EICMA Live - Benelli BN302, BN600GT revealed
Chinese-owned Italian manufacturer Benelli has unveiled two motorcycles at the EICMA 2013.
Benelli BN600GT
The first motorcycle is sport-touring variant of the Benelli BN600R naked sportsbike.
The Benelli BN600GT draws power from the same 600cc inline-four cylinder motor from the BN600R that puts out 80.4 hp @ 11,500 rpm and 52.06 Nm @ 10,500 rpm.
The frame appears to be the same type used on the naked sportsbike (steel trellis), but the BN600GT receives a banana-shaped swingarm, that leaves room for an underslung exhaust, compared to the BN600R’s dual under-seat silencer.
The BN600GT gets a windscreen and fairing that provide wind protection, and an upright seating that suits it better for touring duties. The seat is a one-piece unit with a raised position for the pillion and the grab handles look more comfortable. The BN600R's seat in comparison was a split type.
Notable features include a 50mm inverted fork, 320mm front brake discs with radial calipers, 240mm rear brake disc, and a spring preload adjustable rear suspension.
Benelli BN302
Benelli's new entry-level motorcycle, the Benelli BN302 is the other key exhibit at the company's stall this year. The BN302 is explained as "an agile and responsive motorcycle in the rise and fall, and an excellent ally to fight the traffic of a metro city".
The 302 competes with the Kawasaki Ninja 300, the Honda CBR250R and the Suzuki GW250. It features an in-line twin cylinder four-stroke engine that is fed by a fuel injection system. It also features a dual camshaft and four valves. The engine is paired to a six-speed transmission and a chain final drive.
Mounted on a steel trellis frame, the engine puts out 37 hp @ 11,500 rpm, and 27.1 Nm @ 9,000 rpm. A 41mm inverted hydraulic-damping front fork handles suspension duties up front, while the rear uses a shock absorber with spring preload adjustment.
The front wheel is stopped by twin 260mm brake discs, and a single 240mm disc brakes the rear wheel. The bike gets 17-inch alluminium alloy wheels shod with 120/70 17 (front) and 160/60 17 (rear) tires.
The gas tank has a capacity of 15.89 liters and flows into the fairings, lending a very sporty look. The BN302 hits the market in the summer of next year in orange and white body colors.