Benelli Parent Company Qianjiang Working On 650 cc V-Twin ADV
Highlights
- 650 cc v-twin to make around 75 bhp, with 219 kg kerb weight
- China's Qianjiang Group owns Benelli and the QJMotor brand
- QJMotor is Benelli's sister brand; same platform to be used by Benelli
China's Qianjiang Group, the parent company of Benelli, as well as Chinese brand QJMotor, seems to be working on the company's first adventure bike powered by a 650 cc v-twin engine. Photos showing the final production model of the new 650 cc adventure bike in type-approval filings in China have now surfaced, under the QJMotor brand. The bike sports a new v-twin engine mounted around what looks like an adventure-spec chassis, and production is expected to begin soon. But being a sister brand of Benelli, it should only be a matter of time before the Benelli branded products on the same platform are introduced.
The type-approval documents reveal two variants of the bike, with a choice of cast alloy wheels or wire spoked wheels, and will likely also be offered with standard luggage options, so in all, there could be four different variants, with or without luggage. But both wheel types employ the same sizes, a 19-inch front wheel and 17-inch rear wheel, and once it rolls out of the production line, these bikes will likely rival the Suzuki V-Strom 650, as well as the Kawasaki Versys 650 to some extent.
In terms of performance, the QJMotor seems to have more performance, at least on paper, with peak output rated at 75 bhp, with kerb weight listed at 219 kg. The optional top box and side cases will add 19 kg more to the total weight. The images reveal upside down forks and a monoshock at the rear. Brakes are by Brembo with radial mounted calipers. If it actually makes for a Benelli version, it will be interesting to see how Benelli intends to offer the TRK 502, with a 500 cc parallel-twin, and a 650 cc v-twin, more or less very close to each other. Considering the success the TRK 502 has had, the 650 cc ADV is likely to boast of more off-road capability.