Page 41 - Australian Motorcycle News (January 2020)

TNT

SPECS

ENGINE
Capacity 135cc
Type Single-cylinder, SOHC,
four valves
Bore & stroke 54 x 58.8mm
Compression ratio 9.8:1
Cooling Air
Fueling EFI, 1 x 28mm
throttle body
1. The Grom shares Transmission Five-speed
its mechanicals with Clutch Wet, multi-plate
Honda’s more expensive Final drive Chain
Monkey bike
PERFORMANCE
2. The ergonomics of the Power 9.5kW @ 9000rpm
Benelli are not a great fit (claimed)
with bigger riders Torque 10.8Nm @ 7000rpm
2 (claimed)
Top speed 115km/h (est)
belt of tearing around my local neighbourhood, the Fuel consumption 3.3L/100km
odd trip out to Wisemans Ferry and the untimely (claimed)
ELECTRONICS
death of an unfortunate bin chicken, I can safely say Type Not applicable
that both the Benelli and the Honda are an excellent Rider aides Not applicable
and affordable short-distance commuter. CHASSIS
And there are plenty of affordable short-distant Frame material Steel
commuters which are arguably more practical and Frame type Trestle
Rake Not given
slightly more affordable. But if you want to tack fun Trail Not given
onto that list, then there’s not many bikes that fit Wheelbase 1215mm
the bill as well as these two. SUSPENSION
Which one is best? That really does come down Type Benelli
to personal preference, and I probably preferred Front: 41mm USD fork,
non-adjustable,
the slightly more expensive Honda. It’s 300 bucks 120mm travel
more than the Benelli at $3699 (plus on-road costs), Rear: Lateral monoshock,
but just a little bit nimbler due to its lower weight adjustable pre-load,
and its ergonomics fitted me better, despite being 126mm travel
WHEELS & BRAKES
physically smaller than the Benelli. And if I parked Wheels Aluminium alloy
one in the shed, I’d use it for mug lair behaviour Front: 12 x 3.0 Rear: 12 x 3.5
No problem, we’ll give you two and screaming down to the shop. Tyres Cordial
But if I had to choose one to carry out my Front: 120/70ZR12
Rear: 130/70ZR12
Sam Maclachlan everyday commute on, I’d throw my money at the Brakes Nissin
“I’M 46, SO these petite things aren’t $3390 (plus on-road costs) Benelli. Its five-speed Front: Single 210mm discs,
aimed at me. At all. And I started box makes it far more versatile around town, and dual-piston caliper
with that statement, because it the extra weight makes it feel more stable through Rear: Single 190mm disc,
needed to preface what I am about the curves. single-piston caliper
to say. I can get being 20 and loving DIMENSIONS
the idea of leaping aboard a bright, Despite the rocky start to our relationship, little Weight 124kg (kerb, claimed)
blue conversation piece, or saying I own a Benelli, but by little I discovered that these pint-sized units Seat height 780mm
with so many other two-wheeled options out there, I aren’t just for folks that are closer to preschool Width 760mm
don’t get the attraction of these. They are fun for a bit, age than pension age, and as a hoon-around item, Height 1025mm
and do 100km/h okay, depending who is on them, so they are all sorts of fun. The small size, at first a Length 1770mm
are practical enough, but not for me. Both are well built Ground clearance Not given
enough, and if pushed I’d choose the Honda, but for the laughing matter with me on it, is what makes it Fuel capacity 7.2L
money I’d choose another genre of motorcycling than so much fun. It’s not intimidating in anyway, and SERVICING & WARRANTY
this for my two wheeled pleasure. But I would say that you find yourself pulling cheeky manoeuvres you Servicing First: 1000km
Minor: 3000km
because, like I said, I’m 46.” wouldn’t pull on a more powerful rig. And life Major: 7000km & 13,000km
needs more cheek. Warranty 24 month,
unlimited km
BENELLI TNT BUSINESS END
Sexy Italian design Tank is poorly shaped for taller riders Price $3399 (plus ORC)
Fifth gear gives more versatility PROS CONS Would foot peg springs be too much Colour options White/red,
Stability through turns is great to ask? Indicators not bright enough black/red, or red/red
Contact benelli.com.au

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