Benelli’s adventure range expands in 2024, with a new offering aimed at less experienced riders, as the new Benelli BKX 300 comes also with an ‘S’ variant in a motard style.
As you’d expect, both the new Benelli BKX 300 and BKX 300 S utilise the same technical base, which, at its heart, features a new specification of Benelli’s single-cylinder 250cc unit.
At least, it was a 250cc unit, but that has now been expanded to 292.4cc. An increase in bore, to 78mm, is the cause of the larger displacement, and there are also updates to the transmission, as well as increases to the diameter of both the intake and exhaust valves, revisions to the design of the combustion chamber, and the introduction of a new counter balance shaft that is aimed to increase rideability and reduce vibration. Further, the exhaust is revised with a new, longer manifold to provide a greater torque spread, and a slipper clutch is included in the specification, reducing lever resistance and smoothing out the gear changes.
All of the updates to the powertrain now mean that the engine produces an acceptable 29bhp and 18lb ft for the duration of the 13-litre tank.
The shared technical base also extends to the chassis, as a steel double cradle frame holds the whole thing together. A 41mm inverted front fork offers 180mm of wheel travel, with the same available at the rear through the preload-adjustable monoshock.
The 19-inch front wheel features a single, floating 280mm brake disc squeezed by a four-piston calliper, while a 240mm rear disc has a single-piston floating calliper at the rear - all on a 17-inch wheel.
Technically speaking, the BKX 300 and BKX 300 S are almost identical. Visually, though, they are not, and it is the visuals that indicate the few technical differences. Where as the BKX 300 is identifiably an adventure bike, the S is a motard, with more aggressive lines and stripped-back bodywork intended to enhance mobility.
The rear also drops the ride height to 170mm from the standard bike’s 220mm, and reduces suspension stroke at both ends to 150mm. Weight for the S is also reduced from 165kg to 160kg, and it uses 17-inch wheels at both ends that are wrapped (as with the standard version) in Pirelli hoops.
Pricing information is not yet available, but Benelli anticipates the BKX 300 will be available from the second half of 2024, while the BKX 300 S is expected to land in mid-2024.
