New 2024 Benellis Shown at EICMA

[Hugh Janus]

Benelli took the wraps off the new Tornado 500, powered by a 500cc parallel twin. (Benelli/)

Benelli appears to be proceeding very cautiously with the expansion of its model range. It recently unveiled the very promising TRK 702 that has an evolution of the 502 parallel-twin engine in it. In this application it has 698cc displacement, more power, and torque, without gaining much, if any, weight or physical size.

Yet at this year’s EICMA show, the new 702 engine appears to be only available in the same existing TRK 702, while Benelli seems to be focusing on the 500cc twin that helped contribute to making the TRK 502 the bestselling bike in Italy. This same unit is now offered in two new middleweight models, with a fully faired sportbike version called the Tornado 500, and a stripped-down roadster version called the Tornado Naked Twin 500.

The Tornado 500 is a sportbike featuring a full fairing and clip-on bars that will compete against bikes like Honda’s new CBR500R, and Kawasaki’s new Ninja 500. Power comes from the aforementioned 500cc parallel twin that has been updated to meet Euro 5+ emissions. Claimed output is 48 hp at 8,500 rpm, with 34 lb.-ft. of peak torque at 6,000 rpm. It has a reputation as a flexible engine with good reliability.

The Tornado 500 is compact, with a wheelbase spanning 56 inches (just a half an inch more than the new Honda CBR500R). The seat is set at a moderate 31 inches above the ground, while curb weight is a claimed 410 pounds. The frame is a steel-tube unit with a 41mm inverted fork up front and cantilevered monoshock out back. There are a pair of radial-mount, four-piston Brembos up front with 320mm discs and Bosch ABS as standard.

The electronics suite is relatively limited, but the display is a 5-inch TFT unit that will offer Bluetooth connectivity and navigation.

There will also be a naked version of the bike called the Tornado Naked Twin 500. (Benelli/)

With almost identical specifications, the Tornado Naked Twin 500 is simply an undressed variation of the Tornado 500. Engine and chassis specs remain the same except for the curb weight, which has increased to 429 pounds. Both bikes have sharp and modern styling with the faired bike looking a bit more refined and sharp compared to the Naked.

Benelli’s all-new BKX 300 S has a brand-new 300cc single. (Benelli/)

A third new model also shown at EICMA is the BKX 300 S. This all-new model comes with a brand-new 300cc single-cylinder engine, which replaces the old 300cc twin that has since grown into the 502 outlined above. The single has 78 x 61.2mm bore and stroke dimensions and makes a claimed 29 hp at 9,000 rpm and 18 lb.-ft. of peak torque at 7,000 rpm, which is very similar to the old twin.

Claimed curb weight is not particularly light at 364 pounds, but that can be attributed to its very stout build. The fork is a 42mm inverted unit, while a link-actuated shock sits out back. Braking is handled by a single four-piston caliper up front with a 280mm rotor, with ABS included as standard. That’s it for electronic sophistication, but that is to be expected on a bike that is expected to be priced very low.

Source

[Buckster]

Nope.