2004 Benelli Tornado RS
The Tornado RS has restyled graphics compared with
the Tornado Novecento Tre. It is available in an attractive
red/black combination, giving it a more aggressive
look. The bike's exclusiveness is also emphasised
by the new colour of the frame, swingarm and steering
plate, which are black on this model. All of the changes
have helped to make the Tornado RS more original,
streamline and compact, but haven't distorted the
character of this bike, which a rider can relate to
and trust right away.
The Tornado Novecento Tre RS has the well-known 900
cc three-cylinder in-line engine, even more powerful
and high performance in this version. The delivery
system and runners have changed, to allow improved
power and torque. All of this gives excellent performance
and more regular, gradual power output. The profile
of the cams and the intake runners has changed too,
making engine operation smoother and more powerful.
Another important change has been made to the injection
control unit. The software has been optimised for
an improved ride on the track. Constant performance
is guaranteed by the addition of the oil cooling system
which uses a radiator.
The slipper clutch remains, but the Tornado RS allows
adjustment of the slipper starting point according
to each rider's driving style. Obviously, the exclusive
flexible coupling system is still present, not only
guaranteeing regular operation, but also making the
handlebar control more comfortable.
There is a fully removable six-speed gearbox which,
like on all competition bikes, allows rapid gear substitution
without taking the engine to bits. The clutch is improved
with clutch plates of different composition, providing
more constant performance, particularly on the track.
The Tornado Novecento Tre RS frame is also made by
joining the front part, including the steering pivot
and the side trellis frame structure made of molybdenum
chrome steel to the rear part, made of cast aluminium
alloy. The two parts are made integral by strong screws
securing the four trellises, which allow an extremely
solid join, reinforced by structural gluing, as in
the aeronautical industry, to completely exclude micro-movements
and vibrations.
The front fork is made by Marzocchi to a Benelli
design and has a 50 mm diameter, with a pressed end
and Ergal 55 tubes. It lends the front end greater
stability and improves the way the bike goes into
a bend. It also guarantees that the bike will hold
the trajectory at the centre of a bend and stable
braking.
The Tornado RS fork is more sporty in its set up
and allows even more extreme use on the track, thanks
to the possibility of external adjustments. It has
adjustable rebound, compression and spring pre-loading,
so that the bike can be rapidly adapted to the rider's
preferences.
The steering pin and base deserve a mention, altered
compared with the Tornado Novecento Tre to reduce
the weight of the front end and improve the strength
of the vehicle's front section. The handlebars are
set 15 mm further back, so that the rider can enjoy
an even more tucked up driving position.
The Tornado RS rear shock is made by Extreme Technology,
with an Ergal 55 central body. As well as being stronger
and lighter than the conventional models, its temperatures
remain lower, providing constant performance. However,
this version also allows for separate compression
adjustment for high and low speeds. This makes road
riding more comfortable, as well as offering the possibility
of adjustments for the track.
Like the Tornado Novecento Tre, the RS has top quality
components on which great care has been lavished.
This version has the exclusive wheels which Benelli
designed and developed with OZ. They are forged wheels,
giving a 1.750 kg weight reduction between the front
and the back and making the bike even more manageable.
They also allow faster direction changes, improvements
going into a bend and make the bike more stable during
braking. The wheels are anodised, ruling out the need
for any maintenance.
Another new feature of the Tornado RS is the Brembo
"Serie Oro" (Gold Series) front brake system
with a radial calliper. This is the most high-tech
system, able to improve system braking power and the
capacity to modulate it. The fork/calliper assembly
was designed to make the system strong enough to prevent
the calliper from bending during braking and changes
in behaviour. Compared with the conventional system,
it is even more suited to sports use on the track
since, as well as reducing wear on the brake pads,
it provides constant braking performance even in "extreme"
situations.
Other exceptional components worth mentioning:
- adjustable steering damper, which meets rider
requirements in particular on the track
- Serie Oro Regina chain much stronger than conventional
models
- mudguards made completely of carbon fibre to
reduce the weight of the vehicle
- Engine - 4-stroke, 3 cylinders in line, inclined
forward 15°, equipped with anti-vibration counterbalance
shaft
- Bore x Stroke - 88 x 49.2 mm
- Displacement - 898 cc
- Compression ratio - 11:1
- Water Cooling - water cooling with rear mounted
radiator, assisted by two electric cooling fans
Oil Cooling frontally mounted radiator
- Distribution - double overhead cam shaft, chain-driven,
with 4 valves per cylinder
- Lubrication - wet sump
- Max output/rpm - 105 kW at 11.500 rpm
- Max torque/rpm - 100 Nm at 8.500 rpm
- Ignition - electronic ignition
- Clutch - oil bath
- Gearbox - six gears, fully removable
- Transmission - primary gears, final chain
- Frame - Front trusses in ASD tubular steel securely
fitted with traction screws with aluminium alloy
casting rear section. Steering head angle fixed
23,5°
- Suspension - front: Marzocchi "upside down"
stanchion fork diameter 50 mm, adjustable in compression
and extension with spring pre-load; rear: asymmetric
swingarm, composed of cast aluminium and pressed
in aluminium alloy, with "Extreme Technology"
single shock absorber adjustable in compression,
duel regulation for low and high speed damping and
extension and spring pre-load
- Wheels - OZ in forged aluminium - Machined by
Computer Numerical Control to Benelli's specification.
Front 3,5", Rear 6.00"
- Tyres - tubeless, radial, front 120/70 x 17",
rear 190/50 x 17" Brakes: Brembo; front: double
floating disk, diameter 320 mm, with twin radial
4-piston caliper, rear: with single disk, diameter
240, with twin piston caliper
- Dimensions: wheelbase 1419 mm, seat height 810
mm
- Dry weight: 195 kg
- Price - £13,500.00
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