Benelli TNT300s

[ktm jeff]

Ed , your correct , sorry , i should have worded that better . The quality of MANY Honda dealers ( and some other dealers ) is appaling . If you have found a good one , keep them "on-side" at all costs . Good mechanics are few and far between , and not just in Thailand . I think the fact that the Honda standards were good a few years ago , and now , in many , are so low , makes the drop more noticeable . When a good garage / mechanic gets recomended , people should take note . Its the same with the 250 / 300 engined bikes ( CB / CBR / CRF ) , some have lasted 40K , but some have blown up in just 1,000 KM . Too many variables .

[thaiguzzi]

Sachs shock and Marzocchi forks are <deleted> anyways (speaking from experience with the same components on my Diavel.

Diavel and Benelli 600 use same components?

?

Not the same parts (shocks and forks) obviously but from the same manufacturers and they're <deleted>!

I can't say that having Sachs shock and Marzocchi forks is a bonus and that it increase the bike's value, quite the opposite. The cheap stock ninja 300 suspension performs way better and not even adjustable (other than shock preload).

Disagree.

# Never ridden a Diavel, not my cup of tea.

# Both Sachs and especially Marzocchi are world famous brands with a rich heritage and history. They do NOT make crap products. They make a product up to a design quality, or down to a price that the manufacturer (in this case Ducati) specifies.

# Funny, in road tests i've read of the above Diavel, by world class and famous knowledgable journalists, i never read "great bike, crap suspension". Strange that.

# Perhaps you need to read your owners manual, and set the bike up to your weight and how you like it, and if unable to, take it to a suspension specialist who can.

[maykilceksin]

Sachs shock and Marzocchi forks are <deleted> anyways (speaking from experience with the same components on my Diavel.

Diavel and Benelli 600 use same components?

?

Not the same parts (shocks and forks) obviously but from the same manufacturers and they're <deleted>!

I can't say that having Sachs shock and Marzocchi forks is a bonus and that it increase the bike's value, quite the opposite. The cheap stock ninja 300 suspension performs way better and not even adjustable (other than shock preload).

Disagree.

# Never ridden a Diavel, not my cup of tea.

# Both Sachs and especially Marzocchi are world famous brands with a rich heritage and history. They do NOT make crap products. They make a product up to a design quality, or down to a price that the manufacturer (in this case Ducati) specifies.

# Funny, in road tests i've read of the above Diavel, by world class and famous knowledgable journalists, i never read "great bike, crap suspension". Strange that.

# Perhaps you need to read your owners manual, and set the bike up to your weight and how you like it, and if unable to, take it to a suspension specialist who can.

marzocchi WAS a famous suspension brand but not anymore.

http://motorbikewriter.com/marzocchi-suspension-set-to-close/

[Shurup]

Sachs shock and Marzocchi forks are <deleted> anyways (speaking from experience with the same components on my Diavel.

Diavel and Benelli 600 use same components?

?

Not the same parts (shocks and forks) obviously but from the same manufacturers and they're <deleted>!

I can't say that having Sachs shock and Marzocchi forks is a bonus and that it increase the bike's value, quite the opposite. The cheap stock ninja 300 suspension performs way better and not even adjustable (other than shock preload).

Disagree.

# Never ridden a Diavel, not my cup of tea.

# Both Sachs and especially Marzocchi are world famous brands with a rich heritage and history. They do NOT make crap products. They make a product up to a design quality, or down to a price that the manufacturer (in this case Ducati) specifies.

# Funny, in road tests i've read of the above Diavel, by world class and famous knowledgable journalists, i never read "great bike, crap suspension". Strange that.

# Perhaps you need to read your owners manual, and set the bike up to your weight and how you like it, and if unable to, take it to a suspension specialist who can.

Man I don't know whether they are (or were) world famous, but I'm telling you they are garbage on Diavel. Can't really say the same about their products on other bikes but that is what I suspect. From the time when Diavel was 1st introduced back in 2011 and up to now 2nd Diavel generation, suspension didn't change and this is one big and often single complain from the Diavel owners.

Don't trust what "journalists" and other reviewers say as often they get paid to write pretty reviews to promote the product and boost the sales. If you want a truthful reviews, go to diavel - forum dot com and read what other owners say about it as well as what professional suspension tuning shops tell about the internals of these parts.

No amount of reading manual and adjusting can make this junk perform above average. I've tuned it to a more or less satisfactory performance but I'm telling you the stock suspension on my Ninja 300 still performs a lot better.

[Shurup]

P.s. I have changed the rear shock spring to a heavier one, more suitable for my weight, adjusted the sag properly as well as compression and rebound. The settings that work the best for me are nowhere near what manual says. Maybe when you ride this bike on a perfect road then it works as it should but in real life the roads aren't perfect and that includes the US, Canadian, Ausie, UK many Euro countries and of course Thailand. There are many Diavel owners all over the world and all say the same thing about the suspension.

