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Benelli Tornado Tre 900 Novecento

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Make Model

Benelli Tornado Tre 900 Novecento

Year

2003 - 04

Engine

Four stroke, transverse three cylinder, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder

Capacity

898 cc / 54.8 cu in
Bore x Stroke 85.3 x 52.4 mm mm
Compression Ratio 11.0:1
Cooling System Liquid cooled
Lubrication Wet sump

Induction

Sagem, electronic ignition with 1 injector for each cylinder

Ignition 

Electronic ignition 

Starting Electric

Max Power

104.4 kW / 140 hp @ 11500 rpm

Max Torque

95 Nm / 9.69 kgf-m / 70.1 lb-ft @ 8800 rpm

Clutch

Wet, multiplate with anti-blocking system

Transmission 

6 Speed
Final Drive Chain

Frame

Front section in chrome-molybdenum steel tubes,rear section inhollow cast aluminium box section

Front Suspension

Öhlins, adjustable in compression/rebound and preloading fork

Rear Suspension

Swingarm composed of cast and pressed Aluminium parts with Öhlins monoshock adjustable in compression rebound and preload

Front Brakes

2 x 320 mm Ø discs, 4 piston calipers

Rear Brakes

Single 240 mm Ø disc, 4 piston caliper

Front Wheel

3.5 x 17 in

Front Tyre

120/70-17

Rear Wheel

6.0 x 17 in

Rear Tyre

180/55-17

Wheelbase

1395 mm / 54.9 in

Seat Height

810 mm / 31.9 in

Dry Weight

198 kg / 437 lbs

Fuel Capacity 

20.5 Litres / 5.4 US gal

Fuel Consumption

6.2 L/100 km / 16.2 km/l / 38.1 US mpg

Standing ¼ mile

10.8 sec

Top Speed

260 km/h / 162 mph
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Why invest U.S. currency in Italian metal? That is the $30,000 question, and frankly there is no entirely rational answer. One thing is sure, however. If you have even the slightest leaning toward Italian machinery, just one look at the Benelli Tornado headed your way will send logic and sound reasoning scrambling for higher ground. 

Herein lies the absolute, infuriatingly magnetic lure of Italian machinery. It defies the sensible purchase procedure. It is akin to the greatest pair of Italian shoes fashioned from paper-thin Napa leather with barely 3mm of quick-wearing sole. Their impracticality drives you crazy, but every time they embrace your feet you marvel at their delicate composition, their perfect complexion. Like Italian metal, they are far too easily purchased on some unquantifiable whim.

The Benelli demands to be looked at and flaunts itself shamelessly, challenging the onlooker to find fault. But there is none to be found. This motorcycle is strikingly new in terms of design, technical specifications, and the exclusivity of its parts manifest. A case in point is the ground-breaking placement of the radiator beneath the seat, giving the Tornado its exquisitely tapered front end, reducing heat buildup at the center of the machine, and further enhancing the aerodynamics of a motorcycle that virtually eliminates the wind turbulence that normally afflicts riders.

Stats and specs seem so mundane when discussing a motorcycle that evokes raw emotion, but you must consider a few: the ultra-compact 898cc three-cylinder inline engine with a slipper wet clutch and a fully removable six-speed cassette gearbox; a two-piece frame (the front trellis is constructed of chrome-moly steel tubing, the hollow rear box section is cast from aluminum) that is joined using aerospace technology to eliminate vibration; a Marzocchi fork and Brembo wheels, both built to Benelli design; an Extreme Technology rear shock with an Ergal 55 central body; Brembo Gold Series brake system; and a 407-pound dry weight.

In time for this Holiday Season just 25 of the Limited Edition versions of the Benelli Tornado have been imported by Bob Smith at Moto Point Inc and distributed nationwide to a select number of dealers. Priced at $27,995, for the lucky few it will have been well worth the wait. The exquisite construction of the Benelli Tornado defies what the market has come to expect from an inaugural two-wheeler, particularly a cutting edge sports machine such as this. It is a perfect extrapolation of the classic, age-old Italian blueprint of form and function—a bike that has already proven itself dynamically excellent, both on the track and street.