EICMA 2015: Adventure bike leads Benelli’s new model release
Four all-new small-capacity bikes from BenelliThe Chinese takeover of the Italian Benelli brand is reaping rewards with four all-new small-capacity machines revealed at EICMA.
Plugging a much-needed hole in the adventure bike category, Benelli unveiled a lightweight 500cc parallel-twin machine wrapped in what appears to be a capable off-road chassis. Specific details are scant, but the 2016 Benelli TRK 502 will be available in both a road and off-road version with the latter offering wire-spoked wheels (with a 19-inch diameter front) compared to the 17-inch wheels of the road version.
Suspension is by way of an unnamed upside-down affair up front with both ends offering 150mm of travel and a basic three-caliper braking package to slow things down.
Sharing the 47hp (35kW) and 45Nm 500cc engine is the firm’s all-new Leoncino scrambler model also unveiled in Milan. Housed in a tubular-steel frame, the DOHC engine with four valves per cylinder is mated to a six-speed gearbox.
The high-pipe scrambler look is complemented by a laterally-mounted mono shock at the rear and a beefy 50mm upside-down fork up front. The wheels are an aluminium 19-inch front and a 17-inch rear running a 150-section rear tyre.
Further down the capacity scale, Benelli unveiled a fully faired version of its capable BN 302 called the Tornado 302. The 35hp (26kW) sports bike will be available with optional anti-lock braking and should give learners another competitive option in the growing 300cc sportsbike class when it hit Aussie dealers in the second half of next year.
Aimed squarely at the somewhat odd Honda Grom, a 12-inch wheeled small capacity naked bike was also announced during the firm’s EICMA press event, the Tornado Naked T available in either 125cc or 135cc guises.
Boasting 11.5hp (8.6kW) and 12.5hp (9.3kW) of power respectively, it features an upside-down front fork, a preload adjustable rear shock and a 220mm single-disc front brake set-up.
All four models will be available in the second half of next year and retail prices will be announced closer to release.
Tags
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
