Author Topic: Any Love For New Benelli's  (Read 2115 times)

Offline ozarquebus

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Any Love For New Benelli's
« on: May 20, 2021, 08:42:21 PM »
They seem to be in the same class as Royal Enfields. They appear to have low sticker prices.
Are they junk?
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Online AJ Huff

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Re: Any Love For New Benelli's
« Reply #1 on: May 20, 2021, 08:50:55 PM »
This is where I miss Lannis  having a snit screaming "they aren't Benelli's! It's just a badge that says Benelli!!!” 😂🤣😂🤣

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Offline wavedog

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Re: Any Love For New Benelli's
« Reply #2 on: May 20, 2021, 08:53:09 PM »
Check on advrider. There is an ongoing report by a guy who has a Benelli 500 twin scrambler style bike. A Leoncino, I think. He notes all the positive and negatives that he finds. He also tinkers a lot finding which accessories work for him. It’s an interesting read. Overall he likes the bike.

Offline Antietam Classic Cycle

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Re: Any Love For New Benelli's
« Reply #3 on: May 21, 2021, 08:39:14 AM »
Benelli only in name. Supposedly designed by Italians. Made in China.
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Re: Any Love For New Benelli's
« Reply #3 on: May 21, 2021, 08:39:14 AM »

Offline JJ

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Re: Any Love For New Benelli's
« Reply #4 on: May 21, 2021, 09:20:06 AM »
Benelli only in name. Supposedly designed by Italians. Made in China.

Yes...this is true!  SSR is the importer, I believe... :cool: :thumb:

The fit and finish of these looks pretty good, frankly speaking... :wink: :thumb:





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Re: Any Love For New Benelli's
« Reply #5 on: May 21, 2021, 09:52:30 AM »
I had a Benelli back when i was too young to remember my age.  the little 50 was a good machine, and bested many Honda 50's out on the trail..  Thus ive been keeping my eyes on the new models, my problem is that they just haven't been out there for very long. All test that i have found are on brand new machines, and the reviewers all say good things. But is it a 5 year bike, or a 20 year bike ??

It is unfortunate that they are not getting the traction that Royal Endfield seems to be getting.. but i don't think that the USA is Benilli's primary market concern quite yet...

I have little concern that the machine comes from China, they have come a long way in the last 20 years, and very soon, they may be the only affordable options on the market...
I think that people that get all poo poo on china don't realize that most of the big Jap brands have been sourcing parts from china / Taiwan / India / Brazil for several decades..

Nothing much better than a Tannat from the Salta region.

Offline JJ

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Re: Any Love For New Benelli's
« Reply #6 on: May 21, 2021, 09:57:34 AM »
Remember the 1971 Benelli "Hurricane?" - - Every kid's dream of a "SUPER" mini-bike, back in the day... :thumb: :bow: :cool: :boozing: :smiley: :wink:





Back then, I also believe they made one called a "Volcano", maybe in 1970.. :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :shocked: :shocked: :huh: :huh:

« Last Edit: May 21, 2021, 09:58:31 AM by JJ »
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Offline SLDMRossi

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Re: Any Love For New Benelli's
« Reply #7 on: May 21, 2021, 10:55:15 AM »
I'm totally satisfied with my 2017 TNT 300. It's slightly bigger than the competitive KTM 390, which means that real, mature human beings like me (instead of 16-year olds) can fit on it. It looks rich and refined, is fun to ride and handles well, it's well equipped and screwed together quite nicely and has a great exhaust note, with well calibrated fuel management. Top gear could be a little taller, but it is a 300, after all. I ordered a Givi rack for it from England. Bag mounts are also available. I actually had to inform the importer that they existed. It's been called THE BEST of the Chinese-built bikes. They sell well in India, of all places.

The unfortunate thing is that it's virtually unknown in America. Dealers are few and far between. Most are scooter guys. California-based SSR, the importer, has done absolutely nothing to promote them. There's been no U.S. advertising nor road tests to speak of. 2017 parallel-twin 300cc leftovers abound...just look at CycleTrader. The 600 four-cylinder, which was sold at the same time, was not as well-rounded as the 300.

