Benelli (motorcycle manufacturer)

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Benelli

logo
legal form Spa
founding 1911
Seat Pesaro , Italy
Number of employees 50
Branch Motorcycle manufacturer
Website www.benelli.com

The Benelli QJ srl is an Italian manufacturer of motorcycles based in Pesaro ( Marche region ).

The Benelli company was founded in Pesaro near Rimini in 1911 as Garage Benelli by six brothers. Since October 1, 2005, the company has belonged to the Chinese two-wheeler and engine manufacturer Qianjiang , whose products are offered in Europe under the Keeway name .

history

Benelli 750 Sei, the first mass-produced motorcycle with a six-cylinder engine
Benelli 750 Sei, engine (2016-09-04) .JPG

The series production of motorcycles by Benelli began in 1921. In the motorcycle world championship in 1950 Dario Ambrosini and Kel Carruthers in 1969 won the title in the 250 cc class. In 1971, the Argentine entrepreneur Alejandro de Tomaso took over the company. In 1974, the Benelli 750 Sei was the first series-produced machine with a six-cylinder engine . The details of the engine are similar to that of the Honda CB 500 Four .

Due to a lack of demand, the production of motorcycles was stopped in the mid-1980s and only resumed in 1992 under the direction of Andrea Merloni, who bought up the remains of the company and the brand name. Merloni's family owns a large kitchen and bathroom equipment company in Italy. He successfully started producing scooters . In 2002 Benelli presented the super sports car Tornado Tre 900 , which was powered by a three-cylinder in- line engine. Two years later followed the naked bike TNT ( Tornado Naked Tre ) with a Tornado engine enlarged to 1130 cm³ .

On October 1, 2005, the company was sold to the Chinese two-wheeler and engine manufacturer Qianjiang, which wants to keep the “Benelli” motorcycle brand. From 2006, the engines were no longer to be made to order by Moto Morini , but by Benelli in Pesaro itself.

In July 2016 the company was declared bankrupt by the Pesaro court due to an unpaid invoice from the supplier WP for € 120,000 from 2007. In the late summer of 2016, the Higher Regional Court in Ancona overturned this decision.

Production models (as of October 2016)

For a long time, the current Benelli models were mainly powered by powerful three-cylinder in-line engines with DOHC control with four valves per cylinder. The basics of this propellant should come from the Laverda development department. There are two displacement variants: 898 cm³ and 1,130 cm³. The bore is 88 mm in both, but instead of 49.2 mm, the 1130 version has a 62 mm stroke. Power is transmitted to the rear wheel via a six-speed gearbox and an O-ring chain. The chassis is generally equipped with a tubular frame made of chrome-molybdenum steel and an upside-down fork , the rear wheel guidance of the Tornado is provided by an aluminum two-arm swing arm, while the TNT and the TreK use an elaborately welded framework swing arm made of tubular steel. The installation position of the water cooler is worth mentioning; In the case of the Tornado models, this is unusually located under the rear frame, in the case of the TNT on both sides next to the cylinder head and in the case of the TreK it is traditionally in front of the engine. For the 2007/08 model year, the engines were fitted with a catalytic converter and meet the Euro 3 emissions standard . The complete overhaul of the cylinder head and the injection system made it possible to increase the torque in the lower speed ranges and reduce consumption. Today the main business of Benelli is mainly in the production of low-cost, small displacement classes.

The general importer for Germany from 2002 to 2009 was the März company. From 2009 to February 2012 the motorcycles were imported by Karcher AG . Karcher AG still sold the scooter models under the name “Benelli” until 2018; today the vehicles operate under the brand name “Keeway”.

From February 2012, the motorcycles were again imported directly from Benelli. In 2016 the Austrian KSR Group took over the distribution of the Benelli models for Germany and Switzerland.

Naked bikes

  • BN 251 (18 kW / 25 PS, 21 Nm)
  • BN 302 (28 kW / 38 PS, 27 Nm)
  • BN 302R (28 kW / 38 PS, 27 Nm)
  • BN 600 I (60 kW / 82 PS, 52 Nm, ABS)

Sports Tourer

  • TRK 502 (38 kW / 48 PS, 45 Nm)
  • BN 600 GT (60 kW / 82 PS, 52 Nm)
  • TreK 1130K (92 kW / 125 PS, 112 Nm, adjustable shock absorber)

Scrambler

  • Leoncino (38 kW / 48 PS at 8,500 rpm, 45 Nm at 4,500 rpm)
  • Leoncino Trail (38 kW / 48 PS at 8,500 rpm, 45 Nm at 4,500 rpm)

Fun bikes

  • TNT 125 (8.6 kW at 9,000 rpm, 10 Nm at 7,000 rpm)

