The Tornado was launched in 1970 on the American market. Its “sixties style” line-up makes the bike as born old for that period, but today gives it lot of charm. The frame is a masterpiece of Italian traditional design: precise and steady, bend after bend. The solid and elastic parallel-twin engine makes the bike sporty and really amazing to ride. Vibrations are not absorbed at all; it is more comfortable if you ride it at a smooth speed. Indeed, these features are rather typical of the parallel-twin of that time and make riding very exciting. The gearbox is a 5-speed with control on the right, as on all Italian and English models of the period. The first gear is up and riding requires concentration, especially during the first km. If you are used to have the gear pedal on the left, you might hesitate a bit. The clutch lever on the handlebar requires a certain force to be operated.
The large front drum brake makes braking more than acceptable, but can not be modulated as you wish; the rear drum is very effective. However the very effective engine-breaking of the twin cylindrical limits the use of brakes.
The Tornado is the right choice for an experienced rider with a certain physical strength. Great rider Renzo Pasolini and famous actor Steve McQueen were two of the test pilots of this legendary Benelli Tornado 650.