Teresa Benelli, a widow and mother of six sons, founded a car and motorcycle repair shop in Pesaro, Italy, in 1911. She used all the family capital to start a business, hoping to provide her boys with a stable job and a stable income. The Benelli workshop repaired cars and motorcycles, but soon began producing parts that were in demand.
Antonio Benelli:
In 1923, Antonio Benelli, known as Turin, began his racing career. It was a natural fit and its success proved that Benelli was a company with great potential. She had the ability to design and produce great motorcycles. In 1927, 1928 and 1930, Antonio won four Italian titles on a single overhead cam motorcycle. He won in 1931 with a twin-cam car. His racing career was cut short when he crashed during a race in 1932. It was then known as "Turin the Terrible". Antonio died in a car accident on September 27, 1937.
Benelli motorcycles
Benelli is a famous Italian manufacturer of motorcycles and scooters. The company is currently owned by the Chinese Qianjiang Group.
The company's history begins in Italy in 1911, which makes Benelli one of the oldest manufacturers of motorcycles. Initially, the company was a simple repair shop, which, however, could itself produce the necessary spare parts for bicycles and motorcycles.
Benelli created its first 75 cc two-stroke engine in 1920. It was immediately adapted to a bicycle frame, and the following year the company released a motorcycle with a modernized 98 cc engine. Two years later, one of the sons of the company founder begins to compete in the Italian championship. Riding a specially modified Benelli 175 motorcycle, he won in 1927, 1928, 1930 and 1931, and in 1931 the motorcycle was already equipped with a double camshaft (DOHC).
Before the war, Benelli managed to release a four-cylinder racing motorcycle with a 250 cc engine. see, and after that production practically stops until 1949. However, by 1951, Benelli produced a wide range of motorcycles - 98 and 125 cc light models and more powerful 350 and 500 cc bikes. The need for inexpensive means of transportation in post-war Italy made these models very popular and they successfully competed with other Italian brands.
In 1962, Benelli acquired the Motobi company and increased production and the number of employees. In 1969, the successful Benelli Tornado 650 model was launched, intended primarily for the US and UK markets. This motorcycle was distinguished by its reliability and good dynamic characteristics - the maximum speed was about 180 km/h. Production of this model continued until 1974, when it was replaced by the Multis series.
At the end of the 60s, Benelli, like many European motorcycle manufacturers, found itself in crisis due to fierce competition with Japanese companies. Although Benelli still sells a large number of popular 350cc motorcycles in the US market, Honda's more modern motorcycles have significantly reduced the company's market share.
In 1973, the Benelli company and its competitor Motto Guzzi were acquired by the Argentinean Alexandro De Tomaso. After this, the development and production of multi-cylinder powerful models such as the 350 Quatro and 500 Quatro, as well as an amazing motorcycle with a 6-cylinder in-line 750 cc engine, was launched. see. This allows Benelli motorcycles to successfully compete with Japanese models, but due to financial difficulties, in 1988 the company was reformed into Guzzi Benelli Moto SpA, and the factories in Pesaro, from which the history of Benelli began, are sold.
In the late 90s, the Benelli company began to revive, releasing successful models such as the Benelli Tornado 900 Tre sportbike and the TNT series. Now Benelli belongs to the Chinese Qianjiang Group and produces a wide range of motorcycles, from small-capacity scooters to powerful road bikes motorcycles.
Truly Italian:
Benelli recently celebrated its 100th anniversary. The company's goal was to create a completely custom motorcycle. Benelli is determined to preserve the spirit of its brand. All products are designed, developed and assembled in-house. Each of them has original parts that have been developed and adapted to very specific requirements. Everything from the engines to the smallest parts used in the production of Benelli motorcycles is manufactured in-house. Nothing is imported. Benelli motorcycles are 100% Italian and despite their price they are amazing and unique.
Ultra-fashionable and urban: what do we know about the Benelli 502C motorcycle
When you see a Benelli 502C on the streets of a metropolis, at first it seems that it is just a small “baby” Ducati, because the appearance is very reminiscent of the famous Italian thoroughbred “horses”. And then suddenly you notice little things and realize that this is actually a Benelli 502C. The manufacturer calls it an ultra-fashionable cruiser. In general, this is an urban lively car with echoes of the street and the appearance of a cruiser.
Benelli is not uncommon on the streets, so let's take a closer look at what the 502C promises us.
