Two new models from Benelli, the 2017 Benelli TnT302
and TnT135 has been officially launched
at Malaysia in November.
Known just as the 302R, this quarter-litre sports bike carries a
298.8 cc, DOHC liquid-cooled parallel twin, fed by EFI. Rated at 38.1 hp at
12,000 rpm and 28.4 Nm torque at 9,000 rpm, this fully-faired twin is meant to
complement the current single-cylinder, 250 cc Benelli TnT25 and the naked
sports Benelli TnT300.
Power from the 302R’s engine gets to the ground via a six-speed
gearbox and chain, with a final drive ratio of 14/40 sprockets. Rolling on
17-inch wheels, braking – without ABS – is done with Benelli own-brand calipers
grabbing twin 260 mm petal discs in front and a single 240 mm disc at the rear.
Upside-side down forks hold up the front end of the 302R, which are
non-adjustable units, giving 120 mm of travel. The rear suspension is a
monoshock unit with 50 mm of travel adjustable for spring preload.
Seat height on the Benelli 302R is a low 780 mm, making it suitable
for a wide range of riders, while fuel is carried in a 14 litre tank. Dry
weight is claimed to be 190 kg, which puts the 302R slightly on the heavy side
of things.
Benelli Keeway also introduced the TnT135, an
obvious rival to the Kawasaki Z125 Pro and the Honda MSX125SF, known as Grom in
some markets. Designed for urban use, especially for the younger rider, the
TnT135 uses a single-cylinder, air-cooled 134.7 cc engine.
Power output for the TnT135 is claimed to be 12.6 hp at 9,000 rpm,
while the torque figure is 10.8 Nm at 7,000 rpm. Fuelling is by EFI and power
is delivered to the rear wheel through the five-speed gearbox.
The TnT135 rolls on 12-inch wheels, with single hydraulic calipers
providing stopping power front and back, on 220 mm and 190 mm discs,
respectively. Upside-down forks prop up the front, while a monoshock suspends
the rear-end.
Styling on the TnT135 is very reminiscent of the MV Agusta Brutale
and Stradale 800, with the twin slash-cut pipes looking very much the same as
the Italian bikes. Fuel is carried in a 7.2-litre tank, and dry weight is
claimed to be 116 kg.
