Italian motorcycle brand, Benelli launches sportsbikes in India

Legendary Italian motorcycle brand, Benelli, launched five of its popular models in the city on Thursday. The motorcycles are already available for sale at its exclusive showroom in Jogeshwari on the Western Express Highway.

TNTGT, a 600 cc motorcyle. Pics/ Hassan M Kamal

TNT 600i (left) and TNT 600 GT (right)

The range includes the entry level TNT 302, a two-cyliner 300cc motorcycle with a starting price of Rs 2,82,000; two 600cc motorcycles - the TNT 600i which gets a 600cc inline four-cylinder engine and adjustable rear shocks for Rs 5,15,000 and the TNT 600 GT, a touring bike with 27-litre fuel tank and a sporty 600cc inline four-cylinder engine for Rs 5,62,000. The range also includes the TNT 899, a four-stroke 898cc motorcycle with racing inspired forks for better cornering for Rs 9,48,000 and the limited edition TNT R1, a 1130cc motorcycle priced at Rs 11,81,000.

TNT 600i

TNT 300

Started in 1911 by six Benelli brothers - Giuseppe, Giovanni, Francesco, Filippo, Domenico and Antonio - in Pesaro, Italy, the motorcycle brand with its lineage of 104 years, is one of the oldest European motorcycle brands, and holds quite a reputation in the world of racing. Qianjiang Group, a Chinese corpoaration based in Wenling, southeast China, however, currently owns Benelli.

TR1, a limited edition 1130cc motorcycle

TNT 899

The motorcycles will be sold in the country under DSK Benelli, a joint partnership between Benelli and DSK Motowheels. DSK is known for bringing the Korean Hyonsung motorcycles in India. The company said it would also be introducing a 250cc motorcycle in the second half of 2015, and two other superbikes by the end of the year.

Shirish Kulkarni, Chairman, DSK Motowheels and George Wang, Board Director, Benelli, at the launch of five superbikes by the Italian motorcycle company, Benelli on Thursday in Mumbai

All prices are ex-showroom Delhi.