Motorcycles in 150cc segment attract a lot of interest amongst buyers because they not only provide best value for money but also provide easy handling and comfortable ride. People are attracted towards 150cc segment for great looks, decent power & mileage, and motorcycle manufacturers know that.
Benelli previously had overlooked this segment, and now the company has launched not one but two new motorcycles in this 150 cc segment in Nepali market – the TNT 15 and TNT 150.
Additionally, the company has also launched another 250 cc motorcycle , BN251 which not only is versatile and affordable but also designed to deal with a wide range of daily tasks.
Over the past half-century Benelli has been completely reinvented, with the key change being the 2005 takeover by the Chinese motorcycle manufacturer Quianjang. Since then, new bikes have been designed in the West but built in the East, and perhaps as a consequence, the brand still seems to be defining its identity. It has one foot in China and one foot in Italy; one foot in the 20th century, and one in the 21st.
Lets take a quick look at new Benelli motorcycles launched in Nepali market 2DAY.
Benelli TNT 15
The 150cc TNT15 naked bike is powered by an air-cooled single-cylinder 148cc engine, mated to a five-speed gearbox. The motorcycle produces maximum power of 12.06 bhp@8500 RPM and a torque of 11.0 NM @ 6000 RPM , the two-valve engine has a compression ratio of 9.2:1 and is plonked on a normal tubular chassis.
The bike is equipped with tubeless 90/90-17 profile tyre on front and 110/90-17 at rear, with disc brakes available on front wheels only.
In terms of looks, the TNT 15 sports a muscular, sculpted fuel tank with styling clearly taking inspiration from bigger Benellis. The headlamp is reminiscent of the TNT 300 and the TNT 15 also gets tank extension panels, colour coordinated belly pan, split seats and a stubby side-mounted exhaust.
Suspension consists of telescopic front forks and a monoshock rear, and braking duties are handled by a single disc at the front with a rear drum.
The TNT 15 will go against already established 150cc bikes like the Suzuki Gixxer, Yamaha FZ FI V2.0 and the Honda Unicorn CB 160.
Benelli Nepal’s authorized dealer is KTM Intl’ Trading and has priced the 150cc TNT 15 at an affordable price of NRs. 2,30,000.
Benelli TNT 15 Specifications
| No. of Gears | 5 |
| Displacement | 148 cc |
| Maximum Power | 12.06 bhp@8500 RPM |
| Maximum Torque | 11.0 NM @ 6000 RPM |
| Cooling | Air Cooled |
| Fuel Tank | 16 Litres |
| Transmission | 5 speeds |
| Front brake | Hydraulic management disc |
| Front brake | Disc |
| Top Speed | 110 km/hr |
| Benelli TNT 15 Price in Nepal | NRs. 2,30,000 |
Benelli TNT 150
Benelli TNT 150 is hands-down one of the most well-built bikes in the segment.
The motorcycle is powered by a 148cc engine producing 11.4 HP at 7500 rpm and 10.7 Nm at 6500 rpm. The engine comes mated to a 5-speed gearbox. The power values are least interesting as even 125cc engines of produce more torque than this motor. The bike weighs 144 kg, making it even less effective on paper with the lowest possible power-to-weight ratio in comparison to all 150cc Indian bikes.
The 5-spoke alloy wheels look sporty, and the comfortable riding position makes the bike a daily commuter. The front of the bike is handled by USD Telescopic forks while the rear suspension duties are performed by the Monoshock.
Benelli TNT 150 comes with class-leading features like USD forks, all-digital console and dual disc brakes for maximum braking power. It measures 2080 mm in length and brings 1365 mm of wheelbase for comfortable riding experience. The best part for TNT 150 is all new design and red painted frame.
It carries a 13.5-litre fuel tank. Benelli could use a more powerful, locally developed 150cc engine to make TNT 150 a better option against TVS Apache, Bajaj Pulsar, Yamaha FZ, Honda CB Hornet and Suzuki Gixxer.
Benelli Nepal’s authorized dealer KTM Intl’ Trading has priced the TNT 150 at NRs.3,15,000.
Benelli TNT 150 Specifications
| Displacement | 148 cc |
| Maximum Power | 11.40 HP @ 7500 rpm |
| Maximum Torque | 10.70 NM @ 6500 rpm |
| Number of Cylinders | 1 |
| Number of Gears | 5 |
| Seat Height | 780 mm |
| Ground Clearance | 170 mm |
| Kerb/Wet Weight | 144 kg |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 13.50 litres |
| Top Speed | 120 kmph |
| Benelli TNT 150 Price in Nepal | NRs. 3,15,000 |
Benelli BN 251
The BN 251 pays tribute to the motorcycles customers enjoyed in the past, by offering a lightweight sporty 250 cc naked motorcycle at great value for the emerging markets like India and Nepal. Styled like its big brother TNT 300, it is the perfect entry level motorcycle, delivering excellent fuel economy, agile performance and easy to ride character.
Coming to the engine, the BN 251 is powered by a liquid-cooled four stroke single cylinder engine that produces a maximum power of 25bhp and a maximum torque of 21.5Nm of torque. The engine is incorporated as a stress member in the steel trestle frame, thus adding to the rigidity of the chassis.
The seat height of 795mm and 159kg kerb weight ensure easy handling and manoeuvrability, and its 17L fuel tank capacity means long distances are enjoyed between refuels.
The bike gets 41 mm USD forks for the front and a single swing-arm mount shock absorber at the rear. Braking duties are done by 280 mm disc at the front with four piston caliper and a 240 mm disc at the rear with double piston caliper. The bike comes in white, red and black colour options.
Benelli Nepal’s authorized dealer is KTM Intl’ Trading and has priced the 250cc BN 251 at a price of NRs. 5,20,000.
Benelli BN 251 Specifications
| Displacement | 249 cc |
| Maximum Power | 24.2 BHP @ 9000 rpm |
| Maximum Torque | 21 NM @ 7000 rpm |
| Number of Cylinders | 1 |
| Number of Gears | 6-speed |
| Seat Height | 780 mm |
| Ground Clearance | 130 mm |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 16.5 litres |
| Benelli BN 251 Price in Nepal | NRs. 5,20,000 |
