2014 Benelli BN600GT - First Look

Chinese middleweight sport-tourer shown in Milan.

Benelli is living a much more positive existence than some might think. In fact, the Pesaro, Italy-based factory acts as a huge R&D department for its parent company, China's QJ. A few models developed and validated in Italy are already on sale in China. Same goes for some markets in southern Asia.

Benelli’s most advanced model, the BN600R, is a neat-looking sportbike powered by an 82-horsepower inline-four. At EICMA, Benelli unveiled the BN600GT, a claimed 492-pound sport-tourer equipped with a half fairing, 7-plus-gallon gas tank and available hard luggage. The GT shares many of its chassis components with the R, including the 50mm Marzocchi fork, Brembo brakes, and cantilevered Sachs shock.

Another attractive derivative of the BN600R is the brand-new BN302, a neat-looking 300cc twin. Both machines are set to go on sale in Europe early next year, likely at very “accessible” prices.