Inline twin-cylinder of 500 cc, 47.6 hp, and 46 Nm, Marzocchi 41 mm front fork, adjustable shock absorber, Brembo brakes, 186 kg fully fueled
A year ago at the EICMA Milan Motor Show, Benelli unveiled its Tornado Naked Twin 500 roadster. Originally slated for the end of 2023 but now rescheduled for the first half of 2024, the roadster won’t be the only arrival. The Italian manufacturer has just revealed the sporty Tornado 500.
In logical progression, the sporty model has been developed based on the roadster presented last year, incorporating some design elements, such as the central twin headlight surrounded by LEDs for daytime lighting. However, the overall appearance remains notably more conventional for a sportbike.
At the heart of the motorcycle, the same liquid-cooled inline twin-cylinder engine with double overhead camshaft distribution of 500 cc is found.
In terms of the chassis, once again, a steel tube trellis frame is used, but the faired Tornado shows some differences from its naked sister. Starting with the inverted Marzocchi fork, which now has a diameter of only 41 mm and operates with a 115 mm stroke, compared to the other that had a 50 mm diameter and a 125 mm stroke. The swingarm, on the other hand, features a fully adjustable central shock absorber with a wheel travel of 125 mm.
The 17-inch aluminum wheels, fitted with 120/70 at the front and 160/60 at the rear, feature a Brembo braking system. This includes two front discs of 320 mm with radial 4-piston calipers, along with a rear disc of 260 mm and a single-piston floating caliper. Slightly more compact, the Tornado 500 also claims a lower weight than its sister, with only 186 kg in running order compared to the TNT, which weighs 199 kg.
Additionally, there’s a 5-inch color TFT display with Bluetooth connectivity and the capability to show navigation. The Tornado also features a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), a USB port, and a USB Type-C port.
Currently, Benelli has not yet specified the prices or color options for the Tornado 500, but assures that the sportbike will be available in dealerships beginning in 2024.
Technical Specifications Benelli Tornado 500:
- Engine: Inline twin-cylinder, 4-stroke, liquid-cooled, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder
- Displacement: 500 cc (69 x 66.8 mm)
- Compression Ratio: 11.5:1
- Power: 47.6 hp (35 kW) at 8,500 rpm
- Torque: 46 Nm at 6,000 rpm
- Lubrication: Wet sump
- Fuel System: Electronic fuel injection with 37 mm throttle bodies
- Ignition: Bosch MSE 6.0 ECU
- Clutch: Wet multi-disc
- Gearbox: 6-speed
- Final Drive: Chain
- Frame: Steel tube
- Front Suspension: 41 mm inverted fork, adjustable for rebound and compression, travel 115 mm
- Rear Suspension: Swingarm with centrally adjustable preload, compression, and rebound shock absorber, wheel travel 125 mm
- Front Brake: Twin semi-floating discs of 320 mm, radial 4-piston calipers, ABS
- Rear Brake: 260 mm disc, floating single-piston caliper, ABS
- Wheels: Aluminum alloy
- Front Tire: 120/70 ZR17 M/C 58W
- Rear Tire: 160/60 ZR17 M/C 69W
- Length: 2,090 mm
- Width: 770 mm
- Height: 1,155 mm
- Seat Height: 790/810 mm
- Wheelbase: 1,420 mm
- Ground Clearance: 160 mm
- Weight in Running Order: 186 kg
- Fuel Tank: 16.5 liters, including 2.5 liters reserve
Availability / Price:
- Price: Not specified
- Availability: Early 2024
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