After the drought, the flood… is a fair status comment about the superbike market in India. The world’s biggest bike brands are here and some of their meanest and most powerful models are already ripping up the streets.

But going over the top is Benelli’s next superbike – the literally explosive new TNT 1130R. With a three-cylinder engine that offers a whopping 158 horses to crank up, this bike rivals many supercars with its power to weight ratio.

The Benelli TNT 1130R was launched worldwide last year and the Italian company’s engineers picked on one of their already established models to give it a big makeover. The 1130R replaced the R160 and has become the performance king in the Benelli stable. The 1130R is modern interpretation of the naked bike and its aggressive looks match its massive performance potential.

Engine

The TNT 1130R has been widely claimed to be one of the most exhilarating naked category motorcycles in the market today. The most unique feature of the 1130R is the over-square 1,131cc triple cylinder engine which produces 116 kw (158hp) at 10,200 rpm of peak power and peak torque of 120 Nm (12.2 kg.m) at 8,400 rpm. To control all this power is an ‘ergal’ slipper clutch, covered with an impressive carbon fibre clutch cover. The transmission is a race developed 6-speed gearbox with a 1-down/ 5-up configuration.

Build

The TNT 1130R also features new high-tech chassis and suspension equipment; 50mm fully adjustable Marzocchi forks at the front, mount Brembo monoblock radial calipers, and a Sachs fully adjustable shock on a progressive link controls a tubular trestle swingarm at the rear, while a dual piston Brembo caliper clamps a 240mm rear disc to stop the rera alloy rear wheel’s progress. The swingarm is also fitted with a Benelli signature, the rear eccentric adjuster that easily changes ride height and wheel base, allowing easy adjustments to suit the rider. All of this is mounted to a tubular trestle front frame section and an aluminium rear section.

The TNT 1130R looks as impressive as it goes, finished as it is with lashings of carbon fibre; bellypan, front mudguard and tail cover. The TNT 1130R oozes an edgy, raw-muscled character for a naked motorcycle. It is said to have a truly chilling exhaust howl from the carbon exhaust.

The TNT 1130R is available in three colours – white, red and golden. Prices vary from one city to another. The ex-showroom, Delhi price is Rs 11.81 lakh. The bikes are sold in India through showrooms set up by the company’s local tie-up DSK-Benelli.

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