DSK-Benelli TNT 1130R: First Review

DSK recently announced that they will be bringing the Italian brand Benelli to our shores soon. Out of the five bikes that are headed our way, the DSK-Benelli TNT 1130R has to be the most visually striking motorcycle from its portfolio. And it has to be, as the TNT 1130R will be the flagship offering from DSK-Benelli and instead of bringing the standard TNT 1130, they have decided to launch the TNT 1130R with a more powerful motor sitting beneath its muscular body. 

The DSK-Benelli TNT 1130R is a prime example that why many motorcycle enthusiasts lust after a street bike. With its beefy and chiselled fuel tank, stubby mudguard, aggressively styled headlamps, chunky tank shrouds and tubular frame, the Benelli TNT 1130R is all muscle. What makes the design even more outstanding is the fact that the basic design hasn’t been changes in the past 10 years as the Benelli TNT debuted in 2004. The design details that caught my fancy were the fans concealed under the tank shrouds and under seat exhaust pipe (a design element which is sadly becoming extinct in present day performance bikes). The instrument cluster is half analogue and half digital with the analogue tachometer getting preference. In terms of sheer visual appeal, the DSK-Benelli TNT 1130R ticks all the right boxes and should be able to standout in the company of modern day street bikes. 

Powering the DSK-Benelli TNT 1130R is the same 1,131cc, liquid-cooled motor as seen on the standard TNT 1130. But the in-line-three cylinder mill in the TNT 1130R churns out 159PS at 10,200rpm and peak torque rating of 120Nm at 8,400rpm. This translates into a hike of over 30PS and 10Nm of torque over the stock bike. Power is transmitted to the rear-wheel via a 6-speed gear box whereas slipper clutch is standard. In terms of numbers the DSK-Benelli TNT 1130R does have an advantage over its arch rival, the Kawasaki Z1000 and the Triumph Speed Triple. 

The DSK-Benelli TNT 1130R’s swingarm is equipped with a rear eccentric adjuster, a novel feature that alters the ride height and wheel base of the bike, allowing easy adjustments to suit the rider. All of this is mounted to a tubular trestle front frame section and an aluminium rear section. The DSK-Benelli TNT 1130R has been loaded with premium cycle parts like fully adjustable beefy 50mm upside down forks sourced from Marzocchi and fully adjustable ZF Sachs monoshock setup at the rear.

Braking responsibilities are handled by twin 320mm dia floating wave discs with radial mounted Brembo monoblock 4 piston callipers at front and single 240mm dia wave disc with Brembo twin piston calliper at the back. The DSK-Benelli TNT 1130R runs on 120mm section rubber at front and meaty 190mm section rubber at the rear and both the tyres are shod on 17-inch aluminium alloy wheels. The DSK-Benelli TNT 1130R has a wheelbase of 1,443mm and fuel tank capacity stands at 16-litres. The bike tips the scale at 202kg, which is significantly lighter than the Triumph Street Triple and Kawasaki Z1000.

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Pricing for the DSK-Benelli TNT 1130R hasn’t been announced yet as the bike will be launched in the coming few months. We expect the DSK-Benelli TNT 1130R to be priced higher than its rivals as it uses premium cycle parts and it should retail for around Rs 14 to 15 lakh in the Indian two-wheeler market. With its wild styling, powerful motor and supreme cycle parts the DSK-Benelli TNT 1130R makes for a fantastic buy for a consumer in the market for a premium performance street bike.