written by on 30/10/2008
Good Points
Power delivery, turn in and cornering, seating position. LOOKS.
Bad Points
Price.
General Comments
2007 Benelli TNT
Well I had the pleasure of taking a Benelli TNT for a test ride whilst I was down on holidays in Coffs Harbour, I turned up to at about 930 and had a good look at there range of Benelli's especially the TNT Caf Racer (as that was what I went to look at). After the salesman had finished his spiel on the Caf Racer it was time for a ride I got a standard TNT, while she was sitting there warming up I thought it sounded a bit rough and rattly but was assured this is normal so I threw a leg over her and stood it up the thing felt like a 600 or even lighter. I managed to take of with out making a fool of myself :ridehorse: and headed straight down the Hwy looking for some corners, the roads were damp but not to bad I gave her a big twist in second heading down the on ramp and nearly got hit in the head by the tank I settled in to a cruise around 110 and found the sitting position quite upright and comfortable but not enough weight on the bars (the standard TNT does not have Clip-on Like the Caf Racer on which I felt was a better position for me) although the thing is naked the wind was not that bad with the lil fly screen doing a good job, while heading down the Hwy I was playing with the dash which is changed Via the starter button which was a bit unnerving at first but I soon got used to it, it had all the functions you would expect on any modern bike except a gear indicator. OK I got to some corners after my little Hwy trip and was impressed after the 1st corner it tips in with ease and holds a line with out any problem at all (and this is the standard one) making my Blade feel like a truck in contrast to the TNT, although I felt quicker on the Blade because you just don ' t feel like your pushing as hard on the TNT. The triple pulls hard and cleanly from very low revs with a brilliant sound coming from her. It was quite easy to hustle along at a good pace with only the larger bumps upsetting it, I think a steering damper would help here. The Rambo brakes pull the bike up with good feel and power but I did think they would have been better. : don ' t know:
On my way back to the bike shop I stopped in to one of my mates places who does not ride to show him and he promptly told me it was Ugly and looked Evil, well I guess some people just have no taste and I can live with the Evil (he later told me it sounded awesome when I gave it a bit leaving). I got back to the Bike shop after about an hour and a half of riding still not sore and a huge grin on my face.
This bike may not be the quickest thing around but I don't think that was the Idea behind it, I feel it was made to be FUN which it does with ease as I was grinning like a Looney the whole time I was on it and even now just thinking about it.
Do I think it is worth the $23000 price tag? Well I ordered a Caf Racer so I guess so.