Benelli TNT 125 (2020 - on) Review

Highlights

  • Simple, small and lightweight
  • Cheap to buy and run
  • Learner-friendly city centre fun

At a glance

Owners' reliability rating: 4.3 out of 5 (4.3/5)
Annual servicing cost: £80
Power: 11 bhp
Seat height: Low (30.7 in / 780 mm)
Weight: Low (273 lbs / 124 kg)

Prices

New £2,499
Used £1,800 - £2,300

Overall rating

Next up: Ride & brakes
4 out of 5 (4/5)

If you are into small-wheeled bikes, the Benelli TNT 125 is a 125cc motorcycle (as the name suggests) that delivers in every aspect. As well as being remarkable value for money, its styling is wonderfully flamboyant and the ride quality on a par with what you would expect on such a genre of bike.

Although not quite as prevalent as with the Honda MSX125 Grom, you can still buy hop-up parts for the TNT (big-bore etc), meaning you can customise it further or just go bonkers with the motor’s performance... however, most bikes will be for learner riders, so you'll need to retain the factory specification or insurance costs will begin mounting quickly.

The Tornado Naked T 125, to use its full name, has a thriving online community over at the Benelli TNT 125 Owners' Club on Facebook.

Benelli TNT 125 on the road

Ride quality & brakes

Next up: Engine
4 out of 5 (4/5)

Small wheels, a 124kg wet weight and a 1215mm wheelbase means that the Benelli TNT 125 is super-agile, especially when 90kg of rider starts to add some influence with their body position!

In town the Benelli zips through gaps and on the open road it is pleasingly stable in a straight line while still retaining its agility in bends.

The suspension is perfectly acceptable for the speed of the bike and the combined brakes (the TNT lacks ABS) 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.

Benelli TNT 125 static

Comfort isn’t really a consideration on a small-wheeled bike but 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. With a 780mm seat height, high bars and low pegs the TNT is about as ergonomically-pleasing as a bike like this ever can be.

Engine

Next up: Reliability
4 out of 5 (4/5)

You can’t expect too much from a learner legal 125cc air-cooled single but the TNT’s five-speed engine buzzes along merrily and will hold 60mph, which is more than enough on a bike with 12-inch wheels that is only a meter tall!

Benelli TNT 125 engine

Its twin-spark head is also pretty efficient with economy figures in the 120mpg range easily achievable and it makes a decent 11.1bhp with 7.4ftlb of torque.

In town it is more than fast enough accelerating away from the lights and the clutch action very light and gearbox positive. The mirrors vibrate like crazy but the little engine is generally being thrashed to hell so what do you expect?

Reliability & build quality

Next up: Value
4 out of 5 (4/5)

Owned by the Chinese company Qianjiang, all Benellis are built in China but the styling and R&D department is based in Italy. Qianjiang’s parent company is Geely Holding Group, an automotive manufacturer that owns Volvo and Lotus so they are far from small players, which is reassuring in terms of spare parts supply.

When you pay such a low price for a bike you have to expect some compromises however there is nothing to hint at a lack of build quality and the 125cc motor is a reliable unit that is tried and tested.

Our Benelli TNT 125 owners' reviews show a mainly favourable score, with the prevailing negative appearing to be a lack of power - something that's unlikely to change given the regulations for learner riders in the UK.

Value vs rivals

Next up: Equipment
5 out of 5 (5/5)

Built in China (like most of its rivals) the TNT costs just £2499 on the road in 2022. This compares very favourably to the £3449 Honda MSX125 Grom, although the build quality of the Honda is better, it's arguably not £1000 better.

The similarly diminutive Honda Monkey set you back £3799 at the time, but its chic retro styling makes it a different prospect to the Benelli and with a different audience.

The aggressively-styled Sinnis Akuma with its slash-cut triple exit exhausts and integrated rear light clusters costs about the same as the Benelli and it comes with a seven year warranty.

If you want to finance it, Benelli are offering a HP deal at 6.9% APR that sees you paying £76.84 a month over three years after a £99 deposit. This figure has risen a fair amount since launch in 2020, so keep an eye on the deals to make sure you're getting the best possible value. Finance packages can be taken out over 60, 48, 36 or 24 month periods.

Benelli TNT 125 right side

Equipment

3 out of 5 (3/5)

Benelli have focused more on the TNT’s styling than its equipment level and you have to say they have done a great job with lovely details such as its twin stacked exhausts, trellis frame, bold paint and spider eye headlights.

Benelli TNT 125 dash

The LCD dash has a fuel gauge, clock and trips but there is no gear indicator and the brakes are combined and therefore lack an ABS system. There again, what equipment do you really expect on a bike such as this and the TNT does have inverted forks and adjustable spring preload on its shock, which is good.

Specs

Engine size 125cc
Engine type Air-cooled, 4v, single
Frame type High-tensile tubular steel trellis
Fuel capacity 7.2 litres
Seat height 780mm
Bike weight 124kg
Front suspension 35mm inverted forks, non-adjustable
Rear suspension Monoshock, adjustable spring preload
Front brake 1 x 210mm disc with three-piston caliper. Linked brakes
Rear brake 190mm single disc with single-piston caliper. Linked brakes
Front tyre size 120/70 x 12
Rear tyre size 130/70 x 12

Mpg, costs & insurance

Average fuel consumption 120 mpg
Annual road tax £25
Annual service cost £80
New price £2,499
Used price £1,800 - £2,300
Insurance group -
How much to insure?
Warranty term Two years

Top speed & performance

Max power 11 bhp
Max torque 7.4 ft-lb
Top speed 65 mph
1/4 mile acceleration -
Tank range 200 miles

Model history & versions

Model history

  • 2017: The Benelli TNT 125 is launched aimed at a 'youthful dynamic audience'.
  • 2020: Small upgrades are made to the mini fun bike from Benelli including the styling and motor’s ECU.

