2016 Benelli T302R and TnT135
Here’s a first look at the 2016 Benelli
T302R sportsbike and TnT135 mini-moto, rumoured to be introduced to the
Malaysian market soon. No details on pricing as yet, but unnamed sources have
hinted that the retail prices for both new models will be below current
competitor pricing.
First seen at the EICMA show in Milan
last year, the Benelli T302R is a fully-faired sportsbike that carries a
parallel-twin engine displacing 300 cc. Rated at 36 hp at 12,000 rpm, and 27 Nm
of torque at 9,000 rpm, the T302R uses a six-speed gearbox to get power to the
ground.
Upside-down forks suspend the front end
of the Benelli T302R, with braking taken care of by twin-petal discs grabbed by
four-piston brake calipers. Weight is claimed to be 180 kg, with a 790 mm seat
height. Fuel resides in a 14-litre tank.
On the smaller bike front, the Benelli
T135 mini-moto follows styling cues from the Kawasaki Z125 Pro very closely.
Power is claimed to be around 11.7 hp at 9,000 rpm and torque at 10 Nm at 7,000
rpm from the single-cylinder air-cooled, four-valve twin-spark 135 cc engine
driving a five-speed gearbox.
Rolling on 12-inch wheels, the Benelli
T135 has a 41 mm upside-down fork and a lateral rear shock absorber with spring
pre-load adjustment. Braking is with single-discs front and rear, and seat
height is 780 mm. The T125 weighs in at 121 kg, with a 7.2-litre fuel tank.
Rumours have it that the Benelli T302R
and TnT135 will be hitting the Malaysian market in October 2016, but no details
on pricing are available. Sources have reported both new Benelli models were
seen testing in the Bukit Beruntung, Selangor, area, where the Benelli Keeway
factory is located.
Closest competitors to the 2016 Benelli
T302R are the KTM RC250 at RM 21,081, Yamaha YZF-R25 at RM 20,630 and the
Kawasaki Ninja 250 at about RM 22,000. For the Benelli T125 mini-moto, it goes
head-to-head with the Kawasaki Z125 Pro, which retails at RM 10,435.
As earlier stated, both the Benelli
T302R and T135 are being priced to undercut competitors locally