Truth is...it's the best kept secret in motorcycling. And at $3,750, which is what I paid for my 300 new, how can you get hurt? I highly recommend it!

I'm looking forward to seeing a new 502 in the flesh...

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Offline blackcat

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Re: Any Love For New Benelli's
« Reply #8 on: May 21, 2021, 11:04:56 AM »
I wanted the Volcano when I was a kid.
 
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Offline Antietam Classic Cycle

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Re: Any Love For New Benelli's
« Reply #9 on: May 21, 2021, 11:16:00 AM »
I wanted the Volcano when I was a kid.
 


I worked on one of those a while back. Most scary to ride motorcycle I've ever ridden. Way too much power for the short wheelbase chassis.
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Offline ozarquebus

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Re: Any Love For New Benelli's
« Reply #10 on: May 21, 2021, 05:40:34 PM »
 ' kind of like the new models and they are working with MV Augusta and will soon have TEN engines in their line-up and plans for 900 and 1200 twins and a triple according to the link below.

This 500 twin is technologically advanced.

here is a report:

https://www.autocarindia.com/bike-news/benelli-working-on-10-new-engines-418693



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Offline JJ

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Re: Any Love For New Benelli's
« Reply #11 on: May 21, 2021, 05:54:35 PM »
Remember the ol' BONANZA mini-bike...with the Hodaka ACE 100 motor!!  YIKES!!! :thumb: :cool: :boozing: :wink: :shocked: :rolleyes: :huh: :smiley: :smiley: :smiley:





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Offline ozarquebus

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Re: Any Love For New Benelli's
« Reply #12 on: May 21, 2021, 10:35:56 PM »
This 8 valve, EFI, water-cooled twin engine might be good.

Skip to minute 8 for a test ride on this video link.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9eJ4zUMrIvY
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Offline Tusayan

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Re: Any Love For New Benelli's
« Reply #13 on: October 20, 2021, 05:30:23 PM »
Interesting factory website and video at the link below, it’s in Chinese but the photos show what they’re doing with the Benelli name or at least what they want to publicize in their home market.

https://www.cccme.cn/shop/cccme5342/introduction.aspx

Offline Turin

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Re: Any Love For New Benelli's
« Reply #14 on: October 20, 2021, 05:49:02 PM »
When I hear Benelli, I think of the only one I've had a chance to ride. It was pretty good.
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Offline rschrum

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Re: Any Love For New Benelli's
« Reply #15 on: October 20, 2021, 09:39:42 PM »
One of those on ebay. I'll hold out for their new 6 cylinder.
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Offline krglorioso

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Re: Any Love For New Benelli's
« Reply #16 on: October 20, 2021, 10:52:37 PM »
As to the remark about "Benelli and Royal Enfield;  I bought my '21 Royal Enfield Interceptor 650 in Austin back last Winter.  $6,820 out the door.  3000 miles so far.  Not the slightest problem.  3 year unlimited miles warranty; 3 years roadside assistance.  And, it looks like a motorcycle and is made by a country friendly to the USA. 

As to the new Benellis, I don't care if the sun shines out of their fuel tank filler neck; made in a potentially serious enemy nation I have no desire to finance.




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Offline mtiberio

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Re: Any Love For New Benelli's
« Reply #17 on: October 21, 2021, 06:47:09 AM »
There is a water cooled 305 chinese benelli which looked quite interesting to me. I have had multiple Chinese bikes. Quality varies, even within brand.
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Re: Any Love For New Benelli's
« Reply #18 on: October 21, 2021, 07:05:32 AM »
The last episode of the Cleveland Moto Podcast spoke pretty highly of them!
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Re: Any Love For New Benelli's
« Reply #19 on: October 21, 2021, 07:54:57 AM »
The Kid's sweetie Nora just bought a TNT 135 for beer runs, etc.  :smiley: It out Groms the Grom, and is apparently very well built.
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Re: Any Love For New Benelli's
« Reply #20 on: October 21, 2021, 08:01:17 AM »
Checked out the vintage Benelli at Retro Wrench in Louisville recently!  Pretty Sweet!

