Only last week it was revealed that Benelli’s long-running 600cc four-cylinder engine will become a ‘650’ in future – and just days later the firm has filed type-approval documents in China for just such a machine.
The new bike, seen here, is very clearly based on the Benelli 600GT, which was first launched in 2013, but it gains a new ‘650’ designation and an actual engine capacity of 628cc according to the technical documents accompanying the application.
Compared to the original 600GT, the updated version is transformed into something that’s more akin to a semi-adventure bike. The original sleek luggage is replaced with rough-and-tumble alloy boxes, the screen is taller and wider and the bars have grown in breadth and height and gained hand guards borrowed from the TRK adventure bikes.
But what Benelli has been able to achieve is probably better emissions with the 628 cc motor, with Euro 5 legislations from January 1, 2021 calling for stricter requirements in Europe. On the new model seen in the images is a Bosch ABS system, which is also mandatory now for bikes above 125 cc, and side-mounted reflectors on the fork legs, which also seem to be because of latest safety requirements.
The model seen in the image wears the QJMotor logo on the fuel tank, so it will be likely made for the Chinese market. It also wears a rather unconventional ‘Stels GT’ name, but it’s almost certain that there will be a similar model from Benelli as well. What is not clear is the fate of the TNT 600i; while the QJMotor SRG600 has already been unveiled in China, and is expected to be the new model for the Benelli TNT 600i, it’s not clear whether the middleweight naked from Benelli will also get a slightly bigger engine, to meet the Euro 5 regulations.
