1972 Benelli Tornado 650

Clean and essential lines, a rough and powerful twin-cylinder:

AN ITALIAN STALLION

WITH A STRONG AND SPORTY CHARACTER.

The Tornado was launched in 1970 on the American market. Its lines were still in pure sixties style.

The frame, precise and stable, lives up to the Italian tradition and the generous and elastic twin-cylinder engine makes the bike easy and funny between the curves.

The vibrations are noticeably felt but if you keep a touristic pace they remain acceptable. Indeed, they are a typical feature of the twin-cylinders of the time and today they make riding even more exciting.

The gearbox is 5-speed with control on the right, as on all Italian and English models of the period.

The first is up and during the first kilometers of riding you need a certain concentration; the habit of shifting to the left of today's bikes will cause us some hesitation ...

The clutch lever on the handlebar requires a certain force to be operated.

The large front drum brake makes braking more than acceptable, even if it is not very modulable; the rear drum is very effective.

However, the two-cylinder engine brake will make the use of brakes marginal.

The Tornado is the ideal choice for the motorcyclist with some experience and physical prowess.

The great rider Renzo Pasolini and the famous actor Steve McQueen were two of the tester of this legendary Benelli Tornado 650.

YEAR: 1971
CAPACITY: 643 cc
GEAR BOX: 5 SPEED
GEAR LEVER on the RIGHT
FIRST UP
KICK STARTER
SEAT HEIGHT: 790 mm / 31.1 in
WEIGHT: 185 kg / 408 lbs
FRONT BRAKES: DRUM
REAR BRAKES: DRUM
SEAT: COUPLE