2008 Milan Motorcycle Show: 2009 Benelli 750 Due

Two years ago at the Milan Show, China's Qianjiang-owned Benelli introduced a concept bike powered by a 750 Twin extracted from the tried-and-true 1130cc inline-Three. No further news about this project has surfaced. Until now, that is.

Out of the blue, we were told the 750 Due is ready for production. So much out of the blue, in fact, that Benelli's PR department didn't have time to either finalize a tech-spec sheet or produce studio photos before this year's Milan Show. That's too bad, because the bike demands attention.

Styling is shared with the three-cylinder TNT naked-bike, but the Twin looks smoother, less extreme. The frame—a massive, pressure-die-cast aluminum twin-spar unit—is a complete departure from the tubular design of the Tornado/TNT generation. It bolts to both the front and rear of the cylinder heads, using the engine as a semi-stressed structural element.

The engine sports exactly the same 88 x 62mm bore and stroke of the 1130 Tre and is fed by the same fuel-injection system with 53mm throttle bodies. The crankshaft has its throws set at 180 degrees, with a balance shaft to cancel vibration. Target output is 95 horsepower, and dry weight shouldn't exceed 418 pounds. Most striking point in favor of the 750 Due, however, will be its price, barely above 7000 euros ($8898) in Italy.