DSK-Benelli TNT 600GT: First Review

The TNT 600GT has been designed keeping in mind the touring community, and the design of this sports tourer has been done keeping in mind long rides on the highway. Designed and built in Pesaro, Italy, the TNT 600GT is the Grand Tourismo version of the TNT 600S, albeit with touring features such as a large 27 litre fuel tank offering substantial range between fuel stops, half-fairing for touring aerodynamics, projector headlamps and a wider seat with a comfortable seating patch for the pillion.

Powering the TNT 600GT is the same in-line four cylinder 600cc engine that is on the TNT 600S. Specifications and output is more or less the same – 83PS of power @ 11,000rpm, and is par for the course with its main competitor – the Kawasaki Ninja 650R. The engine on the TNT 600GT has been tuned for better mid range grunt, and so makes slightly more torque than the 600S – 55Nm @ 8,000rpm. The bike has a kerb weight of 223 kg, which not only makes it heavier than its naked street sibling but also makes it heavier than its closest competitor, the Kawasaki Ninja 650.

The TNT 600GT shares a lot of cycle parts with the TNT 600S including the hybrid steel-aluminium frame, the classic tubular steel trellis at the front and the fusion of aluminium at the rear which lightens the chassis at the rear. Suspension setup consists of Benelli 50mm upside down forks and a 123mm Benelli monoshock at the rear. Braking is also taken care of by twin 320mm discs with radial mounted 4 piston calipers at the front and a single 260mm disc with double piston caliper at the rear.

DSK-Benelli has not announced the prices of its products yet, but we suspect, the TNT 600GT will be priced slightly higher than its main rival the Kawasaki Ninja 650R. This is primarily because of the four-cylinder engine. At Rs 5 lakh, ex-showroom price, the Ninja still makes for a very compelling purchase in this range of motorcycles. If DSK-Benelli prices the TNT 600GT right, it can truly become a worthy competitor and a great sports tourer with an in-line four cylinder on offer. We can’t wait for its launch and to get our hands on one for a detailed ride review!