Just how much are you prepared to pay for some carbon fibre? Benelli reckons it’s worth at least an extra $3500 on its TNT 1130R.
For the first time Benelli will have a carbon edition TNT 1130R, but you may have to be quick as there are only five being offered. They will cost $23,490 compared with the “standard” model at $19,990.
Carbon fibre is a lightweight and strong material that uses carbon fibres in a plastic material. It is expensive to make because a lot of material is wasted, the process uses a lot of energy and it requires big and expensive machines. It is often used in motorsport where strength and weight are crucial.
Substituting carbonfibre for the standard parts gives the 120kW TNTR 1130 an improved power-to-weight ratio. And it’s not just a few little b its of carbon fibre added here and there as bling. Carbon fibre has been used for all the fairings, chain guard, fuse cover, and front and rear fenders.
Along with the weight saving, Benelli has increased performance with new engine maps, a HPE Carbon muffler and a DNA air filter.
It comes standard with a tubular trestle swingarm fitted with an eccentric rear wheel adjuster, 50mm fully adjustable front Marzocchi forks, Sachs fully adjustable rear shocker, front twin 320mm floating wave disc brakes with radial mounted Brembo monoblock 4 piston calipers and rear single 240mm wave disc brake matched to a Brembo twin piston caliper, a race-spec sureflex ergal dry slipper clutch in an impressive carbon fibre clutch cover and a six-speed cassette gearbox controlled via a two-stage power map switch.
The TNT 1130R Carbon Edition comes with a two-year unlimited kilometre warranty and two-year premium roadside assist.
Although Benelli was bought by Chinese company Qianjiang in 2005 and several of their bikes are being built in China, Benelli is quick to poking out that the TNT 1130R Carbon Fibre is made in Italy.
The Chinese parent company sees Benelli as the jewel in the crown of its motorcycle division, which churns out 1.5 million motorcycles a year.
New models coming in the next couple of years from Benelli include the 1200cc TnT, a fully faired sportsbike and an 1800cc cruiser.