Italian-origin motorcycle manufacturer Benelli, under China’s Zhejiang Qianjiang Motorcycle Group, is following an aggressive product strategy for the months to come. The company has unveiled or launched several interesting products in recent times while a few other models were leaked as spy shots or patent images.
The popular Benelli TNT 600i sold in our market has received a successor abroad, dubbed the Benelli 600N or QJ SRK 600. QJ Motor is a sister brand to Benelli of China. Benelli is also working on a higher Imperiale 530 cruiser, which could make its way to the Indian market in the near future as a strong rival to Royal Enfield’s single-cylinder BS6 range.
Now, leaked images of the upcoming Benelli BJ 1200 GT touring motorcycle have popped up on the internet. It is apparently the largest motorcycle to come out of Benelli’s Chinese parenthood. While it is too early to comment on its capabilities and overall quality, we expect it to be a substantially affordable alternative to full-on tourers such as the Honda Goldwing, Harley-Davidson Glide series, BMW K 1600 GTL, Indian Roadmaster, etc., that come at eye-watering price tags.
The BJ 1200 GT is one of the biggest Benelli models ever made
Benelli plans to launch the tourer sometime in the second quarter of 2021 if the ongoing COVID-19 crisis does not delay its plans further. Meanwhile, QJ Motor has already introduced its own version of the BJ 1200 GT for the Chinese police force. It wears a ‘QJ 1200’ decal. Either motorcycle locks horns with the CFMoto CF1250J — the biggest and most powerful made-in-China motorcycle yet.
The new Benelli BJ 1200 GT could be sold in potential European markets. Notable features or equipment highlights include keyless ignition, large semi-digital instrument console, full-LED lighting, powered mirrors, adaptive cruise control (camera + radar), TPMS (Type Pressure Monitoring System) and more. It does not feature a shaft-drive like the popular heavyweight tourers and makes-do with a conventional chain system. At a wheelbase of 1,550mm and kerb weight of 338kg, the Benelli BJ 1200 GT is still a mammoth. It rides on 17-inch wheels.
Benelli BJ 1200 GT – Semi-digital instrument console
Powered by a 1,209cc inline-3 motor (developed over the familiar Benelli TNT 1130’s 1131cc engine), the BJ 1200 GT churns out roughly 134bhp and can attain a top speed of 220km/h. Full specifications are not available at present. To give a comparison, the BS4-compliant Benelli TNT 1130 R makes 135bhp @ 9,500rpm and 114Nm @ 7,500rpm. The BJ 1200 GT most likely packs a significantly higher torque figure to move its hefty body with ease.
Source
Source: Bike - rushlane.com
