Benelli Tornado Tre 900

[BobW]

Nasty stuff, Bob! Can you expand the PDI for me? What was the cause of the breakage? You'd probably rather forget the whole ugly affair!

Bike was brand new. PDI = Pre Delivery Inspection, it’s the workshop procedure for ensuring A new vehicle is ready for use. The crash occurred after 80 miles. I had assumed there was a manufacturing fault that cased the fracture. During the case I realised that their Workshop Foreman who was claimed to have done the work, that there was no evidence ie. statement or any documentation from him. My barrister was very poor and couldn’t pick up the relevant points. I was in court fizzing at what was being claimed.

I had involved DVLA’s vehicle defects branch believing they would investigate a potentially fatal crash. I was so wrong, they no longer have the resources to do that, and hand the investigation over to the importer. In this case they owned the dealer & hence a vested interest.
The surfaces of the broken axle show signs of a stress fracture. The company had had it tested by a metalurgy lab, as evide by the sections cut from the axle. This was one of the lies thei CEO told in court, claiming it had only been visually inspected. Strange there was no evidence presented of this inspection. I still have the parts, but have not had them tested, as I could not afford an appeal process.

You’re right I would like to forget, but 10 years on it still bugs me.

 

[CLEMTOG]

I will remind you again in 10 years time then Bob, tee hee.
CLEM

 

[Reunited Chris]

Chris, what is the difference between the Standard TRE and the RS

The RS was designed as a Track Bike with many differences to the Tre. 365 produced, 8 of which came to Aus costing $35,000.00 each in 2005, not cheap.
Engine upgrades to the compression ratio, cam profiles and delivery system to improve power and torque to 143 HP @ 11,500 rpm, 100Nm torque @ 8,500 rpm. Injection control optimized for track work.
Fully removeable 6 speed gearbox. Different clutch plate composition for more constant performance.
Upgraded suspension, 50mm upside down Marzocchi forks designed by Benelli.
Rear shock designed and made by Extreme Technologies. Lighter and less likely to heat up.
Wheels again designed and developed by Benelli with OZ, they are forged and lighter than std.
Rear tyre size upped to 190/50-17.
Brembo "Serie Ora" front brakes with radial calipers, magic, one finger only required.
Adjustable steering damper, Carbon fibre guards and last but not least, RED FANS.
The RS is a true sports bike made for the track or fast country roads, not so much for city work.
I like both bikes, the standard Tre is an excellent all round bike with plenty of poke and easier to ride at sane speeds. The RS on the other hand is great on the track and an easier way to loose your license hooning around on the roads.

 

[Nice Bloke]

I had two 1130s one a cafe racer and the second a TNT Sport both made you feel like Valentino Rossi,
Shite fuel consumption shite fuel injection system.
But I loved them both

 

[BobW]

The RS was designed as a Track Bike with many differences to the Tre.

Chris, I’m not sure if I’ve understood your message, and unclear what you mean by ‘designed as a Track Bike’.

The actual history is the the 2 prototypes appeared in 2000, on the Isle of Man with a Parade lap at the TT. I was there, and there were substantial differences, biggest being they ran with a ‘Big Bang’ firing order.
The LE’s (Limited Editions) were built in order to homologate for Aussie, Peter Goddard to race in the 2001 WSB championship.
2002 the Tornado Tre 900 LE’s were on sale (think Laverda SFC) on sale at £27500 which included your own race kit.
2003 the standard Tornado 900 Tre were produced with a UK price of £12000
2004 the Tornado 900 RS came out as an upgraded Tre (think Laverda SF). The RS was a capable track day, but was never raced. The UK price was £14000.
For the additional £2000 premium over the Tre, the RS benefits from radial brake calipers, uprated Marzocchi forks, forged OZ wheels. In addition there’s carbon mudguards. The engine got new profile cams, a new fuel-injection map and an adjustable slipper clutch, plus unique colour schemes.
The RS was a low production model, and well sought after, having elevated values.

I may be biased but the RS is better than the Tre, but not comparable to the LE.

 

[Reunited Chris]

2004 the Tornado 900 RS came out as an upgraded Tre (think Laverda SF). The RS was a capable track day, but was never raced. The UK price was £14000.
For the additional £2000 premium over the Tre, the RS benefits from radial brake calipers, uprated Marzocchi forks, forged OZ wheels. In addition there’s carbon mudguards. The engine got new profile cams, a new fuel-injection map and an adjustable slipper clutch, plus unique colour schemes.
The RS was a low production model, and well sought after, having elevated values.

Bob,

You're correct the RS was a capable track day bike, I didn't mean to infer anything else.
Agreed the RS is better than the Tre, but not comparable to the LE.