Benelli 500 cc Sportbike From Parent Company QJMotor Spotted

QJMotor, the Chinese brand of Benelli's parent company, the Qianjiang Group, seems to be getting ready to introduce yet another new bike. Latest images reveal a full-faired 500 cc sportbike that seems to be based on the Benelli Leoncino 500. QJMotor already has a wide range of models on sale in China, and while Benelli seems to be going slow and steady, QJMotor is busy churning out a long line of new motorcycle models. QJMotor's bigger capacity machines share their frames and engines with Benelli models, and the latest 500 cc sportbike could very well debut as a Benelli sportbike.

Also Read: 2021 QJMotor Range Unveiled In China

The QJMotor 550 is a neo-retro naked based on the Benelli Leoncino 500, with a slightly bigger and more powerful 550 cc engine

Just one image of the upcoming sportbike has emerged, but from what we can see the bike seems to be production ready. The styling is very much in line with the brand's other mid-size sportbike, the QJMotor SRG600, and the new 500 cc sportbike shares a lot of components with the Benelli Leoncino 500, despite a completely different design. The frame of the 500 cc sportbike is shared with the Leoncino 500, as is the engine, although the engine may be updated with the more powerful, 550 cc twin, which makes around 50 bhp and 46 Nm.

Also Read: More Powerful Benelli Leoncino 500 May Be Introduced

Top-spec components like KYB forks and Brembo brakes are expected, and kerb weight should be around 193 kg. QJMotor has also type approved its own retro-naked model, similar to the Benelli Leoncino 500. That neo-retro naked will share the same suspension, brakes and wheels as the new sportbike, but like other QJMotor models, this sportbike is also likely to be available in two variants, with the standard version featuring lower-spec components, while the top-spec variant likely to get top drawer components, including Brembo calipers.