1130cc in-line DOHC triple motor oozes torque, slamming some 86ft lb through its rear tyre, making overtakes on this motorcycle a cinch in any gear and it’ll pull cleanly from as little as 2000rpm in top. Allied to a smooth gearbox you can wring some 118 rear wheel bhp from the Benelli TNT – if you can hang on. From 2005 the Benelli TNT motorcycle range was fitted with switchable engine mapping.
Reliability & build quality
Next up: ValueReliability on this motorcycle has occasionally been an issue, with electrics shouldering most of the blame, but new Benelli TNT motorcycles come with a two-year warranty and breakdown assistance.
Value vs rivals
Next up: EquipmentFor this kind of motorcycle you’re always going to have to pay a bit more – more to buy it and more to run it. But the Benelli TNT's scarcity on British roads will keep the residuals high, too, so you shouldn’t lose too much on your Benelli TNT, certainly it’ll be no worse than motorcycles like the Ducati Monster S4R. Find a Benelli TNT 1130 for sale.
Equipment
Benelli can supply a suspension adjustment kit, soft luggage, carbon fibre wheels and hugger and a bespoke cover for the TNT should you so wish. Compare and buy parts for the Benelli TNT in the MCN Shop.
Specs |
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Engine size | 1130cc |
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Engine type | 12v triple, 6 gears |
Frame type | Aluminium trellis |
Fuel capacity | 17 litres |
Seat height | 780mm |
Bike weight | 199kg |
Front suspension | Rebound, compression |
Rear suspension | Preload |
Front brake | Twin 320mm discs |
Rear brake | 240mm disc |
Front tyre size | 120/70 x 17 |
Rear tyre size | 190/50 x 17 |
Mpg, costs & insurance |
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Average fuel consumption | 32 mpg |
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Annual road tax | £117 |
Annual service cost | £300 |
New price | - |
Used price | £6,300 |
Insurance group |
17 of 17 How much to insure? |
Warranty term | Two year unlimited mileage |
Top speed & performance |
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Max power | 130 bhp |
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Max torque | 86 ft-lb |
Top speed | 157 mph |
1/4 mile acceleration | 12 secs |
Tank range | 140 miles |
Model history & versions
Model history
2004: Benelli TNT Model launched.
Other versions
Benelli TNT Sport: Comes with radial brakes and black coated fork stanchions as well as more suspension adjustment.
Benelli TNT Titanium: In titanium-coloured, carbon fibre bodywork with a cherry red frame, radial brakes and even posher Marzocchi suspension.
Benelli TNT Café Racer: Clip-ons, yellow bodywork.
Benelli TNT Evo: Launched 2007, new Euro 3 compliant version.
Owners' reviews for the BENELLI TNT 1130 (2004 - 2018)
8 owners have reviewed their BENELLI TNT 1130 (2004 - 2018) and rated it in a number of areas. Read what they have to say and what they like and dislike about the bike below.
Review your BENELLI TNT 1130 (2004 - 2018)
Summary of owners' reviews |
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Overall rating: | |
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Ride quality & brakes: | |
Engine: | |
Reliability & build quality: | |
Value vs rivals: | |
Equipment: | |
Annual servicing cost: | £300 |
Version: 1130 Cafe racer
Year: 2010
Annual servicing cost: £300
I bought my cafe new in 2010 and it was a 2010 bike, one if the last built. One of the best looking bikes ever made IMHO and I had to have one despite all the poor press. I owned it for 6 years and 9k. The only thing that went wrong was an indicator that stopped working due to a dry joint. I loved it.
Very comfortable. Great brakes and handling.
Performance is mind blowing despite the relatively modest figures. Crazy torque/ hp combo that feels far more powerful than quoted. I actually sold the bike as I just ended up riding too fast most of the time. I regret that of course!
No Issues at all apart from the indicator mentioned previously. Possibly a bit cheap in areas in relation to the plastics but that was it.
I sent this bike to Bennetts in Barnsley for the major servicing to ensure the known engine maintenance requirements were taken care of. I would probably do this myself now as there is far more information available. Poor MPG, around 30-34 mpg but it did run rich.
No equipment of note but didn't really need it. Power button makes very little difference and considered a gimmic.
