There’s a reason why Goa, the party capital of India, also happens to be one of the best places to be on two wheels. Firstly, the atmosphere there is fantastic all year round, and, despite being India’s smallest state, it has some of the most astounding roads you can find in the country. Be it twisty mountain roads, sparsely-populated narrow bylanes, streets overlooking the magical coastline to wide-open highways – name it, and it’s there. Even crowded streets, but you don’t want to go there, do you?
For a riding nirvana like this, all you need is a motorcycle that’s decently quick, supremely comfortable for those morning-to-evening escapades, and is agile enough to make it through some of Goa’s narrow, twisting lanes. Luckily, we found a motorcycle that was all those things, and then some. Called the TNT 300, it’s the youngest star in the Benelli brigade, and will has a lot riding on its shoulders. Almost instantly, to our surprise, the Italian beauty struck the right chord with its exhaust note.
It’s unlike any other 300cc we’ve heard before - it sounds delicious. In fact, the stubby exhaust has no business sounding the way it does. The little Benelli sounds better than some bigger-capacity motorcycles. You hear a meaty growl the moment this in-line twin comes to life, and the melody only gets sweeter and louder as you pile up the revs. And pile up the revs you will, because the briskness with which the scenery goes blurry doesn’t really match the increase in decibels, compelling you to constantly keep the motor ticking over 7000rpm. It’s only after this 7k that the 300 comes to life, pulling swiftly to its redline at 11,000rpm.
The 300cc liquid-cooled motor makes a decent 36.2bhp, and gets 27Nm of pulling power with a slick six-speeder sending all the power to the rear wheel. And, like the engines on other Benellis we’ve tested before, this one, too, doesn’t fall short in terms of smoothness and refinement. It’s a super-tractable motor, and pulls cleanly (if not strongly) from low speed in high gears. But, to get the most out of this 300cc motor, you’ll need to give it the beans quite often. Till then, the not-so-strong bottom-end will facilitate pottering around town, with part-throttle inputs carrying out the drill decently.
However, never does the 300 fail to keep things interesting at city speeds. The spot-on riding position and a comfortable time in the saddle (made more so by the adjustable mono-shock at the rear) make for a satisfying riding experience. This is further accentuated by the capable chassis that underpins the bike. On the move, you don’t really feel it’s a 180kg+ steed that you're on. It’s that nimble. There weren't any kind of road conditions that the 300 couldn’t cope with in Goa. The TNT attacked corners with enthusiasm, and grip from the beefy Pirelli tyres helps infuse a level of confidence required when you're pushing things. Not just that: high-speed manners are decent, too, indicating a well-sorted mechanical package overall.
Talking of packaging, the TNT 300, with its bright-red trellis frame, well-proportioned body panels, sharp and edgy styling and an aggressive stance makes it a quite distinctive, if not a very attractive motorcycle, to look at. Plus, for a bike that will be positioned as the cheapest Benelli, the 300 doesn’t compromise on the quality front, and that’s a good thing. Sure, the Kawasaki Z250 looks sportier and more aggressive than the Benelli, and may just about manage to outdo the Italian when it comes to outright performance. But, that doesn’t mean the TNT is a slouch.
Like the Z250 and its other rival, the KTM Duke 390, the TNT 300 isn’t all about going bonkers from the word go. It isn’t the quickest-accelerating entry-level premium motorcycle one can buy (0-60kph in under four seconds, 0-100kph in under nine), or the fastest (150+kph top speed). And, if numbers are what float your boat, look elsewhere. The Benelli’s 300cc parallel-twin sure does like it when it is pushed past the 7000rpm barrier, and rewards you with a rush of adrenaline every time you wring the throttle. But, like the TNT 600i and the 899, this one too doesn't come close to being labelled a wild animal.
We believe it’s a trait that runs in the family, and we aren’t really complaining. It makes the TNT 300 a practical-ish motorcycle you shouldn’t really be ignoring if you are taking that leap into the world of premium motorcycles, for it comes with a pretty strong mechanical package, offers a comfortable ride, has good levels of craftsmanship, and sounds downright phenomenal.
But, is there cause for worry when it’s the exhaust note and not the performance that is the TNT 300's biggest talking point? Not really. With the 300, it isn’t about being the first one to reach the destination, but it’s more about the getting to the destination. Gladly, the Benelli makes sure the journey is stress-free and enjoyable. Quality, comfort, sound dynamics and aural pleasure – if these are parameters you consider when snapping up a sub-quarter-litre motorcycle, the Benelli TNT 300 is definitely worth your precious time and money. Talking of which, DSK-Benelli has priced it at ₹2.83 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi), a price at which this Italian beauty is a worthy addition to any garage.
The numbers
2cyl, 300cc, in-line, liquid-cooled, 36.2bhp, 27Nm, 6M, 185kg, fuel tank: 16 litres, ₹2.83 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi)
