Another contender enters the mid-sized sportbike market2026 benelli tornado 550 first lookThere was a time where a middleweight sportbike invariably meant a 600cc inline-Four. In recent years, however, the industry has shifted away from that formula, and we've seen various engine configurations and displacements taking up the middleweight mantle.The latest entrant into this suddenly diverse category is the Tornado 550 from Qianjiang-owned Benelli. The Italian-branded Chinese-manufactured Tornado is powered by a liquid-cooled 554cc DOHC parallel-Twin, with a just slightly undersquare 70.5 mm bore and 71.0 mm stroke and a 270° crankshaft. Benelli claims a peak output of 56 hp at 8,250 rpm and 39.8 lb-ft. at 5,500 rpm.2026 benelli tornado 550 first lookThe suspension consists of a fully-adjustable 41mm Marzocchi inverted fork up front and a monoshock with adjustable preload and rebound for the rear. Brembo provides the braking system, with dual radial-mount four-piston calipers and 320mm discs for the front wheel, and a two-piston caliper and 260mm disc for the rear wheel. An anti-lock braking system comes standard.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe Tornado comes with two preset ride modes - Normal and Sport - and a traction control system. Information is displayed on a 5-inch TFT screen with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity.2026 benelli tornado 550 first lookOther features include full LED lighting, tubeless Pirelli Angel GT tires, a 31.1-inch seat height, and a claimed wet weight of 437 pounds.The 2026 Benelli Tornado 550 starts at $6,799, but for a limited time, it will be available for an introductory price of $5,999.2026 Benelli Tornado 550 SpecifictionsMSRP$5,999Engine TypeLiquid-cooled 554cc DOHC 270° crank parallel twinBore & stroke70.5mm x 71.0mmCompression ratio11.5:1Fuel injectionEFIHorsepower56 hp at 8,25 rpm (claimed)Torque39.8 lb-ft. at 5,500 rpm (claimed)Transmission6-speed with bi-directional up/down Quick ShiftClutchSlipper clutchFinal driveChainFrameSteel trellisFront SuspensionMarzocchi 41mm inverted fork, 4.5 inches of wheel travel, fully adjustableRear SuspensionMarzocchi 45mm monoshock, 4.9 inches of wheel travel, adjustable rebound and preloadFront Brakes2x 320mm floating discs, radially-mounted Brembo calipersRear Brake260mm rear disc, two-piston Brembo caliperFront Wheel17-inch aluminum alloyRear Wheel17-inch aluminum alloyFront TirePirelli Angel GT (tubeless) 120/70 - ZR17Rear TirePirelli Angel GT (tubeless) 160/60 - 17Fuel capacity4.35 gallonsSeat Height31.1 inchesGround clearance5.5 inchesWheelbase55.9 inchesWet weight436 pounds (claimed)2026 Benelli Tornado 550 Gallery2026 Benelli Tornado 550 GalleryView Gallery23 photosCredit: Photos by Benelli.Become a Motorcycle.com insider. Get the latest motorcycle news first by subscribing to our newsletter here.