[wantan]

Wow, if people start comparing the chinese made Benelli bikes with Ducati ... cant be that bad.

[taninthai]

Love the way these threads always end up being about other bike brands says a lot for the bennelli obviously nothing worth talking about.

[wantan]

These threads always make the chinese bike haters return to TV. Seems they are bored to death talking about Honda in other forums. Even the ghost of Michael Jackson found his way to us

All say its a bit heavy and lacks ABS. But other than that nothing bad so far.

http://www.cycleworld.com/2015/04/15/2015-benelli-bn-302-motorcycle-review-first-ride-photos-specifications/

I had to recheck the dimensional numbers of the BN302 because in real life the bike feels very light and compact, like a 300cc should.

Sounds like a solid bike. Nothing to win races, but build to last long time.

[casualbiker]

P.s. I have changed the rear shock spring to a heavier one, more suitable for my weight, adjusted the sag properly as well as compression and rebound. The settings that work the best for me are nowhere near what manual says. Maybe when you ride this bike on a perfect road then it works as it should but in real life the roads aren't perfect and that includes the US, Canadian, Ausie, UK many Euro countries and of course Thailand. There are many Diavel owners all over the world and all say the same thing about the suspension.

Maybe the actual suspension is fine.. Just the engineering and design that's gone into the machine. Possibly the stylist won over the suspension engineer (if such a person existed for this bike)

[Shurup]

Wow, if people start comparing the chinese made Benelli bikes with Ducati ... cant be that bad.

No one is comparing it to ducati, I only made a comment about the suspension manufacturers and said that these components shouldn't be considered as a bonus on this Benelli bike, that's all.

[Shurup]

P.s. I have changed the rear shock spring to a heavier one, more suitable for my weight, adjusted the sag properly as well as compression and rebound. The settings that work the best for me are nowhere near what manual says. Maybe when you ride this bike on a perfect road then it works as it should but in real life the roads aren't perfect and that includes the US, Canadian, Ausie, UK many Euro countries and of course Thailand. There are many Diavel owners all over the world and all say the same thing about the suspension.

Maybe the actual suspension is fine.. Just the engineering and design that's gone into the machine. Possibly the stylist won over the suspension engineer (if such a person existed for this bike)

It could be that these suspension parts are only bad on the Diavel and are fine on other models and makes but the suspension problems haven't been addressed in over 5 years the Diavel been in production. It's hardly possible that the problems are not known to Ducati or suspension manufacturers, the most likely scenario is that Ducati or Sachs and Marzocchi do not care.

Most owners end up upgrading the internal components (valves, lighter oil, springs, etc...) or replacing the internal shock cartridges or changing forks and shock altogether. Full Ohlins setup for this bike is $5000 US. A little off topic but something to think about.

[AllanB]

Been following this thread for a while now, waiting for someone who regrets buying one, so far nothing at that has to be good. Pretty sure I would be bored by now on a CB300, even if it hadn't fallen apart.

The longer this goes the better the Benelli sounds.

[Nickymaster]

Sachs shock and Marzocchi forks are <deleted> anyways (speaking from experience with the same components on my Diavel.

Diavel and Benelli 600 use same components?

?

Not the same parts (shocks and forks) obviously but from the same manufacturers and they're <deleted>!

I can't say that having Sachs shock and Marzocchi forks is a bonus and that it increase the bike's value, quite the opposite. The cheap stock ninja 300 suspension performs way better and not even adjustable (other than shock preload).

Multistrada owners are very pleased with their Marzocchi and Sachs suspension. the suspension of a Diavel is just not suitable for Thai roads. Surely there are different specs for different models.

[Nickymaster]

Been following this thread for a while now, waiting for someone who regrets buying one, so far nothing at that has to be good. Pretty sure I would be bored by now on a CB300, even if it hadn't fallen apart.

The longer this goes the better the Benelli sounds.

Correct me if I'm wrong but there is a lot of talking going on here about how good this bike is but I can only find 1 person in this thread that has bought one.

[wantan]

^

Maybe Allan will be the first happy Benelli 302 owner at TV. Maybe not. Where is the problem? We already have some happy Lifan owners. Unbelieveable, isn't it?

And we already had some links to good reports for the Benelli. Can you point us to something bad? Please tell it, here at TV we are not hiding facts. We are open minded, no bike racists here

[wantan]

^

Sorry, i should have put on my reading glasses. Of course there already is a happy owner as Nickymaster correctly stated two posts above.

