| | | | Road Test: 2008 Benelli TNT 899 & 899 S launch – Ferocious new TNT 899 from Benelli |  Written: 29/05/2008 : 09:52. Read 7881 times (59/day). | Since 2004 Benelli have been run at a loss of several million Euros. With the TNT 899, Benelli hopes to break it even in 2008. The TNT 899 is a dream naked and during our test a sweet dream. Going up the box, the new 899 is ferocious!
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Benelli have restarted their model programme several times during the last 15 or so years. Most of us remember the current day Benelli for their Tornado 900 superbike and the TNT 1130. After changing owners from Italian to Chinese hands in 2005, some fresh capital has paved the way for several fresh new models and engines.
The 1130 triple engine was based on the old 900. The new 899 is based on the new 1130… To achieve this Benelli have developed several new internals for the engine such as new cylinder heads, crankshaft, conrods and pistons. But the cylinder walls stay the same as on the 1130. 
Benelli have made some key changes to make the new 899 more affordable than the more exclusive TNT 1130. A new windshield is of a less complicated design and therefore cheaper to manufacture. The simpler instrument panel is now housed in a cheaper to make plastic panel. It is all mounted on a sub frame of steel rather than aluminium casting. 
Then you have the differences between the standard TNT 899 and the 899 S. First Benelli have used a different 43mm fork on the S that is fully adjustable. Then Benelli have used a two part seat on the S and a standard one-piece seat on the 899. 
The claimed dry weight for both is 199 kilos, but we suspect the 43mm front fork on the 899 S is slightly lighter than the 50mm on the standard 899.
Both versions have an 899cc triple that produces a claimed 120 horsepower @ 9.500rpm and 88Nm @ 8.000rpm. There is a longer wait for the horsepower to kick in on the 899 compared to the 1130. 
Right now the Tornado Naked Tre 899 is the entry model and we rode it on some great roads around Pesaro on Italy’s Adriatic coast. The 899 creates a lot of very nice sound even before much happens.  
The tubular steel trellis frame feels very stiff through the corners. The further I lean it the easier it leans up to a point where it almost falls into the corner by itself. This is great, but there is a lack of feel somewhere. I can’t quite judge what the Dunlop D208RR’s are up to all the time. 
After lunch I swap the black 899 for the orange TNT 899 S. First I notice the difference in the seat as it’s a sportier one from the bigger TNT models on the S. It somehow gives better grip and feel moving around when riding in a more active manner. 
Wheelies come easy on the 899 in first gear. Second gear is not so easy.  
Conclusion:
The Benelli TNT 899 S runs through the corners like a dream and is great fun. It creates some emotions in a motorcyclist’s heart that a Honda Hornet can’t. 
+
Character and styling
Handling
Good performance figures
-
Reliability
Rev counter not calibrated?
Not the everyday fun and games motorcycle as it should be
TORNADO NAKED TRE 899 / TORNADO NAKED TRE 899 S
ENGINE
TYPE In line 3 cylinders, 4-stroke, liquid cooled , 4 valves per cylinder
double overhead camshaft, with balancer shaft
DISPLACEMENT: 899 cc
BORE x STROKE: 88 x 49,2 mm
COMPRESSION RATIO: 12,5:1
RATED OUTPUT: 88 kW (119,6 cv) @ 9500 rpm
MAX. TORQUE: 88 Nm (8,8 kgm) @ 8000 rpm
FUEL SUPPLY: Electronic injection with three throttle bodies ø53 mm
EXHAUST SYSTEM With catalytic converter and oxigen sensor
CERTIFICATION Euro 3
CLUTCH: Wet clutch
GEARBOX: 6 speed
FINAL DRIVE: Chain drive, ratio 16:41
CHASSIS
FRAME Modular, tubular steel trellis frame, rear aluminium alloy casting
FRONT SUSPENSION: Tornado Naked Tre 899S: Ø43 mm upside-down fork, with
hydraulic rebhound / compression and spring preload adjustments
Tornado Naked Tre 899: Ø50 mm upside-down fork
FRONT SUSPENSION STROKE: 120 mm
REAR SUSPENSION tubular steel trellis swingarm, progressive rear damper with
hydraulic rebhound and spring preload adjustments
REAR SUSPENSION STROKE: 120 mm
FRONT BRAKE Twin floating disk ø320 mm with 4 piston calipers
REAR BRAKE Single disk ø240 mm with double piston caliper
FRONT RIM: 17”x3.50” DOT-D
REAR RIM: 17”x6.00” DOT-D
FRONT TYRE: 120/70-ZR17 58W (-120/65-ZR17 56W-)
REAR TYRE : 190/50-ZR17 73W
(180/55-ZR17 73W - 200/50-ZR17 75W- 190/55 ZR17 75W)
DIMENSIONS
LENGHT: 2128 mm
WIDHT EXCLUDING MIRRORS: 790 mm
HEIGHT EXCLUDING MIRRORS: 1050 mm
SEAT HEIGHT: 820 mm
WHEELBASE: 1443 mm
DRY WEIGHT: 199 kg
ROAD READY WEIGHT: 206 kg
ADMITTED TOTAL WEIGHT: 400 kg
FUEL TANK CAPACITY 16 lt
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