The Benelli BN251 is the most affordable offering from the Italian manufacturer and will be competing primarily against the KTM Duke 200 in the segment.
Making further in-roads into the very popular quarter-litre segment, Benelli has premiered the new BN251 street fighter motorcycle at the ongoing 2014 EICMA Motorcycle Show in Milan and is the most affordable motorcycle to come from the legendary Italian manufacturer. The smallest Benelli, the BN251 comes with naked styling reminiscent of the BN302 and will be competing primarily against the Austrian KTM Duke 200 in the segment. Very appealing on the design quotient, the figures on the BN251 appear equally promising on paper.
Measuring 2080 mm in length, 805 mm in width and 1090 mm in height with a wheelbase of 1385 mm, the Benelli BN251 is similarly sized as the KTM Duke 200 but sports a longer wheelbase. The seat height is also lower at 780 mm, while the ground clearance is just 130 mm. With well sculpted lines, elongated seat and side mounted exhaust, the BN251 manages to look just a tad bit grown up albeit with a flare. The bike also gets a trellis frame underneath, while the kerb weight has not been disclosed as yet by the company.
In terms of powertrain, Benelli BN251 uses a 249cc 4-stroke single-cylinder engine with fuel injection technology that has been tuned to churn out 24.5 PS of power at 9000 RPM and 21 Nm of torque at 7000 RPM, paired to a 6-speed gearbox. Suspension duties are performed by telescopic forks at the front and a monoshock with double sided swingarm at the rear. Stopping power comes from a 280 mm single discs with 4-piston caliper at the front and a 240 mm disc with dual-piston caliper at the rear, while the naked rides on 17-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 110/70 at the front and 140/60 tyre at the rear. The bike sports a large 16.5-litre fuel tank, lending a longer touring range.
Benelli is all set to make its India debut in partnership with DSK Motors and also showcased a total of 5 products at an event last month. The Italian manufacturer intends to open around 20 dealerships in the country by the end of next year and plans to add a 1600cc superbike to the lineup later to the portfolio. While the BN302 will be the company’s most affordable offering currently, the BN251 street fighter is a very important model and will be the perfect entry-level offering from the company. The manufacturer has not announced the prices as yet, but said it will be very competitive.