[maykilceksin]

^

Sorry, i should have put on my reading glasses. Of course there already is a happy owner as Nickymaster correctly stated two posts above.

and what about you?

do you ride a Benelli?

if you dont, any plans on buying one?

at least that guy has some balls to get a Benelli but you, you just talk while possibly riding your reliable long life japanese bike with comfort and probably deep inside you, you dont trust this bike.

you are just talking and misleading people. you have no idea about this bike or possibly bikes.

[thaiguzzi]

marzocchi WAS a famous suspension brand but not anymore.

http://motorbikewriter.com/marzocchi-suspension-set-to-close/

Just read that, then googled Marzocchi, and ended up reading a bunch of stuff. Typical big buy out by huge corporation worth $5.8 Bil buying small family firm, and not backing it up with consistent financial input for R&D etc. I would'nt go as far to say asset strippers, but... Very sad. They are still going, only just, but i think someone, somewhere will have to buy them. Fingers crossed.

[thaiguzzi]

Man I don't know whether they are (or were) world famous, but I'm telling you they are garbage on Diavel. Can't really say the same about their products on other bikes but that is what I suspect. From the time when Diavel was 1st introduced back in 2011 and up to now 2nd Diavel generation, suspension didn't change and this is one big and often single complain from the Diavel owners.
Don't trust what "journalists" and other reviewers say as often they get paid to write pretty reviews to promote the product and boost the sales. If you want a truthful reviews, go to diavel - forum dot com and read what other owners say about it as well as what professional suspension tuning shops tell about the internals of these parts.
No amount of reading manual and adjusting can make this junk perform above average. I've tuned it to a more or less satisfactory performance but I'm telling you the stock suspension on my Ninja 300 still performs a lot better.

# They were/are famous. Back in the late 70's/80's/90's there was no better front suspension made. Then Showa upped their game, then Ohlins ($$££) came on the scene.

# Kevin Ash (RIP) was not a bought journalist and he raved about the bike.

# I am not doubting you and your experiences with suspension problems, i am neither familiar nor knowledgable on the Diavel product.

# It sounds to me that the problem lies with Ducati specifying what they want from the suspension suppliers (cheap). Maybe there is a $5k more expensive model with Ohlins et al, i don't know, and don't really care.

# It has got to be one BAD set of Horrendous suspension fully adjustable components, if a low end common mass produced learner bike (Kawa 300) with no adjustment options is a better fork. Jeez, that is BAD...

# On topic, Benelli 300, not my cup of tea at all (nor any of the above competiton), but i appreciate the engineering levels and look, finish of where the Chinese are going. And it will only get better.

[wantan]

^

Sorry, i should have put on my reading glasses. Of course there already is a happy owner as Nickymaster correctly stated two posts above.

and what about you?

do you ride a Benelli?

if you dont, any plans on buying one?

at least that guy has some balls to get a Benelli but you, you just talk while possibly riding your reliable long life japanese bike with comfort and probably deep inside you, you dont trust this bike.

you are just talking and misleading people. you have no idea about this bike or possibly bikes.

Whatever, wish i had a bike. Maykil, you really own one? Respect. I am still saving for my first Benelli. Hope they start selling scooters in Thailand

[andrewrooney]

Been following this thread for a while now, waiting for someone who regrets buying one, so far nothing at that has to be good. Pretty sure I would be bored by now on a CB300, even if it hadn't fallen apart.

The longer this goes the better the Benelli sounds.

Correct me if I'm wrong but there is a lot of talking going on here about how good this bike is but I can only find 1 person in this thread that has bought one.

Exactly. How can anybody regret buying a Benelli if nobody ever bought one in the first place?

This thread is full of tire-kickers talking about how amazing the Benelli looks and how awful and boring Honda is, but at the end of the day people that actually, you know, buy bikes and ride them overwhelmingly go for established brands like Honda, Kawa, Yamaha, or Ducati.

Funny, that.

But Allan, if you want to buy one to have something different and unique by all means buy it. That way everyone could finally hear some reliable first-hand experiences about this bike.

[wantan]

>This thread is full of tire-kickers...

Yep, and more and more trolls coming to join them. Tire kickers and trolls. Same as it ever was

[ktm jeff]

As the Benelli 300 TNT has only recently been released , there havent been too many long term reports on them , yet . GARYZX6R is putting the Kilometers on his , and posted of his 1,000 KM service earlier . So at least he has surpassed the 1,000 KM benchmark set by Honda , for blowing up . Lets hope other owners arent put off from posting . I admire many bikes , but i dont buy then all , this doesnt make me a tire kicker . The Kawasaki and Yamaha may be better bikes in many ways , for some , but that comes at a price ( financial ). Many people are still following the heard , and buying Honda . If they have done their research , and still wish to take a chance with the quality issues , and are happy with a much more basic bike ( in looks , components , performance and value ) , then thats up to them . Maybe thats all they really want , and need , a basic runaround bike . Its just such a shame theres the quality issues . Has the Benelli had any quality issues - no , but its early days , so lets run some for longer . Do i believe , based on past experience , thay will prove less reliable than the Hondas - no . Lets give a welcome new manufacturer a chance - yes .

