Road test of Benelli1130 TRE-K 2006 Benelli goes trekking?

on the hills of Belvedere (Italy - Adriatic coast), a pack of Trek 1130s ply the winding roads at a gentle pace. A kind of break after the hectic 10 minutes needed to get out of town. I take the opportunity to take stock of this surprising bike.

like so many others on this "Io amo Benelli" day, I get a close-up look at the manufacturer's new bike. Less intimidating than the TnT, exuding an elegance that's a little wild and voracious, the Tre-K is a beautiful machine that's a pleasure to observe from both near and far. The finely crafted fuel tank is a real eye-catcher, as are the tubular frame and swingarm. Let's take it for a spin!
810 mm - that's the saddle height given on the data sheet. Yet the seat seems higher. No big deal, though, and we set off with 5 Tre-Ks to explore the Misano Adriatico area. The 205 kg dry weight is quickly forgotten, to make way for a maneuverable, playful machine. A few cables later, I'm wondering whether I'm going to bring the Benelli back in several pieces. 2 reasons for this:

- The assembly of certain parts of the bike must have been entrusted to guys with nerve problems. The fuel tank seems to be glued to a large mass of rubber, the side plastics like the bubble vibrate in all directions (you wonder at every acceleration if they're not going to take the powder!it's all very well, but it doesn't look very serious on a machine costing over 12,000 euros. Ah, Italian haute couture and its subtleties.

- Another reason: the engine. I've never seen anything like it on a trail bike, even a sport bike. Not only is the 3-cylinder filled to the brim, even at low revs, but above all, it's impressively spirited. What power! And what character! Nervous as can be, you almost have to watch out at every throttle so as not to fly off the road; especially in this country, where everyone adapts the rules of the road to their own personal taste. Even when toned down compared to the TnT, the 3-cylinder engine combines powerful power with lively handling, carried away by a sound that takes you by storm. While the boiler lifts your heart, the engine expresses itself with rage. It growls, it's lively, it's snarling, it grabs you by the guts... it's a treat! However, it's best to temper the Tre-K's ardor with the original tires. The Dunlop D270s, with their mixed road/track profile and tread pattern, are likely to give you a few twists and turns in the Italian bends. At the halfway point, some slight rear slippage tempered my enthusiasm. You want to enjoy yourself? Get rid of the original tires and put on a good sport tire. The beast's 125 horsepower will be all the more fun to use. As on the TnT Sport, the dashboard features a small knob allowing you to choose between 2 injection mappings: big potato or very big potato. I noticed a slight difference between the 2 modes, but nothing to speak of. Besides, it doesn't really matter; the engine is already giving you a hard time.

The injection system still needs a bit of work. We experienced a few jerks when throttling back. Not really painful, but sometimes annoying.

a few stops here and there allowed me to appreciate the subtlety of the practical side of the Italians. Finding neutral is a case of intense stress. You need a very fine feel for your feet... and patience with the clutch. Grabbing the side stand can lead to a divorce with the left foot. The potty under the seat is classy and aggressive, but if you want to put something in the seat, forget it. As for the mirrors, they're a real gag. Ah, those triangle bits are pretty, but you can't see much inside them.

after a few photos, we head back like bombs to the Santa Monica circuit, where the 1130 Tornado is waiting for me. We open properly, and the Tre-K is just begging to be driven. Even in the city, where it's best to be reasonable, the boiler's impatient and belches as soon as the right hand is shaken. When calm is called for, the machine bends to a relaxed pace if need be - but reluctantly; the engine wants, demands, to express itself. Braking is not lacking in power to stop all this, with a certain lack of progressiveness. A little more power is needed on a machine of this type. The rear brake is also strong, so much so that the wheel locks up quite quickly; no need to worry, the bike remains controllable while a nice rubber comma scratches the asphalt.

a crazy sport trail? Just about. The tone of the 3-cylinder and its bewitching noise, it makes you want to fill up on sensations. For cruising, forget it - Although Benelli has provided a height-adjustable bubble, relatively firm suspension for a trail bike, but which ensures a certain suppleness and filters out small bumps, an upright and comfortable riding position, and an excellent ride quality.s, an upright riding position and "all-purpose" tires, the Tre-K doesn't at all have the profile of a tourer like the Yamaha TDM or Honda Varadero - Moreover, the firmness of the seat is not conducive to long trips. It would be better suited to those who want the enchantment of TnT mechanics with a little more comfort than on the roadster. You'll just have to be wary of the original tires, as you'll quickly get into the swing of things. And that engine, that crazy thing... what a success!

M.B - photos Motoplanete