DSK Benelli showcases four India-bound motorcycles at Auto Expo 2016

DSK Benelli is fast expanding its impressive, well priced range of assembled motorcycles in India. Four upcoming new additions to its bike range are all proudly on display at the Auto Expo 2016, each as detailed below:

 

Essentially, the Tornado 302 is a faired-up version of the TNT 300. The Tornado 302 features an aerodynamic looking fairing, with a clear visor in place for those tuck and twist situations. The Tornado 302 comes with an angular fuel-tank, with nicely designed knee recesses and a split-seat that tapers off into a sporty tail.

 

The Tornado 302 is powered by a four-stroke, 300cc, in-line two cylinder, liquid-cooled engine that makes 34.8bhp at 12,000rpm, and a healthy 2.7kgm of torque at 9,000rpm. The Tornado 302 comes with a six-speed gearbox, and relies on a steel tube frame. The Tornado 302 uses an USD fork suspension in front and a monoshock system at the rear.

 

Braking is via a set of dual, 260mm petal type discs in the front, with a single 240mm rear disc brake, and an ABS system is in place for added safety. Tyres are by Metzeler, on 17-inch wheels. Unfortunately, the Tornado 302 makes do with a box section swingarm rather than a more up-market alluminium alloy unit. Expect the Tornado 302 in Indian showrooms by around May 2016.

 

Benelli’s TRK 502 is coming to India around Aug this year, an adventure motorcycle, that has very little in common with the larger Benelli TreK adventure bike. It looks more like the larger and more Bavarian adventure motorcycles from BMW– but a tad smaller in size, perhaps a good thing in India. The fuel-tank capacity is a tourer-friendly 20 litres.

 

The TRK 502 is powered by a four-stroke, 499.6cc, in-line two-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine that runs four-valves per cylinder. It makes 46.9bhp of power at 8,500rpm and you have 4.6kgm of torque at 4,500rpm. The gearbox is a six-speed unit, while the chassis is tubular steel-fabricated.

 

For suspension, the TRK 502 uses USD forks in the front and a pre-load adjustable rear monoshock. Braking is carried out by Brembo 320mm, twin petal type discs in the front, while at the rear there’s a single disc unit that measures 260mm. Ground clearance is a tall 230mm, that’s expected from an adventure motorcycle. 

 

The TRK 502 provides riders the safety net of ABS brakes. The Benelli TRK 502 at the Auto Expo came with on-and-off-road tyres, not full knobbies, a 19 inch wheel in front and 17 inch at the rear, both from Metzeler. 

 

Benelli is showing solid vision, by bringing the BX 250 motard bike to India. The BX 250 comes powered by a 250cc, four-stroke, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine that outputs in the region of a full 25bhp. 

 

Add to the equation the BX 250’s relatively light dry weight of 132kg and you are guaranteed to be looking at really lively performance. 

 

The generously equipped BX 250’s steel tubular frame comes with thick, purposeful-looking USD front forks and a linkage equipped monoshock setup at the rear. The state of Indian roads means good suspension travel, an upright comfortable riding position and quick performance are all welcome traits to look for from your motorcycle. The BX 250 is expected to come to India by the end of 2016, and has the potential to throw open a completely unexplored, attractive new motorcycle segment, that’s in truth really apt for India.   

 

An interesting addition to the DSK Benelli line-up is the petite looking, TNT Naked T 135, to come to India within 2016. 

 

Fitting the description of a ‘monkey bike’ which could have you see it as somewhat related to the Honda Navi, the T-135 looks unique for its utilitarian design and 12 inch wheels. The T 135 comes powered by a single-cylinder, air-cooled, 135cc engine that makes 12.6bhp. Held together by a trellis frame, the T 135 uses top spec USD front forks and a monoshock at the rear.  

 

It will be interesting to see how Benelli positions this new bike in India.

 

Benelli is soon to offer its TNT 600i and 600GT models with twin channel ABS brakes, and both the upgraded bikes were on display at the Benelli Auto Expo stall. The availability of a switchable ABS system will address a major shortcoming noted on almost all the big Benellis.

 

Benelli parent company in India DSK is yet to reveal pricing for the new ABS equipped 600s, but we do know they shall both slip into showrooms as soon as March 2016.