[properperson]

As the Benelli 300 TNT has only recently been released , there havent been too many long term reports on them , yet . GARYZX6R is putting the Kilometers on his , and posted of his 1,000 KM service earlier . So at least he has surpassed the 1,000 KM benchmark set by Honda , for blowing up . Lets hope other owners arent put off from posting . I admire many bikes , but i dont buy then all , this doesnt make me a tire kicker . The Kawasaki and Yamaha may be better bikes in many ways , for some , but that comes at a price ( financial ). Many people are still following the heard , and buying Honda . If they have done their research , and still wish to take a chance with the quality issues , and are happy with a much more basic bike ( in looks , components , performance and value ) , then thats up to them . Maybe thats all they really want , and need , a basic runaround bike . Its just such a shame theres the quality issues . Has the Benelli had any quality issues - no , but its early days , so lets run some for longer . Do i believe , based on past experience , thay will prove less reliable than the Hondas - no . Lets give a welcome new manufacturer a chance - yes .

As the Indian market has had the 300 for a few months, can i suggest going onto you tube and putting in "Benelli TNT 300 review"...

There dozens of roads tests on there, with all pretty positive comments....

[ktm jeff]

Thankyou , properperson , i have looked at a few reviews , and they all were very positive . Heres to more , and better , choice .

[metisdead]

An inflammatory post has been removed.

[ktm jeff]

Tan , you seem angry . If my bike blew up at 1,000 KM ( or any KM really ) , i certainly would care , reguardless of any warranty . Whats to prevent it happening again . How would i feel about the bike . I couldnt feel relaxed and happy with that standard of bike . What if / when i wanted to sell it , ( Or claim on the insurance when the relay overheats / catches fire ) . Maybe thats just me . Other than a full race bike , i expect longer life - and we are not talking about that with a 26 BHP Honda , or a 37 BHP Benelli , are we ? . Even my 450 enduro requires less frequent rebuilds . The reported "Honda problems" , as i , and others , keep informing you , are in many Honda posts , ( i dont visit many ) , but we rarely get to hear of the final outcome , as Honda often repairs the bikes on the quiet , and the poor owner isnt encouraged to post his sorrow / anger . I cant recall the 15.000KM engine blow up post , but it was very recent . Maybe someone can help you .

[andrewrooney]

Disagree with you, Jeff, about Honda's alleged quality issues once again. I'm coming from the perspective of a happy CBR300 owner with 16,000 on the clock and not a single problem with quality or service. Most other Honda owners I knwo feel the same way. Yes there will always be one or two defects but out of the large number sold that has to be expected. However I do agree that more choice is always good. Some people seem to like the look of this Benelli, and who knows, maybe some people will buy them and be happy with them. Time will tell.

[andrewrooney]

>This thread is full of tire-kickers...

Yep, and more and more trolls coming to join them. Tire kickers and trolls. Same as it ever was

I'm certainly not trolling, unless you take the extremely loose definition of a troll being "anyone I disagree with."

Sorry if you take offense at my "tire-kicker" comment, but it wasn't directed at you specifically, and you have to admit it's kind of odd to see a thread for a bike go for 10 pages and only one person was willing to take a chance and buy one.

[ktm jeff]

Andrew , yes , more choice is good , but it should be based on all available information .Read my post , page 9 i think , where i openly say "there have been Hondas ( 250 ) that have covered 40K and still OK" . I dont doubht you havent had your engine blow up . It sounds as if you would buy another Honda in the future , if so , good luck to you . The next one may well also be good . Or would you not take the chance ? . Too many have . Too early to say if the 300,s are also afflicted . Tan , if i may politley reply to a post that has already been removed , after 30 seconds looking , i found the latest engine blowup story - that does not exist , of course - on the CB 300 page . Poor guy , black panda , had the engine blow , photos of hundreds of metal swarf shavings throughout the engine . Honda wants , or has , just replaced a few internal components . This is a pointless jesture , as the swarf has been playing havoc with EVERYTHING inside that engine , including the knowingly weak cam shaft / cam chain / valve area . The oil feeds could be blocked , valve clearances will be all over the place if the cam surfaces are scoured . Not to mention the damage done to the gearbox . This engine "warrantied" a COMPLETE replacement . Now the owner is worried about riding the bike . Waiting for the nexy blow up . Thata not what owning a bie is all about . Unless it is , and im wrong .