Discontinued production models

Super athletes / superbikes

  • Tornado Tre 900 (100 kW / 136 PS, 100 Nm, fully adjustable chassis)
  • Tornado Tre 900 LE (Limited Edition), 100 kW / 136 PS, 100 Nm, fully adjustable Öhlins chassis, Marchesini forged wheels.
  • Tornado Tre RS (105 kW / 143 PS, 100 Nm, fully adjustable chassis)
  • Tornado Tre 1130 (120 kW / 163 PS, 124 Nm, fully adjustable chassis)

Naked bikes

  • BN 600 R (60 kW / 81 PS, 52 Nm)
  • TNT 899 (88 kW / 120 PS, 88 Nm, fully adjustable chassis)
  • TNT 899S (88 kW / 120 PS, 88 Nm, fully adjustable 43 mm suspension fork)
  • TNT Café Racer 899 (88 kW / 120 PS, 88 Nm, fully adjustable chassis, pillion cover, front spoiler, carbon applications, stub handlebars)
  • TNT Century Racer 899 (88 kW / 120 PS, 88 Nm, anniversary model 100 years Benelli, fully adjustable chassis, wave brake discs, radial Brembo brake calipers, front spoiler)
  • TNT 1130 (95 kW / 129 PS, 110 Nm, without Kat: 101 kW / 137 PS, adjustable strut)
  • TNT Sport evo (95 kW / 129 PS, 110 Nm, fully adjustable chassis, radial Brembo brake calipers, front spoiler)
  • TNT Café Racer (95 kW / 129 PS, 110 Nm, fully adjustable chassis, pillion cover, front spoiler, carbon applications, stub handlebars)
  • TNT Titanium (95 kW / 129 PS, 110 Nm, fully adjustable chassis, forged wheels, titanium silencers, various carbon parts)
  • TNT GP Racer (95 kW / 129 PS, 110 Nm, fully adjustable chassis, various carbon parts) - one-off
  • TNT Carbonium (95 kW / 129 PS, 118 Nm, fully adjustable chassis, forged wheels, dry clutch, various carbon parts) - unique item
  • TNT R160 (114 kW / 155 PS, 120 Nm, fully adjustable chassis, hydraulic dry anti-hopping clutch, carbon silencer, wave brake discs, carbon front spoiler)
  • TNT Century Racer (95 kW / 129 PS, 110 Nm, anniversary model 100 years of Benelli, fully adjustable chassis, wave brake discs, radial Brembo brake calipers, front spoiler)
  • TNT R (116 kW / 157 PS, 120 Nm, fully adjustable chassis, 50 mm Marzocchi fork, hydraulic dry slipper clutch, carbon silencer, carbon fenders, carbon belly pan, wave brake discs, radial Brembo brake calipers)

Sports Tourer

  • TreK 899 (80 kW / 108 PS, 88 Nm)
  • TreK 1130 (92 kW / 123 PS, 112 Nm, adjustable shock absorber)
  • TreK 1130 Amazonas (92 kW / 123 PS, 112 Nm, adjustable shock absorber)

Off-road motorcycles

  • BX 499 Cross (41 kW / 56 PS, 45 Nm, adjustable chassis)
  • BX 499 Enduro

Scooter

Some scooter models were produced in Italy until they were sold to the Chinese manufacturer. All 50 cm³ models developed and produced there were operated with a two-stroke engine . Some Benelli models live on under the brand name Adiva . The Adiva model was sold under this brand, the 491 should be available again as Namura 50 in 2008 with slightly modified equipment, but did not come on the market. Some other models were still offered as "Benelli" after the takeover by the Chinese manufacturer, but were produced in China and equipped with different technology.

The model 491 is a sporty designed scooter. It was available with an air or water-cooled engine with 49 cm³. From around 2003 onwards, Morini engines were installed, before that the more popular Minarelli engines with an ignition system from Ducati , because they are more powerful and durable . All models had a powerful Grimeca brand disc brake system on the front axle. The 491 ST was equipped with an air-cooled engine and rear drum brakes. The 491 SP (Sport) had a water-cooled engine and the braking system of the ST . The model 491 RR (Racing) had the engine of the SP and a rear disc brake, which was similar to the front brake with a diameter of 190 mm. Depending on the model, the 491 was equipped with a sports suspension from Paioli or a standard suspension. Depending on the year of construction and version, the other equipment differed only slightly, e.g. B. on the seat, the speedometer, the rim color and the horn and starter button. In addition, there were the 491 Replica and the 491 Army as special models, which differed from the standard models by a design tailored to the theme.

The main difference between the K2 model and the 491 was that it had a different front and rear fairing, including other lights . The K2 was available as a K2 50 with a 49- and as a K2 100 with a 101.1-cm³ single - cylinder two-stroke engine .

The Pepe was a 49 cc large wheel scooter.