Buying experience: New from dealer. Paid 9k with and extra £500 for the rear seat cowl.
Version: Cafe Racer
Year: 2006
First saw one when they were launched in 2006 and promised myself one. Have now kept that promise and love it to bits!. The Cafe Racer comes with 'clip ons' which are actually higher than they look so its very comfortable (I am 6' 3") and just oozes character. Its Italian so it looks beautiful, sounds awesome, goes and handles superbly and is 'high maintenance' but worth the trouble.
The Cafe Racer comes with fully adjustable front forks and I have fitted a later fully adjustable rear shock - Ride quality is very good.Brakes are Brembo GoldLine so again are top notch (for the period)
Full of character, torquey and with a good spread of power, country roads are fun just riding the torque and she will fly if you fully extend the engine.
Build quality is actually very good, with the only real area of concern reliability wise being electrics (but it is italian!!). Why would you put the airbox drain directly above the centre ignition coil ?? If you check out the owners club they are REALLY helpful in advising how to iron out the Italian idiosyncrasies and its all DIY friendly if you are prepared to take your time.
Its all DIYable, the mechanicals are very simple and robust
Standard spec is very good so not felt the need to add anything else
Buying experience: Purchased from Bennetts in Barnsley who are the go to specialist in the UK - It wasn't cheap but condition, service history etc were the most important consideration. Would recommend you talk to them if you are considering purchasing a Benelli - they really know their stuff
over-heated due to dealer not evacuating coolant of air and adding a further litre of coolant. handling very good, finish not so good. sometimes cuts out on idle and occasional subsequent hot start problem, 5 minutes later fires up like nothing happened overall a superb machine with a slightly quirky nature
over-heated due to dealer not evacuating coolant of air and adding a further litre of coolant. handling very good, finish not so good. sometimes cuts out on idle and occasional subsequent hot start problem, 5 minutes later fires up like nothing happened overall a superb machine with a slightly quirky nature
Stalls on me when riding,overheats,Hot Start Problems,What have I bought,Its going on Ebay. Load Of Rubbish Wasted loads of money
After much research, my heart told me it must have a Benelli. When I was asked by a friend to help her move from New York back to Chicago, I flew there one way to drive back with her. Having located a Benelli in Harrisburg, PA, it was my intention to buy it and follow her home. When we got there, they started it up, and I really didn't need a test ride. There is a place in heavan for the music made by that machine. But test it I did, and immediately decided to buy it. I had read about the electronics being an issue, and the need for servicing after 600 miles. This bike happened to have been a trade-in with 500 or so miles on it, and during the test ride the thermometer readout was playing a game I did not understand. Undeterred, I knew of an authorized service shop in Detroit, and let the guys who were selling me the bike that if they could get Detroit on the phone and gaurantee me that they could take care of the 600 mile service the day after the next, then I would follow my friend to Toledo and branch off north to Detroit. The mechanic in Detroit agreed, so I bought the bike. I don't have kids, but I believe I had a measure of that kind of pride as we pulled out heading west toward Pittsburg, then, Toledo. Anyway, 20 miles out of Harrisburg, the check engine light came on. Being under something of a time constraint, I promptly returned it for a refund. Even after all of that, if I lived within 200 miles of a dealership and authorized mechanic shop, I would have kept it. The thing feels and looks and sounds like the product of some kind of magic. Maybe I'll move to Massachusetts to be close to a dealer?
fantastic bike, pure fun, lucky to get 100 miles to a tank, problem with hot start, if you have a smoke after a fuel stop you're fine, 5-7 mins before it'll start again when it's hot. If you can stand that then it's one hell of a toy
Started off with the standard TNT when they first came out and I loved it. Chopped it in for the TNT Titanium (one of only 27 made, 5 in UK). The TNT draws a crowd wherever you go. It is quick and nimble to ride, windblast is not too much of a problem as the deflector does work well up to 130 mph. Worth getting the uprated cooling fans fitted as soon as you can, helps to keep the engine coolant where it should be when you are loitering around town. Termignoni exhaust really howls when you wind it up, especially with the baffle out! If you want a nutter bike then look no further....eats Duke's for breakfast!