What's in a name? Benda Moto LFC700 cruiser could come to the UK under 'BD Moto' branding

Multi-brand motorcycle importers MotoGB got bikers talking late last year, by showcasing a new raked-out 700 cruiser, powered by a 676cc inline-four engine.

Currently called the Benda LFC700, due to being produced by Chinese brand Benda Moto, we’re told that we could see the bikes appear in UK dealers from spring, priced at £9499 plus OTR.

The name has raised eyebrows and MotoGB say that the LFC700 could eventually be sold to UK customers as a ‘BD Moto’ instead and will likely be available through Keeway dealerships.

It’s set to join a number of other models arriving in the UK, including the Napoleon Bob 500 – powered by a 475.6cc V-twin engine and at £5699 (plus OTR).

MotoGB say the 16 valve four-cylinder engine is based on Honda’s CB650, with a revised bore and stroke of 67x48mm helping achieve the new capacity.

It produces a claimed 77.8bhp at 10,050rpm and 44.28lb.ft of torque at 8000rpm and comes paired with a six-speed manual gearbox and chain final drive.

Fuel comes courtesy of a 17-litre tank. An inline four-cylinder engine is not the usual choice for a motorcycle of this style – often lacking the low-end shunt synonymous with this genre.

It will need all the torque it can get too, thanks to a claimed weight of 287kg. For context, that’s more than a BMW R1300GS Adventure (269kg), which rolls off the production line with a 1300cc engine, and a 30-litre fuel tank.