What catches your eye is the tubular trellis frame, behind which is the engine – a 4-stroke parallel twin with liquid cooling. It has 4 valves per cylinder and overhead camshafts. As a result, the engine produces 48 horsepower and 8500 rpm. Engine capacity 500 cc.
This engine can be seen in models such as Leoncino and TRK 502. By the way, like other Benelli bikes, the instrument panel is fully digital and the headlight is LED.
The engine is mated to a 6-speed gearbox and electronic fuel injection. The gas tank capacity is 21 liters, which is very decent for a city bike. Fuel consumption is from 3.5 to 5 liters. Therefore, you can safely travel to the suburbs without refueling. In large cities, a large gas tank is another reason for joy, because sometimes you are busy with business and only at some bypass do you realize that you still have to drive and drive to get to the gas station.
The maximum speed of the motorcycle is only 180 kilometers per hour, but for the city you don’t need more. Let me remind you that the bike positions itself as a model for confident beginners. You won't get bored with it even in the second year of driving. In fact, this is an option for the transition from a completely green first-season driver to a seasoned driver.
The bike has sensitive handling due to the tricks of the front fork offset angle, spied on street models. The inverted fork at the front with a diameter of 41 mm has a stroke of 125 mm, and at the rear there is a swingarm with a monoshock absorber. The suspension can be adjusted for comfort. In general, the Benelli 502C can be a solution to the problems of riders who have difficulty with tall motorcycles. The fact is that the advantages of the model include the low-slung long seat and cruiser-style footrests, which allow you to stretch your legs. This seating position and ergonomic features increase comfort and ease of driving.
Outwardly it is noticeable that the rear tire is not as wide as we would like. Aluminum wheels 17 inches. The front wheel has a 120/70-17 tire, and the rear one has 160/60-17. This is how the cruiser genes come out again. There are also two 280mm brake discs up front and a 240mm rear brake disc. There is an ABS system.
Overall the bike looks stylish and modern for the city. For a novice driver, these characteristics are more than enough. The contactless ignition system also brings us closer to modern trends, where new motorcycles would be better off without it.
The model can be found on the market in several colors - black, blue, burgundy with a matte copper sheen and red.
- Where are the downsides? - you ask.
The disadvantages include the weight of the motorcycle. 217 kilograms sometimes seems like an overwhelming burden for a beginner. Let’s not forget that it is the “beginners” who most often damage motorcycles, because they are not yet accustomed to working with the weight and size of the equipment.
"Top light city motorcycles 2021 for a beginner"
The second disadvantage is the cost. Officially, it is sold at a price of $6,659, which is half a million for our wooden ones, minus a few thousand – 493,158.22 at today’s exchange rate. Let's add here delivery, insurance, and something else very necessary, and now a newbie is already looking at some antiquity on free classifieds sites. For novice drivers, the price of a motorcycle plays an important role.
What I want to say is that if a novice motorcyclist can afford a motorcycle that looks in the best Italian traditions for that kind of money, then it can be considered among other competitors offering their models of the same engine size.
New products:
In recent years, Benelli motorcycles have had a huge impact on changing the style in the motorcycle sector. From the 491 prototype to the 666, from the scooter to the Tornado 900 Tre, Benelli continues to produce motorcycles that delight motorcycle enthusiasts around the world. The 900 Tre sports engine that Benelli produced in 2002 had a unique three-cylinder engine. The new engine ensures maximum performance of Benelli motorcycles. Like all Benelli products, the engine is designed, developed and manufactured in Italy.
