Benelli’s cute £2299 TNT125
At £2299 the latest Benelli TnT 125 is gunning for a slice of the Grom market
Small-wheel 125s such as Honda’s MSX125 ‘Grom’ have a certain appeal. Let’s be honest, there is nothing sensible about these machines and most ‘normal’ sized riders look fairly ridiculous on them. But they are brilliant fun and as a result many have cult followings with owners spending small fortunes on mods. Can Benelli’s upgraded 2020 TnT 125 steal a slice of this market?
On the money
The TnT 125 costs £2299. After a £99 deposit it is £67.62 a month over a three-year HP plan with 6.9% APR. Honda’s MSX125 is £3449 but is currently on a 0% two-year PCP deal (there is also a 6.9% threeyear PCP option), which is £75 a month after a £252.27 deposit with a £1446.68 final payment. The firm’s Monkey is £3799, which is £109 a month over three years HP (there is a PCP option) after a £243.03 deposit with 6.9% APR. So the TnT is the bargain small-wheel option.
Little beauty
You can’t expect too much from a 125cc air-cooled single but the TnT’s five-speed engine buzzes along and will hold 60mph, which is more than enough on a bike with 12-inch wheels that is only a metre tall.
Its twin-spark head is also pretty efficient with economy figures in the 120mpg range. In town it is more than fast enough away from the lights, the clutch action is very light and the gearbox action positive. The mirrors vibrate like crazy, but the engine is generally being thrashed, so what do you expect?
Life in the urban jungle
Small wheels, a 124kg wet weight and a 1215mm wheelbase mean that the TnT is super-agile. In town the Benelli zips through gaps and on the open road it is pleasingly stable in a straight line. The suspension is perfectly acceptable and the combined brakes (there’s no ABS here) have enough bite to lock the front or do a stoppie if you hammer them hard enough - although you can’t do skids as the rear brake is linked to the front.
One size fits all
Taller riders should note that the TnT’s tank’s recesses are too low to slot your knees into, meaning their pointy edge presses uncomfortably on your leg.
Italian style
Owned by Qianjiang, all Benellis are built in China but the styling and R&D is based in Italy and that shows as the TnT is more flamboyant than its rivals. The parent company is Geely Holding Group, an automotive giant that owns Volvo so they are far from small players, which is reassuring in terms of spare parts supply.