Benelli TNT 1130 R 160 2013 — Specifications

Fishing through the catalog of a small Italian brand returned from the dead to find one of the most radical motorcycles of its generation — that would have raised eyebrows twenty years ago. Yet that is exactly what Benelli offers with this TNT 1130 R 160, the extreme version of a roadster that was already far from mild-mannered. The 1131 cc three-cylinder hasn't grown by a single cubic centimeter compared to the standard model, but engineers carved into it with compression raised to 12.5:1 and a reworked valve timing to extract 158 horsepower at 10,200 rpm and 119.6 Nm at 8,400 rpm. Twenty more horsepower than the classic TNT, achieved without flashy electronic wizardry. This is raw, old-school mechanical work.

Against it, the Ducati Streetfighter of the same era plays in the same ballpark on power. The comparison ends there, because the Benelli offers a three-cylinder soundtrack that the Bolognese V-twin simply cannot replicate. This engine expels its gases through a carbon exhaust that contributes as much to the aesthetics as to weight reduction. The tubular perimeter frame reinforced by aluminum plates holds 208 kg dry, or 225 kg ready to ride. It's no featherweight, but at 158 horsepower, the power-to-weight ratio remains formidable. The seat perched at 820 mm and the raised handlebar place the rider in a high, combat-ready position, arms slightly extended over a machine that is just waiting to charge.

The technical specification justifies a good portion of the €14,890 asking price. The 50 mm inverted Marzocchi fork works over 120 mm of travel, while the Sachs ZF rear shock provides the same amplitude. The 320 mm petal discs at the front, gripped by radial four-piston calipers, do their job with surgical precision. The 190/50-17 rear tyre plants the rear end to the tarmac with an effectiveness that those 119.6 Nm of torque would quickly overwhelm on a less substantial rubber. The six-speed gearbox handles transitions without hesitation, and the final chain drive remains straightforward to maintain.

What truly sets the 1130 R 160 apart in its era is that all-out aggressive red livery wrapping a powertrain itself dressed in black and carbon. The ventilated alternator cover, airbox side covers, and discreet belly pan — all these composite elements trim weight without tipping into showmanship. Benelli built a motorcycle that is coherent from end to end, where every aesthetic choice answers a technical or weight-driven logic. The KTM Super Duke R of the same period is more restless in every direction on the road, but it lacks this sculptural quality, this feeling of holding something finished and fully committed.

This TNT 1130 R 160 is clearly not aimed at beginners, nor even at occasional riders. Its sharp character, top-end power delivery, and high 820 mm seat make it a machine for experienced pilots, comfortable with heavy torque and physically demanding bikes in urban environments. On open roads or on track, it finds its full measure. Top speed quoted at 250 km/h, a 16-liter tank that demands stops before long stretches — this is not a tourer, it is an instrument built for intensity. For those who accept that contract, it is probably one of the most sincere expressions of the transalpine-engined streetfighter of its generation.