ktm jeff

Nice one Allan. Get the oil changed , as early as now , with fully synthetic. This will help engine and gear selection. Lube clutch cable. Enjoy.

By my maths , Kawasaki , RE , Triumph and Yamaha are all ahead of AP (honda). Yes Allan , if MC D is all you can afford , what your friends eat , or all you can be bothered to look for , then thats what some people will eat. There is now more , and far better choices out there (bikes not "pink slime" burgers ) if people choose to look.

Benelli was 100% Italian ( design , components , prototypes , testing , development , and production ) for about 100 years. It was financially bailed out by a multi faceted company ( QJ ) a few years ago. As you rightly point out Richard , production in Italy is up 30% for the worldwide market bikes , whilst only 20% of Benellis are made outside of Italy. They pride them selves on using top quality components where possible. I also love Ducati. It is now owned by VAG ( German ) and so they are trying to use as much German components as possible. If Ducati "cheaps out" by using the Honda linked Showa , instead of Ohlins , it wont do them any favours. The Benelli DNA , style and passion is , and always will be , Italian. Same as Ducati is to the largest extent. I think the bikes "nationality" is more about the design team ethos and the components , than its owner company.

PK , it seems we have different opinions / values. With respect , i think the markets are changing and Honda has failed to keep up with the competition in many areas. Do your research , buy whatever bikes suits you best , and keep riding. Hows that.

Benelli has really got the market weighed up , offer exciting , well built bikes with good components and superb value. People will buy. And they are. Honda has lagged behind for many years now , and its market position has long slipped. You cant keep offering poor quality and value , and expect to get away with it for too long. Those Stallions are great , but a different target market , with its air cooled / carb engine. Benelli only had competition from the Kawasaki SL , but now KTM has a new importer , and lower prices , possibly due too lower import taxes , theres even more quality choice.

When the CB/R 250 first came out , some dealers were asking up to 170,000 Baht for them. Market forces ( and the buying public ) soon put paid to that , and people lost both face , and money. Dont think that Honda had abs. And i dont think abs is 16% of the bikes price Benelli could well offer abs if thees enougth call for it. As AllanB , and many others , have said , the ongoing Honda problems ( 250 / 286 engine / gearbox , various models with electrical issues , CB 500 ( 470 ) oil system bolts falling out , plus the latest news of the potential of a short circuit in the fuel tank , means people are looking further than the end of their noses for their next bike. "Some will always choose Honda" YEP.

If the quality of both bikes were the same , id go for the liquid cooled version. But its not. Yamaha quality has far surpassed Honda , many years ago. Have a look at some of the other liquid cooled Yamaha models too , such as the Nouvo , Exciter , Mio , or the "cool" air cooled Grand Filano. Servicing costs , running costs and re-sale values are too small to make any dent in the budget. Seems you were happy with a Yamaha before. Alloy wheels are a welcome plus.

Same size as a Honda CB "300" , just 60% of the price and 1000% more stylish. Im assuming it will be without the Honda "engine / gearbox issues".

There is a FREE shuttle bus from Swampy to DM , and return , if you show your ticket ( printed , or on your phone ) to prove your onward flight. Bus stop and ticket "check" is outside exit door 2 or 3 of Swampy. I think the last bus is around 24:00 and the first begins about 05:00. Someone may have a link to the timetable thats displayed inside of the terminal exit door ( 2 or 3 ). Quick edit - ive never used the bus or a taxi , only the shuttle bus , but the bus fare , if running , will be about b50 - 100 and the taxi no more than b400.

I wonder if they will offer other color options , when sales increase , as people discover the Benelli brand and Italian style. Not expensive to have a custom paint job. Many of these bikes will be customised. Passionate owners.

Im not 100% sure , but in the first video kindly supplied by Martinluka , it appears there are two different bikes / exhausts. Have a close look at 1:01 and 1:06. Its not unusual to display a "pre-production" bike at some early shows. Maybe answers the rear end concerns. Once one has viewed the videos , the radiator now appears much better blended in. The twin radial Brembo front brakes may be too much for the tire. The roaring Benelli lion on the front fender is a lovely touch.

I believe theres a book of similar name.

That additional shim looks like its simply a scrap piece of steel. Utter bodgers. Lucky your so diligent. Have a good look for the any other additional "shims" , and ensure you dont inadvertently transfer it / them. Great to see its progress.

Even though many makes of bikes get better fuel consumption than Hondas , even Hondas with smaller engines , the price difference will only be a small one at each fill up. Adds up over time , yes , but it wouldnt be the main reason not to buy a Honda.

When there has been a Honda in our group ride , we have often found it to use more fuel than some other bikes . When Honda started to go FI on some of its top bikes , in 2000 / 2001 ( several years after the competition ) the systems didnt work smoothly , and used far more fuel.

Thats why a love Italian bikes. They are different , special and beautiful. IMO. In the past , some considered a "Honda" to be a safe bet. Not so much now . Id be bored to tears on a CB 500X. Just couldnt be bothered to ride it. Thats not why i buy and ride bikes. Honda has never been known for the best fuel consumption , and this 500cc twin engine is a newly developed design.

Maybe the radiator could be "cowled in" a bit , or made longer / slimmer , as it does rather detract from the overall beauty. BSJ , its made in Pesaro - Italy , see the other Benelli adventure thread. Another great bike to take on the "established" brands. How much are the Triumph and Ducati scramblers ?.

Some people are easily confused by the major share holder of Benelli being Chinese , and wrongly assuming the bikes are Chinese , when if fact , most Benelli models are made in Italy ( Pesaro ) . Its a bit like wrongly thinking that most Hondas are made in Japan , by even by Honda. Back to the bike. Superb spec , with high quality components ( including Givi panniers ) twin petal front discs ( with ABS ) and USD forks , with a very fancy exhaust and with more luggage and engine capacity than the Ruyka RX3. With so much adventure equipment such as engine crash bars and hand guards already fitted , if its priced below the Kawasaki Versys , it will be priced well. Times are changing in the bike and car markets , and although old habits die hard , people are moving away from what some consider the overpriced "common" makes of cars and bikes ( whoever really makes them ) , and searching out better specs , quality and value. I dont forsee re-sale values to be any issue.

A sex change - - - - Hers was bigger than mine ! .

Thanks macknife , i didnt know that. So there is a good option , a Honda dealer that does do a good job.

Whilst not wishing to cast dispersions , you may be better and more secure , dealing direct with a main shop that is able to take immediate , and confirmed , credit card payment. Get together with some friends to order more than $200.

Those engines are fitted to bike and sidecar outfits that lug water and/or gas bottles around all day. Often with several people on. Plenty of torque for an 88 KG bike.

Skilled engineering at its best. Wonder how many kids today can set up a lathe or miller.

You may have to get it checked at a "dealer" in order to keep the warranty good , and get the service book stamped. Sumet have a good reputation , and have been recommended by taninthai , who knows his bikes. Get the Honda dealer to do the warranty work , then go to Sumet and explain your concerns to Brian .Leave the bike with him , and arrange to watch the mechanic re-check the work the following day. I know this may be a pain , but its the only way to both get the service / warranty book stamped , and ensure the job is done correctly. Ive no connection to Sumet , or imply they need their work watching !. If you use them , or another independent mechanic , let us know the results. Good service takes some tracking down.

Many people have had problems with the "Honda" fitters and their standard of work at "Honda" service centres. Many have the work done , due to warranty concerns , then take it to a quality technician for the work to be checked / rectified. Some find the work hasnt been done.