New Benelli TnT 899 cafe Racer Lands

First unveiled at the 2009 EICMA show in Milan, the new 899 Cafe Racer from Benelli is now making its debut on the British market. The new 899cc model has cafe racer looks and an in-line three-cylinder motor, just like its bigger sibling, the TnT 1130 Cafe Racer.

The 899 engine has a power output of 120bhp, a new cylinderhead, pistons, cams and new ignition mapping for smoother power delivery and better low speed throttle control. Other components include gold Marzocchi front forks, 320mm Brembo front brake discs.

Since the 899 Cafe is a carbon-copy of the 1130 Cafe Racer’s look, the 899 CR will share another trait with its 1130cc counter-part: you’ll either love the design or hate it. We happen to prefer the standard lines of the TnT, but still think the Cafe Racer series brings a variation to the Benelli form that will appeal to riders looking to stand out from their Ducati riding friends. Pricing has yet to be determined, but expect something north of $13,000.

When designing the 899 Cafe Racer, Benelli thought of reducing the amount of components and costs. The design of the windshield is simple, as is the instrument panel which is housed in a cheaper plastic panel. It is mounted on a steel subframe instead of one made of aluminum. The handlebars on the 899 are also made of steel rather than aluminum.