- Uses a 554cc, parallel-twin engine
- Competes against Kawasaki Ninja 500
- Likely to be launched in 2025
Benelli recently unveiled the new Tornado 550. The motorcycle marks the brand’s entry into the 500cc segment, competing against the Kawasaki Ninja 500 and the Honda CBR500R.
The motorcycle’s styling is in tune with Benelli’s recent design language and features a radical front end. While it might remind some of the KTM 1390 range, the styling looks even more reminiscent of the Suzuki GSX-8R. It gets a chunky yet chiselled fairing, small side panels, and an upswept short tail end. Benelli is offering the Tornado 550 in three colour options: Midnight Black, Tech Silver, and Gres White.
Underneath, the Benelli Tornado 550 uses a tubular steel frame that houses a 554cc, parallel-twin engine. This Euro5+ compliant mill is paired with a six-speed gearbox and churns out 56bhp at 8250rpm and 53.9Nm at 5400rpm.
Its suspension is high-end and lists 41mm, fully adjustable Marzocchi forks and a rebound and preload adjustable monoshock at the rear. That said, Benelli is offering a low, 790mm seat height for the Tornado 550 as standard to attract newer riders as well. As for features, the motorcycle comes with a five-inch TFT display that allows for smartphone connectivity. This gives access to navigation, music and call control.
Benelli will introduce the motorcycle to international dealers from 2025 and is likely to bring in the Tornado 660 to New Zealand around the same time.
