Benelli Tornado 1130 2009 — Specifications

When Pesaro decides to correct course, it doesn't do things by halves. The 900 version of the Tornado had everything to impress on paper: a singing triple-cylinder, an Italian sportbike silhouette that cut through the uniformity of Japanese four-cylinders. But 138 horsepower against the CBRs, R1s, and GSX-Rs of the era was like playing a championship match a man down. Benelli learned from this imbalance, and the answer is called the Benelli Tornado 1130.

The solution came from within the family. The big 1130 cc three-cylinder engine that already powered the TnT roadster was transplanted into the sportbike's steel tubular trellis frame, not without receiving a few high-rpm-oriented tweaks. The result: 163 horsepower at 10,500 rpm and 121.6 Nm of torque at 8,000 rpm, all in a chassis that tips the scales at just 195 kg dry. It's a power-to-weight ratio worth dwelling on, especially since the six-speed gearbox offers a generous usable range thanks to a short bore of 62 mm for a stroke of 88 mm and a compression ratio raised to 13:1. The 50 mm inverted fork, radially mounted four-piston calipers on 320 mm discs up front, and 190/50 17-inch tires round out a package that clearly targets the upper end of the sport spectrum.

What sets this engine apart from Japanese four-cylinders is its character. In the TnT, this triple proved generous from mid-range, with a power delivery unlike anything from a comparable configuration. Transplanted beneath the Tornado's bodywork, one can legitimately anticipate a motorcycle capable of reaching the claimed 290 km/h while remaining usable on public roads — something the Japanese hypersports of the era didn't always make easy for non-professional riders.

The changes over the 900 version remain measured: the radially mounted calipers represent the most tangible upgrade, alongside those extra 25 horsepower and a revised livery. The tall 810 mm seat height and 18-liter tank carry over unchanged. This is not a redesign, but a targeted update. Those looking for a used Benelli Tornado 1130 today will find a motorcycle that has retained a strong identity — that of a European sportbike that refused to copy Asian recipes, at the cost of a few compromises in finish quality and perceived reliability that have historically weighed on resale values. For those who embrace this fully committed Latin character, the Benelli Tornado 1130 for sale represents a genuinely different alternative in a segment where everything was starting to look the same.