One of the reasons being its overall charer, which, for a middleweight street-naked, missed that zing we were looking for. But this time around, riding a sport-tourer, we immediately knew that its pretty good. Surprisingly, the same 600cc motor feels more at home propelling a sport-tourer, rather than a street-fighter.\r
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The sport-tourer we are talking about is the Benelli TNT 600 GT, which shares its vital organs with the 600i. And, although they seem quite similar on paper, its a different story out in this crazy world. For starters, the GT isnt as attrive as the 600i, but sports touring body panels that lend it a unique identity. The exclusive projector headlamp, the detachable saddle bags and a considerably larger 27 litre fuel tank bolster the GTs touring credentials.\r
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Whats also special on this Benelli are the spot-on ergonomics – the well-positioned handlebar and seat allow for a relaxed time in the saddle. And, the combination of a supple seat and a pliant suspension setup makes sure you can ride for hours without ending up with a numb backside. Now, all of this is fine. But what makes this GT an admirable touring machine is the mechanical package, which consists of a silky smooth six-speed gearbox, an in-line four, 600cc, liquid-cooled unit with 80.8 horses and 55 Newtons on tap. Thats 3Nm of torque more than the 600i, which weighs 15kg less, and lugs around 12 litres less fuel.\r
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Fine-tuned for long-distance touring, the 600cc motor in the GT is surprisingly trable. Be it going through smaller villages and crowded townships or zipping through open stretches of tarmac, this four-pot engine feels like it was designed to do all of the abovementioned things. Whether lumbering along at 30kph or doing speeds in excess of 185kph, the engine does it all without any signs of stress, all in sixth gear.\r
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If theres an urge to up the pace, simply shift down a couple of cogs, wring the throttle and youll experience a decent rush of power. Thankfully, this exercise isnt erratic, as theres enough juice right from 2500rpm to the redline of close to 11,000rpm, with a typical jolt at around 7000rpm. But heres the catch – the dual disc brakes upfront and the single disc at the rear arent really the best weve seen of late. They lack bite. Plus, the added weight does make itself felt around aof tight corners where, for obvious reasons, the GT doesnt feel as agile as its skimpily-dressed sibling.\r
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But at the end, the TNT 600 GT fares better than the 600i. With its commendable ride quality, and a sound mechanical as well as dynamic package, its a motorcycle that could easily conquer the twisty back roads nearly as well as a sportsbike, and yet make open-road travel as enjoyable and comfortable as a full-blown tourer. DSK has priced the GT at ₹5.62 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). It seems that the Kawasaki Ninja 650 has a serious battle on its hands, and wed love to pit them head-on pretty soon.\r
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The numbers\r
4cyl, in-line, 600cc, 80.8bhp, 55Nm, 6M, fuel tank: 27 litres, 223kg, 19kpl, ₹5.62 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi)\r
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The verdict\r
A capable sport-tourer with sorted ergonomics and sound mechanicals\r
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