2013/1/27.     Τhe price of the new Beneli BN 600 has been announced in Italy.

      It will be 5890 Euros, VAT (IVA in Italy) included, which means very close to the price of the new Kawasaki ninja 300! More about the four-cylinder 600 c.c. made in PRC Benelli, further below at this article.

      Concerning the motorcycle history, Benelli was established in 1911 in Pesaro, Italy. Its possibly the oldest of all European motorcycle firms in operation. Benelli was acquired by the Chinese QianJiang Group in 2005, the company is now known as Benelli Q.J.. The Benelli Q.J. maintains its main R & D base in Pesaro and supports the design and development of both the Benelli and Keeway brands. 

      Keeway, founded 13 years ago, has also European origins although bikes are manufactured in Wenling, China. This firm has also been acquired by QJ Group in recent years. 

 Benelli BN 600 

     A four cylinder, 600 c.c., liquid cooled, six speed, engine is featured, delivering 82 bhp /11,500 rpm and a peak torque of 5.3 kgm/10500 rpm (38.3 lbs ft/10500 rpm). An inverted 50mm fork is equipped at the front, the swingarrm is aluminium. 

     Two 320mm rotors are equipped at the front together with four piston radial callipers as well as a 240mm rotor at the rear with a two pots calliper. The wheels are alloy aluminium, the dimensions of the tires are 120/70-17 at the front and 180/55-17 at the rear. The bike weighs 220kg, (485 lbs). 

     This bike has already been presented as  Keeway RK6 in March 2012. The Engine of the RK6 is based on older Yamaha R6 design, the frame derives from Aprilia Shiver 750. 

 Benelli UNO C 150/250 

     A single cylinder, 250 cc, liquid cooled, engine is featured, delivering 24.5 bhp/9000 rpm, 2.14 kgm/7000 rpm. The frame is tubular steel Trellis. The dimensions of the tires are 100/70-17 at the front and 130/80-17 at the rear. An 150 c.c. version of this bike is expected in some countries. 

      Comment: The new Bennelli BN 600 is expected to be cheap, as it will be manufactured in China.  With respect to the history of Benelli and in terms of product promotion and sales, it would be wiser if the Benelli BN 600 was announced before the Keeway, and if it were a smarter equipped bike. Now, it seems that the differences between the two bikes, are…the badge  on the fuel tank. 

     So there is a misunderstanding here. Things are changing rapidly especially in our era, but you cannot treat a historical firm like that. After all, Chinese history is also really long.