BENELLI TORNADO 1130 (2003 - 2014) Review

Version: 900

Year: 2012

A great example of style over substance. Tornado? More like a gentle breeze...

Version: Tornado 900

Year: 2011

Brilliant looks and design, addictive sound and decent power and predicatable handling

Buying experience: Bought privately, super cheap, stunner, 2k miles 11 plate (though all made by 2004) as new for under £3500. also great forum online too

Always so many horror stories regarding reliability but that was on the early models which should have been fixed by now. As long as you know the updates to clutch basket and a small belville washer have been carried out then they are as reliable as any other superbike. I have had no problems at all with mine.

I have owned a Benelli Tornado from new for 12 months now and covered approx 4k. There are good deals out there but the second hand values remain low, maybe due to the rarity of the bike or more likely the early reliability issues. The handling is good but not amazing however you have to remember that the 900's were made in 2003/4, the riding position puts you on top of the bike and turning in can be nervous. Proper suspension setup would be needed to get the most from the chassis compared to most jap bikes. The riding position is unique and is suited more to someone with long legs and short arms - the clip on's are low and the switchgear awkward especially the indicator switch and the "mode" button used to start the stopwatch/lap timer (gimmick). The mirrors look nice but you have to duck down to see anything behind you and the original screen is low. The clocks however are very clear. Performance is nearer to a CBR600f than an R6 or similar race rep. You have to wind it up to get the most out of it although the torque produced makes manic gearchanges less likely - you just have to know where the peak torque and power is in the rev range to get the most out of it rather than expect instant power everywhere. This could be down to the lumpy fuelling although new maps are being developed for this machine.# There are good deals out there for "new" bikes and you get a lot of bike for your money BUT the importers are not very helpful, the dealers are widespread and contradict each other on what is needed regarding servicing (and the cost of that servicing)and the service intervals are close and pricey compared to a triumph (Which I think the Tornado essentially is - an italian styled 12v triple). Parts are also difficult to source and expensive. The way to sum up the experience is this - you get an excusive bike with a very interesting induction and exhaust note and plenty of attention at bike meets, etc but I would prefer to have a better dealer network for piece of mind. Think carefully before you take the plunge!

Pretty much like any other owner will tell you... this bike is awesome in every way, from its styling, to the handling, to the attention to detail that you just wouldnt find on anything japanese. Its the only bike I've owned that I run home from work so that I can grab an opportunity to take her for a ride, and if its sunny at a weekend, I'm out cold or not! Handling is sublime, took me a couple of weeks to get used to the height - you seem to sit lower on a jap but once you've bonded with your tornado there's nothign else! Oh, and the noise, mmmmmm! its addictive, this is biking! so what if a zxcbrgsxr6 might be quicker in a straight line, I bet they arent smiling as much as a Benelli owner and on the corners she'll easily match them. And besides, its good to be less frantic and enjoy the experience... I've had no reliability issues, she starts first time everytime, even in middle of winter. Yes there are tiny little things, the clocks sometimes reset cause of low volatage from overly small battery and she gets bad tempered in traffic, but these are all things that make you love this bike . Oh and I havent had a problem with Neutral! if you werent prepared to slot her in on the approach, just give a nudge forward as you tip the pedal and neutral slots in nicely. Cant think of anything else I'd rather ride and cant wait for Spring

Bought a standard 900 Tre in Red. 54 plate with only 1000 miles on the clock. Guy I bought it off could not believe that I would ride it 180 miles back home. Absolutely amazing machine!!! The handling is just superb, with the intergrated frame/engine it sits the road beautifully and the brembo brakes stop it in a second. I didn't find the riding position bad at all. With 180 miles, I only stopped to fill her up. No wrist or back problems, just a silly grin on my face everytime I opened her up! I picked one with a full service history so the clocks and the clutch issues have been sorted. I cannot fault it at all, except that they should fit an alarm at manufacture. It sounds great, once you get the revs up there is that amazing throaty grunt from the triple that turns heads and shakes windows! Only other problem is that there are so few on the road the cops know me already. For the same price you can get the same age zx6r or similar. I'm glad I went Italian.

The Benelli factory created the Limited Edition to homogulate the WSB race bike. Ther were 150 copies made. I own number 131. Absolutely stunning looks and noises. Dare to be different!

I am on my second one now, 1st one was standard 900 and the second one is the Limited Edition (one of 100)dripping in carbon fibre. It is a hoot to ride and heads turn all the time. Neutral does not exist but the clutch is so light it really does not matter. Problem with the speedo, but this is a matter of chasing up a new one and getting it replaced. Benelli are fully aware and most done under warranty. Try getting 41 mpg ;-) when you want to hear that howl at 9000 revs. The bike just wants to be ridden. All round Ohlin suspension makes the LE a magic carpet on the road.

Attracts positive comments from every one that sees it, and certainly draws the crowds as they are quite rare. Great green silver colour scheme and the exhaust note is very addictive. Went to assen and back with no probs. Loads of rain back to rotterdam, no prob. Strengths: looks/power/sound and in my case price - cheaper than a jap 600 for italian exclusivity. Always a talking point when I pull up at bike places. Makes you proud to own it. Weaknesses: Neutral gear - forget it! Very hard to engage when stopped, you have to engage as you pull up not when stopped. Maybe next service can sort it. Trip/clock does reset for no apparent reason. Back brake crap. Three things in all. But the rest of it so good what the hell. I hope to sort these thing soon. Oh yes, no span adjuster on clutch - a bit of a bind for those of us with short fingers.

This bike is without a doubt one of THE nicest bikes you are ever likely to see on the road. Get used to receiving compliments if you buy one of these bikes because they will come thick and fast. The noise that comes out of the Benelli is wonderful. When that triple really gets going it sings the sweetest notes you will hear on the road. Other road users will hear you coming a mile away as this thing is loud. All in all this is a great bike but not without its niggles. Strengths: Looks. Sound. Nice power delivery. Weaknesses: The gearbox. Trying to find neutral is a real pain . You either have to get used to it or sell it! The turning circle isn't that great. Don't expect to do a U turn in the road with this bike, it's more of a 3 point turn which can make filtering through traffic a bit on the dodgy side. The rev counter on the bike seems to have a life of its own. It can jump from 4-7k without a shift in the throttle or gear change.

Quick and gorgeous looking, and with so few about a bit different too. Drop dead looks, decent compoents and a grweat noise from the triple. Underseat fans are justa hoot and guaranteed to attract attention, even if the ability to keep the Rad cool is dubious. Strengths: They way it looks and the way it sounds. Weaknesses: Reliability with electrics and lack of factory back up for spares etc.