The Benelli Tornado Is Back! Benelli Introduces The 300, 400, And 500 Twin Cylinder Engines

November 10, 2023 / By Zunair Tahir / Automotive News

After a few years of absence, Benelli appears to be more confident than ever in the medium-displacement sports bike market. Based on what we witnessed at EICMA, it’s not even the only manufacturer that feel this market is ready for a resurgence.

Its primary target market is undoubtedly youth, and it targets them with three distinct bike models rather than just one. Three vehicles with the 300, 400, and 500 twin-cylinder engine variations bear the Tornado moniker again on their bodywork.

Benelli Tornado 300

Benelli’s “small” fairing is a fun-loving, compact sports bike that is meant to appeal to riders who are considering the world of “full-fairing.” As they say in these situations, this bike is really global. The 300cc four-stroke twin-cylinder engine powers the body.

It is an advancement over the in-line twin-cylinder seen in the 302S and 302R. There is 27 Nm of torque at 9,000 rpm and 35 horsepower (26 kW) of power at 11,000 rpm. The gearbox has a chain final drive and six speeds. The frame is constructed from tubular steel lattice and has an inverted fork with 120 mm of travel and adjustable 41 mm diameter rods.

Benelli Tornado 400

The Tornado 400, like its 300 brother, is a supersport bike that is small and appropriate for younger riders, but it does more than merely raise the standard. To start with, it weighs 172 kg, which is ten kg less than the 300, and it has sophisticated components that were created especially for this bike by Benelli R&D.

Beginning with the whole new engine and continuing with an entirely new frame geometry and swingarm design. A bike with athletic lines that enhance its bold, contemporary, and captivating style.

As previously stated, the engine is still a 399 cc four-stroke twin-cylinder, but it has been particularly tuned for the Tornado 400. There is 38 Nm of torque at 8,000 rpm and 47.6 horsepower (35.0 kW) of power at 10,000 rpm.

The “superframe” engine, which has a displacement of 399 cc and a stroke ratio of 51.8 mm and a bore of 70 mm diameter, allows it to achieve above 10,000 rpm and behave like a genuine sports bike. The crankcase and engine head are fastened to steel plates, which are based on a tubular steel framework and add to the overall strength of the frame.

Additionally, there is a unique single-sided aluminum swingarm with progressive linkage and a single central shock absorber that can be adjusted for spring preload (141 mm of wheel travel), as well as an inverted fork with a diameter of 37 mm and 115 mm of travel.

The contemporary 17-inch aluminum alloy wheels are shod with 110/70 tires up front and 150/60 tires in the back. The brakes are equipped with a 240 mm diameter disc with a two-piston floating caliper at the back and a 300 mm diameter semi-floating double disc at the front with a radial master cylinder. ABS is given. There features a 14.8-liter gasoline tank and a 795-mm seat height.

In terms of equipment, the Tornado 400 is equipped with the newest model of overlapping poly-ellipsoidal twin headlights, rather than the standard full-led headlight unit.

Furthermore, you may use the dashboard of your bike as a navigator by downloading an app on your phone and connecting via Wi-Fi. Additionally, a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) is available. Additionally, a USB connector is included with this compact sports bike.

Benelli Tornado 500

The “biggest” of the three Tornado sisters, the 500, is the last one we discuss. Aggressive lines and small proportions are also included in this modern design, which is targeted towards the worldwide market. This bike was created entirely by R&D and the Benelli Design Center in Pesaro.

The goal was to add some originality to the style by modeling larger shapes than the other Tornados and by using a unique lighting signature, in which the position lights depict the fangs of a lion, which is the Benelli symbol. The technical foundation of the bike is the same as that of the Tornado Naked Twin 500.

Conversely, the lights are incorporated into the turn signals on the back. The 500 cc, four-stroke, liquid-cooled twin-cylinder engine powers the Tornado 500. The maximum torque is 46 Nm at 6000 rpm and the maximum power is 47.6 horsepower (35 kW) at 8500 rpm. Although the engine is “old,” it has previously undergone an upgrade to meet the Euro 5+ standard.

The frame has the same classic tubular steel trellis design as the naked bike. The fork is an inverted Marzocchi with a diameter of 41 mm, adjustable spring preload, and a hydraulic brake that can brake in both compression and extension for a maximum stroke length of 115 mm.

Conversely, the swingarm with the central shock absorber and adjustable spring preload and extension damping is located in the back. Here, the travel at the wheel is 125 mm. 120/70 tires are mounted on the front and 160/60 tires are mounted on the 17-inch aluminum alloy wheels.

A 320 mm diameter semi-floating double disc with a radial master cylinder and a four-piston radial monobloc caliper on the front wheel power the Brembo brakes. A floating caliper with a single piston and a 260 millimeter diameter disc are located at the back. ABS is the norm.

The instrumentation consists of a 5-inch TFT color screen with excellent quality. It may be used to connect and cancel calls to and from a mobile phone via Bluetooth, and knobs positioned on the handlebars facilitate this process.

You may also use the Wi-Fi connection to make your bike’s dashboard a navigation. Additionally, a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) is available. as regular USB socket and USBc. The final, crucial information is as follows: the vehicle weighs 186 kg, has a 16.5 liter gasoline tank, and has a 790 or 810 mm seat.