The Chinese brand Benda already has plans to enter the US market in the not too distant future, and is making a name for itself in other locations after launching several unusual production models. Now, it has plans to further expand its range with a roadster featuring a twin-cylinder engine inspired by models like the Ducati Monster and the Honda VTR250, which are available in other markets.
Design registrations filed in China show the new motorcycle, with the codename “250 Street Shooter,” which includes a twin-cylinder engine in a steel trellis frame. The company’s previous models included the LFC700, a four-cylinder inline cruiser with a huge 310-section rear tire, the Dark Flag 500 (China’s first V-4 engine motorcycle) and, more recently, the bobbers Napoleon 500 and Napoleon 250. However, while Benda’s cruiser range is already well stocked and expected to grow even more with a planned 1200cc V-4 machine soon, the 250 Street Shooter is an addition to the company’s relatively scarce roadster range.
At the moment, the only non-cruiser model that Benda offers is the LFS700, which uses the same 680cc four-cylinder engine as the LFC700, but in a motorcycle with a shorter wheelbase and a flat-track inspired style, but the 250 Street Shooter will add a second option to that range.
As is becoming the norm in Chinese manufactured motorcycles, the specifications are relatively exotic for such a small machine. There is a single-sided swingarm and an inverted fork, for example, and although there is only one front brake disc, it is grabbed by a four-piston radial mount caliper.
Although the bike is referred to as the “250” Street Shooter, suggesting a 250 cc capacity, the engine appears to be similar to the company’s 298 cc twin used in the Chinchilla 300 cruiser model. It is a liquid-cooled DOHC eight-valve engine that produces 30 hp at 8,500 rpm and 25.7 Nm of torque at 7,000 rpm in the Chinchilla, although these values may well change for the new roadster model.
