While Benelli is set for a comeback, we brief you on what to expect from its entry level adventure tourer
Benelli is all set to re-enter the Indian two-wheeler market with strategic partner Adishwar Auto Ride India, a subsidiary of Hyderabad-based Mahavir Group. The Italian motorcycle manufacturer will only launch three of its bikes - the TNT 300, 302R and the TNT 600i - under the first phase. That said, the company has big plans for the future, including localisation of its entire lineup. But that depends on the demand its motorcycles create for itself in the cut-throat Indian two-wheeler market.
To meet the ever-increasing demand for adventure tourers in developing countries like Brazil and India, the Italian manufacturer has plans of offering the TRK with a smaller 251cc engine. What this means for you and me is that we could expect an adventure tourer that comes quite close to competing with the Hero XPulse! As for the motorcycle itself, here’s what you can expect:
Design & Features
If you haven't heard of the TRK 251, it's essentially a toned down version of the Benelli TRK 502. However, this one’s more road-biased. Borrowing design elements from its elder sibling, the TRK 251 features an all-digital instrument console, an elongated beak and a tall visor. Bifocal projector headlamps with eyebrow-like DRLs, integrated DRL’s in the shrouds of the 17-litre tank, an LED tail light and a top rack complete the adventure tourer look. It is without a doubt one of the best looking sub-250cc adventure touring motorcycles out there. The overall stance of the bike is upright, which should make it perfect for long hauls.
Engine
The 249cc, single-cylinder, liquid cooled, fuel-injected engine produces a maximum power of 26PS at 9250rpm and peak torque of 21.2Nm at 8000rpm. A 6-speed gearbox transfers power to the rear wheel via chain drive. In comparison, the Royal Enfield Himalayan, its closest competitor, produces 1.5PS less power at 6500rpm, but hits back with a fistful of torque, which stands at 32Nm at 4250rpm.
Underpinnings
The unsprung weight of the adventure tourer is supported by a steel tube trellis frame with 41mm upside-down front forks and a monoshock at the rear. It’s the same setup seen on the upcoming Leoncino 250. The front suspension offers 120mm of travel while the rear monoshock has 51mm, which is more than plenty to tackle the broken roads that litter the country. While the front fork doesn’t get any form of adjustment, the rear receives both central damping and height adjustability.
Anchoring the bike is a single 280mm floating disc with a four-piston calliper up front and a 240mm disc clamped to a single-piston calliper at the rear. Dual-channel, switchable ABS is offered as standard. Its 17-inch alloy rims are shod in 110/70 tyre at the front and a fat 150/60 section tyre at the rear.
Expected Price & Rivals
Taking into consideration its build quality, features and the brand value, we can expect the bike to be priced around the Rs 2.3 lakh mark. Although this is a good Rs 58,000 more than its closest rival, the RE Himalayan (Rs 1.72 lakh), what you get is an attractive yet functional design and better features. Moreover, it's the most affordable adventure-tourer to sport a liquid-cooled engine in India. As for its rivals, it’ll go up against the RE Himalayan, Bajaj Dominar 400 ABS (Rs 1.62 lakh), Mojo XT 300 (1.63 lakh) and the BMW G 310 GS (Rs 3.49 lakh – all prices, ex-showroom Delhi)
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