Launched: New DSK-Benelli TNT 25 at Rs 1.68 lakh

Italian bike maker Benelli, along with Indian partner DSK Motowheels launched its newest motorcycle, the TNT 25 in the country today. Priced at Rs 1.68 lakh ex-showroom New Delhi, for the base variant, the TNT 25 is DSK-Benelli’s most affordable offering yet, and also their first motorcycle to be powered by a single cylinder engine. DSK-Benelli has launched the TNT 25 in two variants - Standard and Premium. The standard variant priced at Rs 1.68 lakh will sport MRF tyres while the higher end variant will come with Metzeler rubber and is priced at Rs 1.75 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi)

It sits at the bottom of DSK-Benelli’s impressive product line-up and is powered by a 249cc, liquid-cooled single cylinder engine. The engine is good for 28.5PS of power and 21.6Nm of torque, and is mated to a six-speed transmission. The bike is light for a 250cc motorcycle with a kerb weight of 159kg which should enable brisk acceleration. 

The TNT25 comes in via the more affordable CKD route and is assembled at DSK’s assembly unit near Pune. DSK Motowheels though hopes to source more parts locally so as to price it lower in the future. The TNT25 slots into the fiercely contested entry-level performance segment and takes on the likes of established motorcycles like the KTM 390 Duke, Honda CBR250R and the Mahindra Mojo. 

In terms of design the TNT25 looks similar to its immediate sibling the TNT300, albeit with a few distinctive visual differences, while looking sportier and more appealing in white and also boasting higher fit-finish levels. It gets upside-down forks upfront and a centrally mounted monoshock at the rear, while the engine acts as a stressed member of the chassis. Braking duties are taken care of by a 280mm petal disc upfront and a 240mm disc at the rear.  

Along with its Indian partner DSK Motowheels, Italian bike maker Benelli has carved a niche in the Indian two-wheeler market in a relatively short time span. Credit that to its wide spectrum of products which includes motorcycles like the TNT 300, TNT 600i, the fully-faired TNT 600GT tourer, TNT 899 and TNT 1130R. 

DSK-Benelli also took the opportunity to launch a new range of helmets. Two tyre options are on offer, one from Metzeler and the other from MRF. 

The TNT25 should help the brand penetrate further into smaller cities, given the rising demand for affordable, sporty motorcycles in the 250-300cc range. DSK-Benelli’s aggressive marketing strategy should give the TNT25’s sales a further push given their current performance, as they already have ramped up their dealer count to 14 in just one year.