The Naked was a 1950s scooter and was most similar in design to the Piaggio TPH and NRG.

The Velvet was available as a Velvet 125 (Touring) with a 124 cm³ and a Velvet 250 with a 249 cm³ single-cylinder four-stroke engine , and as a Velvet Dusk 400 with a 381 cm³ engine.

The Adiva was a motor scooter with a folding roof and was available as the Adiva 125 and Adiva 150 .

After the sale to the Chinese group, the 49x came onto the market as the successor to the 491 . The Velvet and Pepe were still available after the takeover. Then there was the Caffè Nero , which was supposed to replace the Velvet 250 .

The vehicles are now sold under the brand name "Keeway".

Scooter models (as of April 2015)

  • Zenzero 350 (15.4 kW / 21 PS, 24 Nm)
  • Caffénero 125 (8.9 kW / 12 PS, 13 Nm)
  • Caffénero 150 (9.6 kW / 13 PS, 13 Nm)
  • Macis 125 (8.9 kW / 12 PS, 11 Nm)
  • Macis 150 (9.1 kW / 12 PS, 13 Nm)
  • Pepe 50
  • Quattronovex 50

Picture gallery

  • Benelli 900 Sci (1978)

  • The “Benelli 750 Sei” with 6 cylinders, seen at Burg Castle .

  • Benelli TNT Café Racer at the Intermot 2004 in Munich

  • Benelli TNT Café Racer at the Intermot 2004 in Munich

  • Benelli Tornado Tre 900, 2003 model

  • Benelli Tornado 1130, 2006 model

  • Benelli Pepe, model 2008

Motorcycle racing

Motorcycle world championship

Overall, Benelli was able to achieve two drivers ' and two constructors ' titles in the motorcycle world championship .

ItalyItaly Dario Ambrosini (1)

  • World champion in the 250 cm³ class: 1950

AustraliaAustralia Kel Carruthers (1)

  • World champion in the 250 cm³ class: 1969

European motorcycle championship

The manufacturer won two drivers' titles in the European motorcycle championship .

ItalyItaly Carlo Baschieri (1)

  • European champion in the 175 cm³ class: 1932

BelgiumBelgium Yvan Goor (1)

  • European champion in the 175 cm³ class: 1934

Automobiles

In 1949 Giuseppe Benelli decided to develop a car. Besides Benelli, the Beretta arms factory and Count Luigi Castelbarco, who financed the project, were also involved. The model was therefore given the name BBC. It was a small sedan with four seats. For driving a saw V2 - four-stroke engine with 21 hp power. There are different specifications for the displacement : 500 cm³, 600 cm³ or 750 cm³ Although the engine was air-cooled , there was an imitation radiator grille on the front of the vehicle. The vehicle was front-wheel drive . The curb weight was given as 630 kg, and the top speed was 100 km / h. Only two or three prototypes were made. One copy still exists.

literature

for automobile production

Web links

Commons : Benelli Motorcycles  - Collection of pictures, videos and audio files

Company history

motorcycles

Scooter

  • Keeway. Karcher AG(today's brand name of the former Benelli motor scooters).;

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Motorrad , 17 of August 5, 2016, p. 7.
  2. ↑ The Ettlingen crime scene. March Motorradhandel GmbH, archived from the original on April 13, 2015 ; accessed on May 17, 2020 .
  3. ↑ Stephan Maderner: Karcher parted ways with the Benelli motorcycle sales force. In: bike and business . March 9, 2012, accessed May 17, 2020 .
  4. ↑ Benelli Scooters Germany. Karcher AG, archived from the original on April 16, 2018 ; accessed on May 17, 2020 .
  5. ↑ a b Keeway. In: karcher-products.de. Retrieved May 17, 2020 .
  6. ↑ Benelli appoints KSR Group as new importer for Germany and Switzerland. In: motorradreporter.com. April 22, 2016, accessed May 18, 2020 . KSR Group takes over Töffhandel GmbH in Switzerland. In: tourenfahrer.de. April 30, 2020, accessed May 18, 2020 .
  7. ^ Ralf Beelitz: Benelli Velvet. In: Scooter info. July 1, 2003, accessed May 17, 2020 .
  8. ↑ Benelli Adiva. In: tso-motorrad.de. Archived from the original on September 21, 2008 ; accessed on May 17, 2020 .
  9. ↑ Current scooters. In: benelli.com. Archived from the original on April 5, 2015 ; accessed on May 17, 2020 (Italian).
  10. ↑ a b c d e f g h i Harald H. Linz, Halwart Schrader : The International Automobile Encyclopedia . United Soft Media Verlag, Munich 2008, ISBN 978-3-8032-9876-8 .
  11. ↑ a b c draftsman: Kleinwagen International.
  12. ^ A b c Georgano: The Beaulieu Encyclopedia of the Automobile.