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 Benelli - 650 Nuova Tornado S 2
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Benelli Nuova Tornado S 2 motocyclette motorrad motorcycle vintage classic classique scooter roller moto scooter
Photo ou archives : F-M. Dumas
610

Capacity : 650
Model : Nuova Tornado S 2
Production : 1973 - 1975
Category : (R) Street Bike

BENELLI

650 Nuova Tornado S2 - 1973

Storm warning!

By the dawning of 1969, the Italian motorcycle business was filled with a joyous optimism – the Argentine industrialist Alejandro de Tomaso had bought up the famous Moto Guzzi and Benelli marques, which were destined to define Italian cycling through the Seventies.

Meeting the Challenge

Perhaps too much has been made of the impact of the so-called "Japanese invasion" in motorcycling that took place in the late Sixties. However, the Japanese showed themselves to be adept at competing with the once-supreme British and European makers, and they even gave the big American bikes such a run for their money that the legendary Harley-Davidson fell into near bankruptcy by the end of the Eighties. On the upside, the Italians jumped at the challenge and transformed Guzzi and Benelli into such sought-after names that the bikes, by the Nineties, had acquired a degree of chic well beyond what could be obtained from a Honda or a Yamaha.

There's a Storm Blowing

Benelli's Tornado, introduced in 1969, was just such a bike, a clear answer to Japanese imports and a machine that recalled the classic British vertical cycle. Not as immediately successful as some of its Italian and Japanese counterparts, the Tornado was modified for a later S2 version, which settled some of the braking problems that riders of the first Tornados had experienced. The styling was updated, as well, to give the bike a sportier look.

SPECIFICATIONS

Engine: air-cooled 643cc (84x58mm) two-cylinder four-stroke

Power Rating: 52 hp @7200 rpm

Fuel System: dual Dell'Orto carburewrs

Transmission: 5-speed, chain drive

Suspension: telescoping (front); oscillating (rear)

Brakes: drum

Wheels: 18-in tires

Weight: 462 lb

Maximum Speed: 118 mph

Something of a latecomer, the Benelli Tornado 4-cylinder was engineered progressively over several years to bring it into pace with the times.




Le fichier Moto Passion réalisé par François-Marie Dumas réunit près de deux mille photos accompagnées d'un historique très complet des machines présentées.
Il sera progressivement mis à jour ici et toute information complémentaire est la bienvenue sur info@moto-collection.org.

Cette documentation unique, qui constitue sans doute l'encyclopédie la plus exhaustive jamais écrite sur l'histoire de la moto, a été réalisée avec l'assistance de nombreux spécialistes dont principalement Didier Ganneau, Christophe Gaime, Mick Woollett, Jean Goyard, Bernard Salvat, Christian Rey, Yves Campion, Helmut Krackowizer, Michael Dregni, Michel Montange, etc. que je remercie ici.

Disponible sur demande :
- Les fiches originales sur papier
- Les photos et archives signées de mon nom en haute définition ou les documents originaux.
Me contacter sur info@moto-collection.org pour les conditions et droits d'utilisation.