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Offline JJ

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Re: Any Love For New Benelli's
« Reply #21 on: October 21, 2021, 08:14:44 AM »
Checked out the vintage Benelli at Retro Wrench in Louisville recently!  Pretty Sweet!



Looking at their website, and some of their phootos, it looks like a really cool shop!! :thumb: :boozing: :cool: :bow:





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Re: Any Love For New Benelli's
« Reply #22 on: October 21, 2021, 12:29:51 PM »
I like the sound of the name.
Benelli takes me back to my youth, my sister had a very nice 100 two stroke with radial fins and all stainless cycle parts..
A lovely little bike.
« Last Edit: October 21, 2021, 12:30:57 PM by Huzo »

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Re: Any Love For New Benelli's
« Reply #23 on: October 21, 2021, 01:53:09 PM »
A 270 pound guy rode a 500 Benelli at the NC Stelvio rally last June.He was able to easily keep up with Mark,the leader of the fast guys through those scary roads

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Re: Any Love For New Benelli's
« Reply #24 on: October 21, 2021, 03:33:47 PM »
As to the new Benellis, I don't care if the sun shines out of their fuel tank filler neck; made in a potentially serious enemy nation I have no desire to finance.
If you’re going to use that as a driver for your next bike choice then your options are simple.
Either a Harley or buy a boat.

Offline krglorioso

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Re: Any Love For New Benelli's
« Reply #25 on: October 21, 2021, 10:49:56 PM »
If you’re going to use that as a driver for your next bike choice then your options are simple.
Either a Harley or buy a boat.

Hi, Huzo:  My 2017 Honda CB-500F twin was made in Thailand.  Over 10K miles and it's top shelf build quality is apparent.  Not a hint of a problem.
Not a bike to stir one's emotions, tho.  The '04 Breva 750 has a lock on that.

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Offline stubbie

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Re: Any Love For New Benelli's
« Reply #26 on: October 22, 2021, 09:27:17 PM »
Yes made in China.  I spoke to a dealer a few months back while looking at a 900 Trek, looks like a nice bike supposed to be 120hp I think it was. Their 500 adv bike is 49hp, he tells me it will sit at our 110km speed limit without problems all day. But he is the dealer and he was trying to sell me a bike. I have heard it's a bit under powered since. Their other bikes are all really commuter bikes. The only reviews I could find were from India, they were glowing, but.

Offline Antietam Classic Cycle

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Re: Any Love For New Benelli's
« Reply #27 on: October 22, 2021, 09:35:35 PM »
Yes made in China.  I spoke to a dealer a few months back while looking at a 900 Trek, looks like a nice bike supposed to be 120hp I think it was. Their 500 adv bike is 49hp, he tells me it will sit at our 110km speed limit without problems all day. But he is the dealer and he was trying to sell me a bike. I have heard it's a bit under powered since. Their other bikes are all really commuter bikes. The only reviews I could find were from India, they were glowing, but.

Good thread on ADV Rider: https://advrider.com/f/threads/my-new-italian-chinese-scrambler-benelli-leoncino-trail.1487527/
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Re: Any Love For New Benelli's
« Reply #28 on: October 25, 2021, 10:14:12 AM »
Looking at their website, and some of their phootos, it looks like a really cool shop!! :thumb: :boozing: :cool: :bow:





Super cool, the owner is a great guy and good friend, Louisville if lucky to have him!
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Re: Any Love For New Benelli's
« Reply #29 on: October 25, 2021, 10:23:50 AM »
I've chatted to a few guys who have them here in the UK when I've seen them at various cafe's and food stops. One in particular uses his to commute 100 mile round trip into London every day and has over 40K miles on it with no problems. The build quality was OK with a bit of rust/corrosion starting but no worse than a Vstrom subjected to the same sort of use. Overall everyone has said they have done what was expected of them.

 

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