Benelli TNT135 Ownership Experience

Benelli TNT135

It’s difficult for anyone on the internet to write a review of the Benelli TNT135 without referencing the Honda Grom. However, it’s more pertinent for me, because my TNT ownership began thanks to a Chevy Lumina van making a surprise left turn in front of me and totaling my 600-mile 2022 Honda Grom. Rather than replace the bike I loved with an identical model, I took the opportunity to try an alternative in the ever-popular 125cc motorcycle category.

So Many Choices

Small displacement motorcycles might feel like a fresh phenomenon for young, US-based riders, but tiny motos have been a vital means of transportation in other parts of the world for decades. In fact, the Honda Super Cub is the best selling motorized vehicle of all time, selling over 100 million units since its debut in 1958. Fast forward to 2024, and we now have small-displacement street bike offerings from Honda in the form of the Grom (MSX125), Monkey, Super Cub (C125), and Trail 125 (CT125) (the carbureted Honda Navi is also similar enough to include here, but it’s not as direct of a competitor as the other bikes listed). In the United States, we also get Kawasaki’s aging competitor, the Z125 Pro. These are the only offerings from the traditional Japanese motorcycle brands, but over the last 10 years, many Chinese manufacturers have hit the shores with their own small road bikes. Qianjiang Motorcycle acquired storied Italian bike maker Benelli in 2005, thus giving them a more recognizable namesake under which to market their motorcycles in western markets. Their TNT135 model provides slightly more displacement than the 125cc crowd, and with a starting price of $3424 after destination, it’s hard to ignore this miniMoto competitor.

What Makes it Different?

While the Benelli TNT135 is often grouped with similar small displacement motorcycles, it has a few differentiating characteristics. Its 135cc single-cylinder engine puts it out of the legal range for any country with a graduated motorcycle license up to 125cc. This, however, doesn’t affect American buyers who are within their full legal rights to purchase a Suzuki Hayabusa without so much as a motorcycle endorsement. This larger motor, as well as twin-spark ignition, gives the TNT135 a published 11.3 hp @ 8500 rpm and 7.4 lb-ft of torque at 7000 rpm. This is an appreciable horsepower jump over a Grom, but interestingly, the Grom makes slightly more torque, and it makes that torque lower in the rev range. In the real world, this means the Benelli requires higher revs to move about town, whereas the Grom can be shifted earlier and still provide adequate thrust. Additionally, the Benelli is saddled with 256 lbs, more than most bikes in this class, meaning power-to-weight is nearly identical to the Honda. Aside from the engine, the TNT offers comparable equipment to the competition—there’s no earth-shattering tech at this price point. The rear shock has adjustable pre-load, and there are five gears in the transmission. Something you cannot option on the TNT135 is ABS. To some, this isn’t a big deal, but while ABS can technically increase your braking distance on a motorcycle, it’s statistically safer in emergency scenarios, especially for beginner riders.

135cc thumper

The Good

Bigger is typically better, and little bikes aren’t often cool. But Benelli did a great job making the TNT135 look like a proper motorcycle. Aggressively styled white headlamps give the bike a mean mug, and an open painted chassis below plastic body work provides substance to the style. Twin exhaust pipes are a bit silly considering there’s only one combustion chamber, but admittedly they do add to the cool factor. In the rear, a low floating fender design nearly eliminates the need to a fender eliminator. Benelli offers four different bold color combos, many more than most bikes receive. Despite being a small bike, you still get passenger seat accommodations. While the instrument cluster is simple, I appreciate the analog tachometer both for aesthetics as well as ease of reading. While 91-octane fuel is recommended, you can get away with running 87 if you don’t plan on running the engine hard.

Gotta love that tach

The Bad

The TNT135’s extra displacement and horsepower are the biggest selling points over the 125cc competition, but as mentioned above, the Benelli’s extra weight nullifies the additional power. Furthermore, because the power is hidden high in the rev range, you spend most of your riding listening to a buzzy, strung out single-cylinder motor below you. Speaking of weight, an extra 20 pounds makes a difference when you’re hopping curbs, running around off-road, or even lifting the bike into the back of a minivan. While I appreciate the analog tach, the instrument cluster lacks a gear indicator, something helpful to newer riders. In our ownership duration, we experienced a bent key, a perpetually squeaky front wheel, and I couldn’t get the headlights aimed properly. The low beams were too low, and the high beam was both too high and too concentrated in the center of the road. And, unlike a Honda, the Benelli dealership network is sparse, so simply brining the bike in for an adjustment was easier said than done. Oh and your owners manual? About 20 pages thick.

You could just have a moped

Reflecting

The Benelli TNT135 is a fine little motorcycle in isolation. If you can walk out of a dealer with one for less than $3000 or pick one up off Facebook Marketplace for under $2k, then you’ll have a fun bike to play around with that won’t cost much to maintain or repair. But just because you get an extra 10 cubic inches between your legs, don’t think the TNT135 is a value homerun. Between 125cc competition and electric bikes that can accelerate harder and reach similar speeds, there are more solid and enjoyable ways to go fast for $3000. If a TNT135 calls your name, answer the call, but don’t be afraid to hang up.

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