BENELLI BN600 (2014 - on) Review
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At a glance
Owners' reliability rating: | |
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Annual servicing cost: | £80 |
Power: | 80 bhp |
Seat height: | Medium (31.5 in / 800 mm) |
Weight: | Medium (485 lbs / 220 kg) |
Prices
Overall rating
Next up: Ride & brakesOn price alone the Benelli appears very tempting. It looks good, has some lovely Italian styling, and is a cool brand with some real kudos. The Brembo brakes, upside-down forks and nice little touches make it stand out in a competitive market. It doesn’t feel toy-like and has a big bike feel. Nor does it sound half-bad - there’s a bit of character in there trying to escape.
Ride quality & brakes
Next up: EngineAt 220kg the BN is carrying some timber for a naked, entry-level 600 and you notice this weight as soon as you lift it off the side stand. The riding position feels sporty, slightly aggressive with the pegs set back slightly. Fuelling isn’t perfect though - it's snatchy on and off the throttle, while the revs don’t drop smoothly either. But the BN’s handling isn’t bad and the stopping power is rather good. Stability is excellent and the BN delivers a big bike feel which many owners will love.
Engine
Next up: ReliabilityThe inline, four-cylinder, 16v engine is quite happy to rev and there’s a noticeable step in power at the top end. You don’t notice the poor fuelling as much in the upper reaches and you can start to have fun. There’s just enough power to loft the front in first gear with a whiff of clutch and it’s more than enough for new riders. But we still felt it lacked a little - 80bhp from a 600cc inline four pushing 220kg is not much to get excited about.
Reliability & build quality
Next up: ValueBenelli have been making bikes for a long time but the BN600 is the first bike to come from them since since the takeover. It feels well put together, but only time will tell.
Value vs rivals
Next up: EquipmentIn this price-conscious market the Benelli’s first trick is price. The BN will come in cheaper than Suzuki’s Gladius or GSX650F and a full grand cheaper than Honda’s Spanish-built Hornet.
Equipment
Considering the budget price, the quality of the components used isn’t too shabby. Huge, locally-sourced Brembo radial brakes take care of the stopping power and the non-adjustable forks are upside-down 50mm items from Marzocchi, while the side-mounted rear shock is adjustable and by Sachs. On paper, the BN600 has a higher spec than most of the competition - can you name another bike under £5,500 with radial Brembo brakes and upside down forks?
Specs |
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Engine size | 600cc |
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Engine type | Liquid-cooled, 600cc, inline four-cylinder |
Frame type | Chrome moly steel trellis and cast aluminium composite |
Fuel capacity | 15 litres |
Seat height | 800mm |
Bike weight | 220kg |
Front suspension | 50mm upside down Marzocchi forks, no adjustment |
Rear suspension | Single Sachs side-mounted rear shock with pre-load |
Front brake | 2 x 320mm disc with Brembo radial calipers |
Rear brake | 250mm disc with double piston caliper |
Front tyre size | 120/70 x17 |
Rear tyre size | 180/55 x17 |
Mpg, costs & insurance |
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Average fuel consumption | - |
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Annual road tax | £84 |
Annual service cost | £80 |
New price | £5,500 |
Used price | - |
Insurance group |
- How much to insure? |
Warranty term | - |
Top speed & performance |
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Max power | 80 bhp |
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Max torque | 38 ft-lb |
Top speed | 118 mph |
1/4 mile acceleration | - |
Tank range | - |
Model history & versions
Model history
First new Benelli to be released under Chinese ownership in 2014
Other versions
None
Owners' reviews for the BENELLI BN600 (2014 - on)
3 owners have reviewed their BENELLI BN600 (2014 - on) and rated it in a number of areas. Read what they have to say and what they like and dislike about the bike below.
Review your BENELLI BN600 (2014 - on)
Summary of owners' reviews |
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Overall rating: | |
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Ride quality & brakes: | |
Engine: | |
Reliability & build quality: | |
Value vs rivals: | |
Equipment: | |
Annual servicing cost: | £80 |
Version: Bn600i
Year: 2018
Annual servicing cost: £90
Nice Italian styling. Looks and feels high quality, not as much as a Triumph but up there with Japanese middleweights. It is heavy, 220kg for a 600 naked, and it does look and feel more like a 900 (without the power). Overall it’s a great bike to actively ride, looks way more interesting than most middleweights and costs less than half the price.
Sporty riding position, needs rider imput and to be in the right gear and the throttle needs plenty of twisting. Quite a firm seat but 2hrs+ riding and still comfortable. Pillion comfort - no idea. It’s not for pillions.
Needs to be revved high and work the gears especially for overtaking. Gets to 100 easy enough but beyond is laborious. Exhaust note is pretty good - sounds like a proper engine. No stupid whirring. Engine doesn’t complain deep into the red zone. Its like a 750 that’s been restricted and feels as solid as a Honda.
Good quality all round. Slated for being Chinese made but it really isn’t mass produced volume. If you were told it was Italian made you wouldn’t question it. Might need to check the electrics now I’ve said that.
I think they only sold 3 of these so getting parts is a challenge. Some parts for the bn300 are the same.
Despite its quite flash styling this is a simple bike. No rider modes. No gear indicator. It’s basic but the basics are good quality- suspension, brakes, lights.
Version: bn600gt
Year: 2016
Annual servicing cost: £60
excellent value for money bike
bike is a fantastic allrounder.very comfortable...hours before needing a break!
power output linear,85bhp,dohc 4cyl...superb
extremely well built,quality components,100% reliable
service bike myself,dont trust dealers.running cost is low for me,less than 1500 miles a year.
small flyscreen isnt adequate,fitted extender,metzeler tyres great,all conditions
Buying experience: dealer bought,advertised at 3k,gave me good p/x deal.
Version: TNT 600i
Year: 2015
What can I say... It is fairly under rated by a lot of people just because it just made itinto the market. It is a beautiful bike, heavy on paper, but nimble in handling, easily flickable in heavy indian traffic, so any other country should be a piece of cake. Has enough power for city rides, though past 8k rpm, it rockets like a anything, you can't complaint about. Exhaust note is sweet and something to listen to all day along, replace them with ixil's and you can hear a mile away.. Overall a very affordable, practical, fast, aggressive, awesome sounding, italian, sturdy, reliable, bike; you can't complaint about it...
very well built