Other versions

None.

Owners' reviews for the BENELLI NAKED T 125 (2020 - on)

3 owners have reviewed their BENELLI NAKED T 125 (2020 - on) and rated it in a number of areas. Read what they have to say and what they like and dislike about the bike below.

Review your BENELLI NAKED T 125 (2020 - on)

Summary of owners' reviews

Overall rating: 4.7 out of 5 (4.7/5)
Ride quality & brakes: 4.3 out of 5 (4.3/5)
Engine: 4.3 out of 5 (4.3/5)
Reliability & build quality: 4.3 out of 5 (4.3/5)
Value vs rivals: 4.7 out of 5 (4.7/5)
Equipment: 4.7 out of 5 (4.7/5)
Annual servicing cost: £80
5 out of 5 Small bike, Big fun.
15 September 2021 by Simon Waltham

Year: 2020

Annual servicing cost: £110

This may be smaller than most 125cc bikes but it doesn't feel like it when you are riding it. The five speed gearbox is nice and smooth and acceleration through gears 1 to 4 is surprisingly quick from the twin spark four valve engine. The seat height is only 780mm but at 6ft tall my knees sit comfortably into the sides of the small tank. The top speed is about 65mph but the bike gets a little bit buzzy near the red line, so on a long run 50 to 55mph is a comfortable speed without beating up your engine. The brakes are CBS rather than ABS but still deliver a smooth input when applied. The bike also corners extremely well and because it is lightweight you don't feel like it's going to drop on you. The only problem I found was the cordial tyres it comes with are fine in the dry but in the wet they try their hardest to get you an appointment at your local A&E department as I very nearly found out on a roundabout when the front tyre decided it wanted to go in a different direction to the back tyre. A pair of Pirelli Diablo tyres has solved the problem and now cornering in the wet is much more confident. The bike is excellent value for money and huge fun to ride. The exhaust system looks pretty cool with its twin pipes and sounds great aswell. The tail of the bike looks great aswell with the number plate being mounted on a hugger over the rear wheel. I think it looks pretty cool but opinion is devided on this. Fuel consumption is great and a recent 340 mile round trip cost me less than £15. Would I recommend buying this bike? Yes I would.

Ride quality & brakes 4 out of 5

I tend to take a break about every 60 miles on a long run and it gives the little engine a rest aswell.

Engine 4 out of 5

Plenty of power through the first four gears and smoothly delivered.

Reliability & build quality 4 out of 5

Stock tyres let it down but apart from that it's a good little bike.

Value vs rivals 4 out of 5

Benelli parts are reasonably cheap to buy.

Equipment 5 out of 5

The bike looks really good but if you want to ride in all weathers then investing in decent tyres is a must. Pirelli Diablo would be a good choice and they are a bit kinder over the bumps and lumps on the back roads.

Buying experience: Purchased new in 2020 £2499 otr

5 out of 5
27 August 2021 by Flower2307

Year: 2021

Great bike! Easy to ride and lightweight and easy to handle!! Great to learn on! And do a CBT on!I love my bike!!

Ride quality & brakes 5 out of 5
Engine 5 out of 5
Reliability & build quality 5 out of 5
Value vs rivals 5 out of 5
Equipment 5 out of 5
4 out of 5 Good fun around getting around the city.
27 October 2020 by Michael GR

Version: Red color

Year: 2020

Annual servicing cost: £50

Good motorcycle for getting around the city. Also great fun. Quality is just a bit under par with Honda MSX 125 but makes up for lower price, better style and extra seat height. Excellent for maneuvering. Would avoid motorways or going over 90 km/hr or 55 mph especially on a windy day. Would not recommend taking on a passenger unless you a have petite partner.

Ride quality & brakes 4 out of 5

Would like to see 150 version for a few more hp.

Engine 4 out of 5

A 150 cc version would probably earn a 5th star.

Reliability & build quality 4 out of 5

Probably too early to tell but so far so good. Some squeak sound from rear wheel in the morning but may be due to humidity as it goes away but will definitely bring it up at 1000 km 1st service at the rep.

Value vs rivals 5 out of 5

Have only owned it a month in Greece and have done 500 km so still breaking the engine in with another 500 km to go until next dinosaur oil change. The 7 liter tank gives about 200 km or 125 mile range which is above the specs but then again all of my riding is in the city with a lot of stop lights. Rep gave additional 2 year warranty on top of manufacturer's 2 years (2+2) which was a huge selling point at 2150 euros or 1950 pounds. Oil change is around 25 euros or 23 pound and I estimate a couple of oil changes a year for 5000 km or 3100 miles.

Equipment 4 out of 5

Would like to have seen a gear indication on the instrument panel as it seems to have the space for it! ABS with option to turn it off would have been nice but the has CBS is satisfactory stopping power. Higher power LED lights would also be a plus.

Buying experience: Great rep.

Back to top