Benellis Via Beijing?

BENELLIS VIA BEIJING?

CHINA’S ZHEJIANG Qianjiang Motorcycle Co. Ltd. has revealed a massive development initiative for Benelli, but the present range of models based on the 1130cc Tornado Triple won’t support such a plan.

First move in this direction has been to revamp scooter production. Second, the technicians led by Pier Luigi Marconi have begun working on a new generation of more accessible motorcycles and related engines.

Concept bikes shown in Milan were unveiled one month earlier at Cologne. The BX449 motocrosser is powered by a 60-hp Single acquired from an “outside source.” Contact with Italy’s Vertemati brothers is confirmed, but from its design and highly oversquare boreand-stroke measurements (98.0 x 59.5mm), this engine is strongly reminiscent of the dohc four-valver that Piero Ferrari’s HPE R&D Center designed for the still-in-limbo TerraModena SuperMoto. While the MXer is just an idea at the moment, roadworthy versions would be natural derivatives and offer greater production potential.

Even more interesting is the Due756. This parallelTwin shares its 88.0 x 62.0mm bore and stroke with the 1130cc Triple for a projected

output of 94.5 hp at 10,000 rpm. Such performance would be more than adequate for the lean, stylish roadster that has been designed around the engine.

In terms of actual production models, Benelli offered only refinements and variations on the three current models: the fully faired Tornado 1130, the naked TNT and the BMW GS-

esque Tre-K. Of particular interest

was the more specialized adventure version of the Tre-K, which featured eyepopping, multi-hue paint, soft saddlebags and knobby tires.

Clearly, China is on the move.

Bruno de Prato