The Benelli 650cc ADV could pave the way for new middleweight models from the firm
Benelli could soon introduce a 650cc V-twin adventure (ADV) motorcycle as the 2-wheeler’s design has been filed by the Italian firm’s parent Qianjiang in China.
The design of the motorcycle is different to the current crop of adventure bikes that Benelli sells and the front section reminds one of the Yamaha Tenere 700.
Sporting a tubular steel trellis frame, the middleweight ADV has a small flyscreen, a single headlamp (should be LED) flanked by 2 DRLs on each side, a long semi-fairing, and hand guards up front.
The saddle is a split affair, but the Benelli 650cc ADV has a proper carrier at the back, a high-set exhaust with heat shields throughout, a huge engine cowl and a big fuel tank.
Unlike more hardcore ADVs, this motorcycle is more road oriented, for it has a wire-spoked 19-inch front wheel and a 17-inch rear rim, rather than having bigger rims to tackle the very rough stuff.
Still, it should be a capable machine for light off-roading. But, expect to see a version with cast alloy wheels too. In addition, the bike also has inverted front fork, and get this, Brembo brakes.
This new motorcycle will be powered by a new 650cc V-twin engine, only the second V-twin the group has in its parts bin, the other is a 300cc V-twin revealed recently by QJMotor for the 300S bobber.
Its design seems to have been inspired by a motor that Suzuki middleweights have used for quite some time now. Of course, it is not identical, but similarities between the 2 motors can be seen.
The motor should produce over 70 HP and could be used to power a slew of new middleweight motorbikes for Benelli and QJMotor in the future.
Set to sit above the TRK 502 range, the Benelli 650cc ADV could well be sold by QJMotor with a different design and under a new moniker in the most populous country on earth.
That said, the Benelli bike will compete against the Yamaha Tenere 700, Suzuki V-Strom 650 and the Aprilia Tuareg 660 in the global arena.
