2006-2008 Benelli Tornado Tre 1130 Review

Introduction

Tornado’s success had all to do with the racing frame and the engine that fitted it so this is what engineers concentrated on improving. The bike steers sharp and the three-cylinder engine fed through fuel injection system is there to back the chassis’s abilities up. When compared to other sporty bikes out there, Benelli is conscious of the missing piston disadvantage and that is why we’re dealing with an 1130cc engine.

History

2008 Benelli Tornado Tre 1130

First introduced in 2006, the first fully-faired Tornado (previous bikes were naked ones) was what everyone expected from the relatively small Italian manufacturer. The engine develops 120 KW at 10.500 RPM, definitely comparable with Japanese supersports (although we won’t do that, read a bit more) and the 124 Nm at 8000 RPM as well.

What clearly stood out was the manufacturer’s ambition to situate itself among the top Italian players next to Aprilia and Ducati so styling was very important. As a result, we witnessed the introduction of a truly aggressive styled motorcycle with features that even inspired others to give it a try on their own bikes.

Competition

The RSV 1000 was already a best seller at Aprilia and that gives us all the reasons to believe the Tornado Tre 1130 was practically built up against this bike.

2008 Aprilia RSV 1000 R

But the Aprilia RSV 1000 is determined not to lose its supremacy as the best sports twin money can buy and it constantly develops new technologies and systems to fit it. For 2008, Aprilia RSV 1000 R remarks thanks to its Öhlins Racing fork with Titanium Nitride coated stanchions and radial caliper mountings, the latest generation V60 Magnesium Engine with Ø 33 mm exhaust valves, larger diameter exhaust headers and external catalytic converters, installed nearer to the header pipes for improved efficiency and environment respect. As a result, Benelli’s competitor also comes with Euro 4 homologation.

2008 Ducati 1098

Being fitted with the big three-cylinder engine, Benelli has a hard time finding its most appropriate competitor. The Ducati 1098 doesn’t feature neither a three-cylinder nor a V-Twin, but an L-Twin engine which contributed at the bike being voted “Sportbike of the year”. It will definitely pass a little bit of time until we’ll be seeing the Tornado racing next to the 1098 in the World Superbike Championship, but when it comes to a customer’s choice, the one with the riffle name has as much chances as any other. After all, it is an impressive bike.

Exterior

2008 Benelli Tornado Tre 1130

Much to do with it being impressive and worth the buck is the way it looks. Exterior design is important, especially in the given category and thanks to Benelli designers, it looks worthy of its sporting abilities.

Its front end is characterized through the Y shape given by the screen and headlight, the mirrors representing an extension of that shape, apart from their obvious purpose. Also, the air scoops on the headlight’s sides give it a distinctive look, but if you are used to seeing R1s every day, that’s what you’ll be confusing it with.

On each side, the “Benelli” name will immediately clear your doubts. The fairing features smooth, flowing lines and the paint schemes add further visual impact. You can buy it either complete Grey (light on the top and dark on the sides) or Grey and Green (this last going on the lower half).

Italian bikes usually have a flat looking tank, but this is more than I can take. Carefully blended in, the tank doesn’t manage to stand out at all, but simply do its job of keeping the fuel in its 19 liters capacity while offering enough space for the rider to tuck under the screen.

The seat doesn’t look like much comfort, but what I definitely appreciate at it is the Ferrari like taillights. Now that is something unseen before!

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