Quick Ride

Quick Ride

BENELLI TORNADO 900 Pop, pop, fizz, fizz

THE BENELLI TORNADO TRE is one of the most striking sportbikes ever created. Its stylish lines partly result from a unique design feature: an underseat radiator with dual heat-extraction fans beneath the taillight. Recently, Benelli introduced the standard version of the Tre at Circuit Paul Ricard, also known as “Le Castellet,” in the windiest portion of southern France.

Unveiled last September in Munich, Germany, the threecylinder machine retains the appearance of the original limited-edition model. Both bikes are powered by a liquidcooled, dohc, 12-valve, 900cc three-cylinder slice of the old Ford-Cosworth Formula One V10. The engine is radically oversquare, as its 88.0 x 49.2mm bore and stroke indicate. Fuel and spark are managed electronically by an integrated system that features 53mm throttle bodies. Benelli claims 136 horsepower at 11,500 rpm, and 74 foot-pounds of torque at 8500 rpm.

By adopting an F-l-derivative Triple, Benelli hoped to offer the best of both worlds: lots of power at high revs and plenty of torque down low, all in a compact package that would fit neatly in a state-of-the-art hybrid tubular-steel/cast-aluminum frame with 23.8 degrees of rake and 3.7 inches of trail. But because Triples are not naturally balanced, the engine gives away power through vibration and by turning a corresponding

balance shaft. To compensate for these losses, radical camshaft timing with plenty of overlap is used. As a result, the strong low-end throttle response typical of an inline-Three is lost. In fact, smooth response doesn’t come until the rev counter has passed 5000 rpm. Off-throttle braking is accompanied by loud pops and bangs from the engine, along with spectacular flashes from the muffler. At least acceleration is very exciting in the upper revs.

Downsides to the underseat novelties are a tall seat height and a forward-tilting riding posture that puts significant load on your wrists. But because the elegantly turned-out seat is very slippery, it’s very easy to slide back under hard acceleration, prompting unwanted wheelies.

The riding position is the work of Gianluca Galasso, the test rider who followed project engineer Pierluigi Marconi from Bimota to Aprilia and then to Benelli. Marconi inherited the Tornado from former chief engineer Riccardo Rosa, who developed the chassis and engine.

A walking tour of the Tornado suggests a very refined motorcycle. In fact, the basic engineering, design and components are first-rate. The engine, however, still needs work. Detuning it slightly would give away little outright performance, and pay great dividends in low-end response and drivability. In the end, then, the $18,950 Tre is an Italian sportbike in the most traditional sense, with the good and bad that comes with that moniker.

—Bruno de Prato