Benelli TNT 25 launched for Rs 1.68 lac

Benelli doesn’t get as much good press for their motorcycles in India despite their very competitive pricing. That should change with the launch of their new TNT 25 single-cylinder 250cc street motorcycle. At 28bhp, it’s not going to win a numbers war with the likes of KTM, but at Rs 1.68 lac and Rs 1.75 lac for the two variants, it’s certainly giving them something to think about.

The TNT 25 has been some time coming, and DSK have taken the time to tweak it for local conditions. Ground clearance, for instance, is up compared to international models. The standard and premium variants differ only in their tyre choice: the cheaper bike gets MRFs, while the more expensive one gets Metzelers. For a measly Rs 7000 difference, we’d suggest opting for the Metzelers — the same Sportec M5s used on the KTMs — for their superior grip. Both types of tyres use the same sizes: 110/70–17 front and 150/60–17 rear. The TNT 25 benefits from the Benelli parts bin, using beefy 50mm shocks up front, which should be more than adequate for this 159kg bike (kerb weight).

Other components also punch above their weight. The alloys are a traditional 12-spoke design but look rather slick in slate-grey. Brake discs are petal-shaped, though modest in size. They do use steel-braided lines, however, so feel should be nice. The engine is liquid-cooled and makes a competitive amount of power, so we expect temps to remain moderate. Benelli will be offering a host of branded accessories for the TNT 25 to allow buyers to customise their bikes with decals, colour-coordinated levers, footpegs and such. At these prices, the Mahindra 2 Wheelers has a lot to ponder about their recently-launched Mojo.