2019 Benelli TNT 135 launch review

Motorcycling’s an enjoyable pursuit, and the terms of reference are huge. That gratification even extends to commuting, and over the last few years a range of 12-inch wheeled, big-hearted fun learner-approved machines have been making their presence felt – namely the Kawasaki Z125 Pro, Honda Grom and Benelli TNT 125.

Benelli’s TNT 125 came along in 2017, and now the Pesaro-headquartered company has upped the ante with the TNT 135.

A cold winter’s morning in Melbourne, with rain threatening, wasn’t my idea of an uplifting way to start the Benelli TNT 135 launch – until I laid my eyes on the new machine. I then warmed to the idea of spending the day checking out some iconic sights in the Victorian capital, followed by a spin on a suburban go-kart track.

There were six brand new Benelli TNT 135s at our disposal – the total rideaway cost of the entire batch the equivalent of one modern day sports bike!

Price for the TNT 135 is $3990 rideaway.

The TNT 135 has all the usual features you would expect to see on a larger capacity motorcycle: discs front and rear, a nice dash with analogue tacho and LCD speedo, comfy, upright ergonomics and a surprisingly a decent amount of room.

It’s a lovely little bike to look at and, compared to its competition, every bit as good. I almost feel like you could pull the tank stickers off any of them and it would be difficult to tell them apart – except for the distinctive side pipes on the Benelli and the extra 10cc in capacity!

Related:
2017 Benelli TNT 125 launch

That extra boost makes it more powerful than the Kawasaki and Honda, but it's now also a little more expensive to register through ‘bracket creep’.

The Benelli TNT 135 is made in China but designed in Italy like so many motorcycles these days. Nothing new there, and the build quality is excellent.

This was the first time I had ridden a bike of this ilk. I certainly like how easy it is to manoeuvre in areas where a bigger bike would normally produce some uncertainty. It’s almost like moving a bicycle around.

There is ample power to keep up with and pass cars, and a tight lock makes easy work of slow-moving traffic. Like all of these bikes, it’s ‘buzzy’ and sits on about 5000rpm at 60km/h and 7000rpm at 80km/h.

The air- and oil-cooled TNT will also hit 110km/h-plus, so riding on freeways is not out of the question. The gearing makes for easy take offs and the throttle connection is smooth.

The tyres are by a brand called Cordial. The tyres to live up to their name, but I would suggest looking for a grippier set as extra insurance when they are due for replacement.

The TNT’s not only fun on public roads, but practical. It also put a smile on the faces of the car drivers…

Why ride the Benelli TNT 135 on a race track? In all probability, it’s never going to be used by anyone in such an environment, so what’s the point?

Let me explain, A it’s fun, and B it helps to convey that it’s a serious piece of kit. The track is a place where we can push every aspect to the limit – and that we did.

For a start, the frame is over-engineered, and its capability extends way beyond the bike’s power output. Flex or stiffness aren’t an issue.

The suspension is up to the task as well, and I just added some preload on the rear to mitigate an initial tendency to run a little wide on some of the tighter corners.

I was most impressed by the engine: it’s quite fast (in context) and very reliable – the rev-limiter got a thorough workout. The five-speed gearbox is great, and the clutch handles a lot of abuse.

We regularly stopped for coffee and contemplation on the TNT 135 launch, and there was the usual banter that connects motorbike riders together. It struck me that the TNT gave us all almost everything a big bike did except for the speed. Personally, I enjoyed my time on the TNT with very little to fault.

ENGINE
Type: Air-cooled, four-stroke four-valve single
Capacity: 135cc
Bore x stroke: 54mm x 58.8mm
Compression ratio: 9.8:1
Engine management: Electronic fuel injection

PERFORMANCE
Claimed maximum power: 12.7hp (9.5kW) at 9000rpm
Claimed maximum torque: 10.8Nm at 7000rpm

TRANSMISSION
Type: Five-speed
Final drive: Chain
Clutch: Wet, multi-plate

CHASSIS AND RUNNING GEAR
Frame: Steel trellis
Front suspension: 41mm upside-down fork, non-adjustable
Rear suspension: Monoshock, adjustable for preload
Front brakes: 220mm disc with radial-mounted twin-piston caliper
Rear brake: 190mm disc with single-piston caliper
Tyres: Cordial, front 120/70-12, rear 130/70-12

DIMENSIONS AND CAPACITIES
Claimed kerb weight: 128.2kg
Seat height: 780mm
Ground clearance: 160mm
Wheelbase: 1215mm
Fuel capacity: 7.2 litres

OTHER STUFF
Price: $3990 rideaway
Colours: Red, white or black
Test bike supplied by: Urban Moto Imports, benelli.com.au
Warranty: 24 months/unlimited kilometres with 24 months of roadside assistance