2006-2008 Benelli Tornado Tre 1130 K Review

Test Drive

2008 Benelli Tornado Tre 1130 K

Getting a feel of the Tre-K is like finding what you’ve always been looking for at a road bike. It offers reliability, confidence, an awesome riding position and, most of all, adaptability. The bike is perfect for commuting, touring and even aggressive riding if you will.

Starting with the key factor of its versatility, the triple-cylinder engine is the best unit ever to find its place on one of the Italian manufacturer’s bikes (my opinion) and it all consists in the small things. Twisting the throttle will generate a smooth power supply, especially in the higher gears and, if needed, the motor can offer al the grunt required for quick motorway passes. The magic consists in playing with the gears and the throttle so that means knowing the bike.

This brings us to the almost instantaneous familiarity that you’ll be feeling from the very first inch rolled on it. The riding position given by those relaxing wide bars, comfortably low-positioned footpegs and nicely shaped comfy seat will have you willing to spend all your weekends on its back and I don’t see why you won’t do that.

Suitable for any type of street and being fitted with grippy rubber, the Tornado Tre-K corners very easy and confidence-inspiring and you’ll even manage to scrap the asphalt with your knees if that’s the challenge, although I didn’t tried it that often. I mostly enjoyed keeping the engine close to its 9500 rpm redline even when passing through twisty sections. Although I don’t recommend you trying this it helps knowing your bike’s top abilities such as handling, acceleration and braking. Also, for doing this, the gearbox helped a lot although I don’t recall hitting fourth more than one time on that section of road. The clutch is smooth and completes its engagement-disengagement part spotless.

2008 Benelli Tornado Tre 1130 K

Although the Benelli felt great between stop signs and traffic jams with the engine revving nicely away from any eventual delay problem, I mostly appreciate this kind of bike when it comes to the long haul. This is where it definitely impresses and if you plan on making things perfect, the three-way manually adjustable screen will help you do exactly that. Wind protection is great, even thought the rider sits vertically on the bike. There will be a natural tendency to tuck in the fairing and this will also help a lot when powerfully braking because when getting back in the normal riding position, the biker will also brake with itself (the old racing trick).

And if it comes to racing, the 50mm upside Marzocchi forks and Extreme Technology will be better off performing on the track than on the road so the suspension equipment was what kept me from falling on the twisty section.

All that’s left for me to say about this bike is that you’ll be simply thrilled by the smooth power delivery, the natural riding position and the quick and easy steering which are Italian standards.

Price

The only disadvantage is that it comes with a relatively high suggested retail price. Compared with its competition, Tre-K’s $14,799 MSRP is indeed significantly higher, but not exaggerated considering the building quality and finishing touches.

Conclusion

After the company’s revamp in the first years of the new millennium Benelli delivers the awesomely styled and great performing Tornado Tre 1130 K as an alternative to the British competitor’s Tiger and together with it, the most refined bike they’ve ever built. Don’t look for the fairing, it doesn’t need one, and neither for the fourth piston because in this class three-cylinders are more than enough.

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