6 examples of how Benelli has cleverly rebranded

BN 302 ABS
Probably the best known machine in the firm’s current line-up, the BN 302 ABS hits its Japanese counterparts’ LAMS-approved top sellers right between the eyes. Powered by a liquid-cooled parallel-twin 300cc engine, its peak power figure of 37.5hp (28kW) trumps both the Honda CB300F’s 29.5hp (22kW) peak and the newly released BMW G310R’s 33.5hp (25kW) power figure. Like each and every Benelli (and a swag of other well-known brands) these days, it’s designed in Italy but made in China, which not only ensures the retail price remains competitive to the end user, it goes a long way to guarantee Benelli’s longevity too. It also safeguards it against following the same fate as the likes of Bimota, which by all accounts recently closed its doors for the last time. The 300cc nakedbike comes in at $100 less than the all-new (made in India) BMW and just $9.00 shy of the naked Kawasaki.

TnT 125
Jumping on the little big bike bandwagon, Benelli launched its road-registrable 125cc fun bike to the Australian motorcycle media just this week, and with a smidgen more grunt, a few extra features and a lower retail price than its Honda and Kawasaki counterparts, the Benelli should be a big hit among the small bike crowd. It’s powered by a fuel-injected, air-cooled 125cc donk good for 11hp, it’s suspended on a 41mm USD front fork (the same as the aforementioned BN 302), employs a five-speed gearbox and 24-months roadside assists bolsters the 24-month warranty offering. It’s available right now for a recommended retail price of just $3250. And as you’ll read in an upcoming report on Bikesales, it’s a whole lot of motorbike for not much money.

BN 251
The smaller, single-cylinder sibling of the BN 302, the firm’s BN 251 offers a less expensive alternative for learner riders whose decision isn’t based around cylinders and capacity. For a bike which shares along of the same components as the 300cc version, it’s just under 13hp (10kW) down on power, 5Nm down on torque and a significant 66kg down on heft, too – which would go close to giving the two machines similar power- and torque-to-weight ratios anyway. Most importantly, would-be owners of the 250cc single also end up with an extra $1500 in their sky-rocket and for many, that’s a decision maker.

Leoncino
Just because Benelli has future-proofed itself with affordable machines responding to the most lucrative segments of the market, don’t think for one minute it has lost its way when it comes to drop-dead gorgeous machinery. Expected to lob in Australia anytime between now and Christmas is the firm’s 500cc scrambler dubbed the Leoncino. First unveiled at EICMA as far back in 2015 alongside the soon-to-be-released TRK502 adventure bike, the Leoncini scrambler should be well worth the wait. There’s a more off-road styled X model in the wings, too, and while final retail price hasn’t been conformed for the pair of retro-styled beauties, expect them both to fall beneath the $8000 mark.

302 R ABS
The fully-faired sports version of the 300cc nakedbike, the 302 R ABS is should shake up the Aussie LAMS market when it lobs into Aussie in the coming months. With big-bike styling and a host of features like a twin (petal) disc front end, an upside-down front fork and a trellis-style frame, its $6590 retail price should be very well received. Bikesales has been given an exclusive look at this bike in the flesh and we can confirm the finish is excellent. We’re looking forward to finding out if its bite is as sharp as its bark. Stay tuned.

TK 502
With the naked, sports and retro bikes covered, the last segment base Benelli needed to cover is the growing adventure segment and will this month with the release of the TK 502. Using the same 500cc engine as the Leoncino scrambler, the TK 502 will take on the increasingly popular mid-capacity adventure bikes likes Royal Enfield’s Himalayan and Honda’s CB500X. Complete with touring-style screen, hand guards and the obligatory beak-style front guard, the road-biased TK 502 will carry a $7890 recommended retail price when it lobs in the coming months. Like its Leoncino counterpart, the TK 502 will also be offered in a more extreme off-road version called the TK 502 X and will come with a larger front wheel shod with knobby rubber, engine guards, hard panniers and wire-spoke rims. Its retail price is still yet to be decided.