Benelli Tornando first test

Benelli has allowed us a first taste of its new Tornado Limited Edition – and preliminary impressions are that the £22,500 machine goes as good as it looks.

You can read Marc Potter’s full test in this week’s MCN – out on April 3

*It sounds a bit rough and mechanical at low revs and the fuel-injection is quite snatchy (something the factory say they will sort on production models), but that’s all forgiven when you clear 4000rpm. The triple screams with loads of induction noise and a deep howl from the specially made Arrow exhaust.

*The gearbox is light and positive with just the right amount of movement between gears. *By 5000rpm the noise makes it feel like you’re really going and the bike is pulling so cleanly. At 8000rpm there’s another step-up in the noise and power and it pulls hard up to the rev-limiter at 11,500rpm.

*I don’t think in it’s making quite the claimed 140bhp but it’s not far off.

*The chassis is a blinder. As easy to get on with as a GSX-R but with much firmer suspension and the rear Ohlins and Dunlop D2078 tyre tells you exactly how much power you’re putting down.

*If you want a real race replica, then this is it, the sound is identical and the chassis is nearly as accurate, it’s just down on power and doesn’t brake as hard as the WSB bike.