Benelli's place in Italian motorcycle culture is remarkably similar to Maserati's in the world of four wheels. Both companies were founded by families with large numbers of male offspring, both won Grand Prix and World Championships, but at the same time both played second fiddle, overshadowed in the public eye by aristocrats such as MV Agusta and Ferrari. The irony of fate is that both brands ended up in the hands of the Italian-Argentine entrepreneur Alessandro De Tomaso. His attempts to milk the companies dry only led to their demise. But now, after thirty years of vegetation, both companies are being revived as part of huge concerns. Maserati, along with Ferrari and Alfa Romeo, entered the Fiat empire, Benelli found itself in the arms of the Chinese conglomerate Qianjiang. The company made a significant contribution to the development of the motorcycle design: this is the first production device with an overhead camshaft driven by gears; the first Italian road motorcycle with swing-arm rear suspension; the first 4-cylinder 250cc racing bike; first 6-cylinder road motorcycle; the first 4-cylinder 250 cc road motorcycle. Benelli's beginnings were more than modest. Teresa Benelli founded it in 1911 in Pesaro simply to provide regular work for her six boys, aged between 9 and 22 at the time. At first, the small workshop repaired bicycles and cars, but in 1916 it was destroyed by an earthquake. Having rebuilt, the brothers launched the production of an outboard 75 cc motor for bicycles, and in 1921 they introduced a complete motorcycle with a 98 cc 2-stroke engine. So Benelli is the oldest existing Italian motorcycle brand. To advertise their products, the brothers took up racing, especially since the youngest, Tonino, had an undoubted talent for this business. In 1927, Benelli's first 4-stroke motorcycle debuted - a 175 cc, overhead camshaft driven by gears. This machine, as well as its 250 cc and 500 cc variants, catapulted Benelli into the top five Italian motorcycle manufacturers, and Tonino Benelli and his teammate Dorino Serafini won numerous Grands Prix. In 1938, Benelli motorcycles took three first places at the Italian Grand Prix in the 250 cc class; a year later, the Englishman Ted Mellors won the legendary Tourist Trophy on the track in the same cubic capacity. During the Second World War, the Benelli plant was bombed, but thanks to the enthusiasm of the brothers, production was resumed in 1947, first of a 125 cc 2-stroke car, and later of 4-stroke models with a displacement of 175 and 250 cc. The success was also facilitated by Dario Ambrosini's victory in the 1950 World Championship: using a modified version of the pre-war machine, he won all the Grand Prix except one. Alas, a year later Ambrosini died during training, and the company ceased participation in racing. She returned to the track only in the 60s - with a 4-cylinder 250 cc motorcycle. In direct competition with Honda, Yamaha and Suzuki, Tarquino Provini and Renzo Pasolini won many Grand Prix, and in 1969, Australian Kel Carruthers again brought the world champion title to the brand. Alessandro De Tomaso bought the company in 1971. In the 70s and 80s, the company produced mainly mopeds, scooters and light 2-stroke motorcycles. But, as a rose on the cake, there are multi-cylinder 4-stroke vehicles, and the “leader” of the model range is the impressive Sei, the world’s first 6-cylinder road car. It appeared in 1972 in a 750 cc format, and in the 80s a 900 cc version was born. He was accompanied by 4-cylinder models with cylinder capacities of 650, 500 and even 250 cm3. Unfortunately, De Tomaso had little understanding of the specifics of the motorcycle market, which led to the demise of the company. In 1989, it was bought by local industrialist Giancarlo Selci, who, ironically, began his career as a floor sweeper in the Benelli workshops. For Selci, motorcycles were of no interest, and he re-specialized the plant for the production of woodworking machines. Only in the corner of one of the buildings, a handful of workers assembled 50 cc cars - their presence in the production program provided tax benefits, and then, it was necessary to preserve the brand so that there was an opportunity to resell. This is what happened: in 1997, Andrea Merloni, the son of the owner of an industrial empire for the production of household appliances (Ariston/Indesit), bought the Benelli brand. The company produced scooters for two years, and in 1999 a full-fledged motorcycle debuted - the 3-cylinder sportbike Tornado 900. Its serial production was kept postponed, and when the first motorcycles came to customers in 2002, the equipment suffered from many “diseases”. They tried to “cure” them, and soon another model appeared - the TnT 1130 naked bike, but things went downhill, and in June 2005 the production of motorcycles was curtailed. But just a few months later, an event occurred whose importance cannot be overestimated: the company was transferred to the Qianjiang concern. To make it clear what kind of company this is: it is the holder of the honorary title “Exporter of the Year” in China (2003) and the official sponsor of the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. The production of motorcycles started here only in 1985, but now this industrial giant annually produces, let me remind you, almost one and a half million motorcycles and scooters - mind-blowing power, and another two million engines. Qianjiang exports a fifth of its products under the Keeway brand (to Russia also under the Stels brand), mainly to the USA, South America and Europe. Of the concern's 9,000 employees, 2,000 are engineers. To join such a developed company is not only shameful, it is both an honor and a prospect. Which, in fact, is confirmed by the history of the revival of Benelli.
