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A Benelli Tornado Tre 900 LE ‘Novecento’ number 064/150 with only 128 miles.

MODEL HISTORY
The Benelli Tornado Tre is a Series of sports bikes produced from 2002 to 2014 by Benelli of Pesaro, Italy. The motorcycle resurrected the brand after a prior merge with Moto Guzzi in 1988, to create Guzzi Benelli Moto S.p.A., where Benelli production stopped and the production plants in Pesaro were sold. In 1995 under new acquisition of the Benelli rights, owner Andrea Merloni noted the success of the revival of Triumph Motorcycles Ltd, and so briefed a design team to build a motorcycle around a distinctive triple-cylinder engine. The Benelli Tornado Tre was devised with the engine purposely sited quite far forward in order help keep the front wheel planted under acceleration. This left little room for the radiator which had to be sited under the seat creating a high ‘hands down/bum-up’ riding position which was actually colloquially Italian. This design however restricted air-flow to the radiator which was overcome by siting twin yellow cooling fans under the seat, a distinguished design that became instantly recognisable as a Benelli from the rearward view. The launch Tornado Tre, the “Biposto”, was quickly followed by 150 units of the Tornado ‘Novocento’ 900 LE built to homologate a suitable base model for the Superbike World Championship and as such is a very collectable special bike.

EQUIPMENT
Chrome-molybdenum steel and aluminium frame, adjustable steering head, Öhlins adjustable front suspension, cast and pressed aluminium Swingarm rear suspension with Öhlins adjustable monoshock, gold Brembo 4 pot front and 2 pot rear brake callipers with double front and single rear discs, SAGEM electronic Ignition System, cast magnesium engine components, carbon fibre farings and fuel tank, Marchesini designed wheels in forged in aluminium alloy, titanium arrow exhaust, liquid cooling with additional twin yellow electric cooling fans, Benelli by Extremetech steering damper, Tornado Tre Novecento Limited Edition numbered plate, yellow instrument faces with 14,000rpm rev-counter, digital display, remote immobiliser, upgrade sprocket set, upgrade titanium exhaust. Dealer options; Meta System M357-V2 alarm system, Optimate battery conditioner, Double Bubble screen. Dealer accessories; Axle stand, die-cast replica model in presentation case.

EXTERIOR
A limited production of just 150 bikes in the distinctive green and silver livery, the only colour scheme available, makes the Benelli Tornado Tre 900 LE ‘Novecento’ exceptionally rare and this example, number 064/150, has covered just 128 miles from new! The bike is as close to factory perfection as you are likely to see with only two minor marks to the rear seat hump. A collector seeking untouched excellence will delight at every pristine component, decal and beautifully machined alloy parts. All factory labels and identification markers are fully intact and correct, including the machined alloy numbered plate siting number 064/150. All controls and displays function and even hidden crevices are clean proving the pampered existence this sports bike legend has led.

ENGINE & TRANSMISSION
Powered by a liquid cooled transverse three-cylinder 898cc engine with double overhead cam, four valves per cylinder, SAGEM electronic Ignition System and weighing just 198kg, power output is quoted at 140hp at 11,500rpm and 100Nm of torque at 8,500rpm. The bike has a claimed top speed of 169mph and 0-62mph in just 3.0 seconds! Each bike came with an upgrade sprocket set and upgrade titanium exhaust that could be fitted and interchangeable to the bike depending on the characteristics of the track the bike was being taken to. The race-inspired cassette-type six-speed gearbox utilises every ounce of power and operates perfectly.

WHEELS, TYRES & BRAKES
Stunning original Marchesini designed wheels in forged in aluminium alloy are in outstanding condition and shod in the factory fitted Dunlop SportMax Race Replica tyres correctly date stamped, an important requirement for the fastidious collector. Gold Brembo 4 pot front and 2 pot rear brake callipers with double front and single rear discs are pristine and perform and present as you would expect from a machine that has covered just 128 miles.

HISTORY FILE
The machined alloy numbered plate affixed to the upper tubular frame confirms this example as number 064/150. The supplying dealer, Three Cross Motorcycles in Dorset, registered the bike new on the 7th September 2004 and their original branded number plate remains fitted to the bike. The new vehicle order form and sales invoice is to made out to first owner and collector, Mr James, who paid £12,000 for the bike. There has been just one further collector owner and have both have recognised the huge importance of resisting the urge to ride the bike in order to preserve the ultra-low 128 miles. The history file consists of the Use and Maintenance Manual as well as the original Service and Warranty Booklet evidencing five services and a further recommission in September 2021 by specialist firm BSD Performance in Cambridgeshire. Supporting service invoices have been kept as have the previous MOT certificates and there are two flip keys and two further spare sets of keys with code tags, fobs and original sheaths to the spare blades. The Benelli hard case contains the upgrade sprocket set and the titanium exhaust system is still in the original box. Bike number 064/150 is surely one of the best surviving and the jewel in the best of collections.

HPI Clear.