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- Made in China and Italy
- Easy to drive mid-range motorcycle
- Gearbox tuning takes getting used to
- Technical specifications
- Interview with Stefano Michelotti
Benelli
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Cockpit: classic design with fuel gauge and analog tachometer.
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Underseat bags: sleek and with strong echoes of Aprilia’s Dorsoduro.
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Plans and projects: the R&D boss of Benelli Italy in conversation with MOTORRAD correspondent Eva Breutel.
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Crisp: The design of the BN 600 looks typically Italian.
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Benelli BN 600 R in the test
Made in China and Italy
The European version of the Benelli motorcycles are produced in China, but are co-developed and assembled by Benelli in Italy. So also the 82 hp Benelli BN 600 R, of which we drove a pre-production model for the short test.
Good things take time, apparently especially long in China. It’s been eight years since the Italian brand was acquired B.enelli took it until the Chinese owner Qianjiang, or QJ for short, came out with a strategy for motorcycle production. The focus is on inexpensive four and two-cylinder models, which are launched in a similar form in Asia, Europe and South America. The European version is developed and assembled by Benelli in Italy.
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Benelli BN 600 R in the test
Made in China and Italy
Benelli BN 600 R with 82 hp. MOTORRAD was already able to drive a prototype in the summer (issue 19/2013), now a pre-production model was ready at the Benelli headquarters in Pesaro on the Adriatic Sea. The 600 looks mature and well made. The beefy engine and the structure are supplied by the Chinese factory, while Benelli Italy takes care of the assembly and refines the motorcycle with European components. These include the Marzocchi upside-down fork, the adjustable Sachs shock absorber, Brembo radial pliers, Metzeler Sportec tires and a hoarse, barking, emotional sound that has been tuned for a long time.
Easy to drive mid-range motorcycle
The Benelli BN 600 R is designed as an easy-to-drive mid-range motorcycle that people with less experience should also get along with. It does justice to this, even the slightly bent, relaxed sitting position conveys a good feeling and a lot of control, the operation is intuitive. As if by itself, the BN 600 R takes the partly gentle, partly steep curves of the Panoramica, the high road between Pesaro and Riccione.
Thanks to the ingenious weight distribution with 52 percent load on the front wheel, the four-cylinder can be steered with little effort and remains stable in line. The chassis basically works properly, but the softly tuned fork sets limits for those in a hurry. But at country road speeds of between 80 and 120 km / h, the Benelli BN 600 R feels right at home and swings harmoniously through curves and bends, the powerful Brembo stoppers can be dosed with pinpoint accuracy; Unfortunately, ABS is not on board.
Naked bike
Benelli BN 600 in the driving report
Development in Italy, four-cylinder from China
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Gearbox tuning takes getting used to
The Benelli BN 600 R has to get used to the gearbox setting: the extremely short first gear is only used for starting, in the also short sixth gear the engine turns at 7000 rpm at 130 km / h and causes noticeable vibrations in the handlebars and footrests as well as a slight rattle in the Cockpit. The technicians want to improve the not always smooth load change reactions before the start of series production.
The production of the Benelli BN 600 R will start these days, the market launch is planned for January at a price of 6490 euros. Benelli also wants to gain a better foothold with her in Germany. The sales network is to be expanded to at least 30 dealers, an importer is currently being sought.
Technical specifications
Benelli
Crisp: The design of the Benelli BN 600 R looks typically Italian.
engine
Water-cooled four-cylinder four-stroke in-line engine, two overhead camshafts, four valves, injection, Ø 38 mm, wet sump lubrication, regulated catalytic converter, oil bath clutch, six-speed gearbox, O-ring chain.
Bore x stroke 65 x 45.2 mm
Cubic capacity 600 cm³
Rated output 60 kW (82 hp) at 11,500 rpm
Max. Torque 52 Nm (5.3 kpm) at 10,500 rpm
landing gear
Trellis frame made of steel with screwed aluminum cast parts, upside-down fork, Ø 50 mm, aluminum two-arm swing arm, directly hinged strut, adjustable spring base and rebound damping, front disc brake, Ø 320 mm, with radial pliers, rear disc brake, Ø 260 mm, two-piston -Fixed saddle.
Cast aluminum wheels 3.50 x 17; 5.50 x 17
Tires 120/70 ZR 17; 180/55 ZR 17
mass and weight
Wheelbase 1430 mm, steering head angle 66 degrees, caster 98 mm, seat height 800 mm, weight with a full tank of 220 kg, load 190 kg, spring travel 120/123 mm, tank capacity / reserve 15/3 liters.
Two year guarantee
Colors red, black, white
Price 6490 euros
Interview with Stefano Michelotti
Benelli
Plans and projects: the R&D-boss of Benelli Italy in conversation with MOTORRAD correspondent Eva Breutel.
So far, Benelli has built large and strong three-cylinders. Why do you now rely on a rather good four-cylinder?
Our parent company QJ wanted a motorcycle that appealed to the largest possible audience and that even beginners could ride. This is an important step for us, because it allows us to win new customers.
Where was the motorcycle developed??
The project originated in Pesaro and was then made ready for series production at QJ for the Asian market. The BN 600 has been around in China for two years, around 3000 units have been sold so far. We made the R version for Europe, namely with European components. The 50 mm fork is about the same as on our three-cylinder TNT and Trek, only softer.
Why was the fork tuned so softly?
On the one hand, this ensures more comfort and, on the other hand, ensures that the front wheel never lifts off; our target group are people with not that much experience. We will, however, offer retrofit cartridges that enable adjustment and thus a tighter adjustment.
We have seen the BN 600 with other brand names, such as Generic. How can this be explained?
It was the Chinese version of the motorcycle that was imported into Europe. We have now stopped that, the BN is only from Benelli.
Why is ABS missing?
We cooperate with Bosch, but the development will still take about a year. The motorcycle is prepared for ABS, which can then be easily integrated into production.
What about the two-cylinder Due 756 that was shown a few years ago and what happens to the three-cylinder?
We’re working on the 750 twin-cylinder again, that’s the next project. Our three-cylinder remains in the program and is continuously modeled. With the four-cylinder of the BN 600, there will also be a touring version, as well as an entry-level model with 48 hp and, in the medium term, more sporty versions, because the engine creates 96 hp without a limiter. Finally, there will also be a 300 twin-cylinder next year. Overall, our product range is much wider than it used to be, we have left our niche.
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