Benelli Motorcycles...Thoughts?

[burnalot]

So this is the first time I have ever heard of Benelli.

Apparently they have a long history of making excellent motorcycles in Italy.

They are now owned by China.

My question:

Does anyone in CM OWN a Benelli?

Can you tell me what you think?

Is there a Benelli mechanic that can deal with issues, if I HAVE issues?

How does a Benelli 300cc sport bike compare to say a Honda sport bike equivalent?

Honda's a SUPER popular over here, but WAY more expensive.

ANY information you have, seriously...please share.

Cheers!

[CMKiwi]

I remember them back in the 80`s, they had some big 6 cylinder road bikes and also little pit bikes. I didnt know that China now produce them but do recall seeing some promo or flier with Benelli mentioned along side.

I too would be interested in hearing about what this brand is up to nowadays.

[funcat]

Here is a lot to read about Benelli.....

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/601716-benelli-tnt-600-inline-four/

...and Benelli 300 is not much cheaper than CBR300(CB300F)....looks good,but....

[ktm jeff]

Benelli (owned ba a Chinese consortium - QJ) only make a small number (2 or 3) of their models in Thailand and the rest are made in Pesaro in Italy. All appear to be designed in Italy. Company goes back to 1911 and made many ground-breaking models that were years ahead of others in both engineering and looks. Most have caught up technically - but Benelli still look as only an Italian bike could , superb.The dealer in CM is past the train station going away from Nawarat bridge on the 1006.Where this intersecs the superhighway 11 there is a main junction , the Keeway dealer (also owned by QJ) is just North of this , the Benelli dealer just South.Some people may try to convince you to buy a faceless , boring Honda (IMO) by their fear , and lack of knowledge , of Chinese assembled bikes . But very , very few "Hondas" are made in Japan nowadays. Most are made in Brazil , and India and some in Thailand , many using Chinese parts. No reason to worry . Benelli provides an exciting , stylish and excellent value alternative.Do some research on the company , sift through the BS you will get from the "its not a Honda brigade" and enjoy in a choice of bikes that we could only dream about just a few years ago. Good luck.

[haybilly]

They used to be very big name on the racing circuits--in the 60's and 70's--frames are as with all Italian bikes, small for larger riders--but had great mechanics.

Shame they got sold to China.

[burnalot]

Wow! Thanks for the feedback !

And Funcat, thanks for the link, much appreciated: you are correct, they are roughly the same price. I believe the Honda is 5000B cheaper.

Here is the problem, at the risk of sounding ethnocentric:

I have SEEN the shops and quite literally the "homes" where Chinese products are slapped together.

(It's NOT the big dark, gloomy factory you might imagine it to be).

Perfect example:

In Taiwan, on the first floor of my apartment building, they assembled audio cables.

This involved a staff of 4 middle aged ladies, riding to work on their crappy bicycles.

When the kids get home from school, they help out first, and construct a bunch of XLR, RCA, 1/4" cables before they get to watch TV.

Chinese people DO NOT BUY Chinese products, for this very reason.

I'm talking about electronics, electrics, cars, YOU NAME IT.

It has to be FOREIGN, otherwise people think it's crap.

I have taken advantage of this many times: Chinese/Taiwanese products are INEXPENSIVE, because they are "INFERIOR GOODS."

Sometimes, product X will last a year.

Sometimes, it doesn't last a year, and because I'm now in a different country, my warranty doesn't apply. (My 2 month old, 23" dead computer monitor, as example)

There are people sitting on both sides of this "fence" about Benelli:

"It's made in China, therefore it's crap",

and

"Honda is also mostly made in China/Thailand so you're getting crap ANYWAYS."

There is no conclusion!

My NEW questions are:

1. Can Benelli's be fixed/serviced in Chiang Mai, and are parts available ?

2. Is this Benelli going to be IMPOSSIBLE to sell once the general public learns that it is styled in Italy, but Chinese made?

For example:

I have a friend over here with a brand new KEEWAY that he absolutely CANNOT sell.

This is simple example of macroeconomics:

Thai people refer to Keeyway/Kimco/MTB etc as "Inferior Goods" and "value for the buck"

A lot of foreigners buy these products because of PRICE and STYLE.

Then, we get stuck with them, and cannot flip them when we move away!!

A HONDA on the other hand inspires confidence; whether that confidence is founded on history, reality, or experience, Honda has a reputation for making bikes that LAST.

There are Honda dealers EVERYWHERE in CM, which means if it is broken down on the road, it doesn't need to be transported 67 Km to get to a dealer.

(I apologize for "thinking out loud" here, but hopefully someone else has a different argument)

Yes the Benelli has more torque, goes faster, and looks better, but EVERYTHING dies or breaks down eventually, and when it does, I need reliable help and service, and I need it QUICKLY.

Unless/until I hear that there are more than 10 Benelli dealers in CM, and ANY mechanic can fix it/get parts, my decision is made:

I'm sticking with a Honda.

Thanks all, for your thoughts, HUGELY appreciated.

Burnalot

[guzzi850m2]

Wise decision OP.

The Benelli's looks nice but they are very heavy compared to other brand bikes in same cc class.

Yes the Honda cb300 is already a hit and should be quick to sell again when you want. 130-135K baht for the Honda 300cc is cheap man.

The Honda will as you say be easier to get serviced since they are by far the best selling bike brand here in LOS.

Check on-line tests for more in depth info about the bike you are interested in.

No I am not a Honda fanatic but will always buy whatever brand/model I think is best for my needs and that also includes service/resale and so on.

Based on that I think it will be a gamble to buy a Benelli and I am not a gambler by nature.

[CMKiwi]

Slightly off topic but I just wish Honda Thailand would put out a CRF 300 or even a 450. The 250 is okay for a while but us bigger blokes (Falangs?) sometimes crave a bit more oomph outta the CRF.

I also agree with your analogy, buy a common vehicle then spares are easier to come by and generally also cheaper than exotic vehicle parts.

[ktm jeff]

burnalot , i can see your point of veiw. Benelli will never have 10 dealers in CM. They will always be a low unit seller in many countries . Parts and servicing should be no problem though. Resale values , well im not too sure to be honest. Selling after a year or two may mean you loose slightly more money , but untill then you have ridden around on a better , more exciting bike. Swings and roundabouts.Hondas built in India , Brazil , and Thailand (whose qualty has plumeted over the past 5 or 6 years) is a safe (safer) ? bet if you dont want the Italian style and excitement and posible uncertanty.CMKiwi - now Honda has a bigger 250 (286cc) engine , if the problems of the 250 are sorted , im sure it will go in a new CRF in order to compete with the Kawasaki KLX , who did a 300 KLX years ago, but stoped making it !!.Yes a grunty 450 would be most welcome.The only other main choice being KTM , at 450,000 Baht.

[CMKiwi]

Yes Ive seen and oogled over many a KTM. Unfortunately Im still trying to shrug off the ¨But its only this price back home¨ scenario. I did they same thing a while ago when contemplating buying a 2008 Suzuki DRZ400SM. Resale price here is crazy for some vehicles. The same money could have brought a 2013 DRZ back in NZ.

So yes Ive yet to overcome that way of thinking.