Benelli Due 756 finally due to go on sale

[R160]

first debuted in 06, its finally now coming to market, earlier ride tests of a prototype i read said it very small, light and flickable, and it runs big ass 50mm front forks and 300mm disc's (basically a front end straight off the Tornado 1130. we'll probably see it late 2012 or early 2013
2012 Benelli Due 756 - Motorbikes Reviews, News & Advice - bikepoint.com.au

"New mid-weight twin-cylinder streetfighter confirmed for sale in 2012, to target Ducati Monster 696, MV Agusta F3 Brutale and Triumph Street Triple
As MV Agusta joins the likes of Triumph and Ducati with a middleweight naked bike, it seems that Benelli wants in on the action as well, finally confirming the Benelli Due 756 for production in 2012.
The bike will go on sale first in China in 2012, owing to the Italian motorcycle marque's Asian owners, and will then be rolled out in Europe later in the year.
It's not yet clear whether the 754cc parallel twin will be offered in Australia, but with Benelli making a quiet comback in Oz, it's certainly not out of the question.
The Benelli Due 756 will likely be the company's most affordable motorcycle and possibly its most popular as a result of its pricing. It will be built in Italy and might appeal to Ducati 696 and BMW F800R owners.
A long time coming, the Due 756 has been variously paraded as a concept bike since 2006 (at Intermot in Cologne) its latest outing in 2009 at the EICMA event in Milan, Italy.
Instead of creating a compact version of its three-cylinder lump, Benelli came to the 754cc engine type by modifying its liquid-cooled 'Tre' engine, by removing one of the triple's cylinders and working a few engineering tricks. And the 'Due' parallel twin-cylinder engine was born.
At last count the inline twin was good for 97hp (72kW) at 10,000rpm and 64Nm at 8000rpm. The DOHC engine featured four-valves per cylinder, a 12.5:1 compression ratio, and bore and stroke of 88mm x 62mm.
Fully adjustable suspension will also be part of the package, while radially mounted Brembo brakes up front (fitted to twin 320mm discs) and a twin pot caliper at the rear (mated to a 240mm disc) round out the chassis details.
The Benelli design, though several years old, still cuts a sharp image. Its eye-catching frame and swingarm and minimal bodywork show off the Due 756's engine and the headlight design is unique.
We'll be riding a few Benellis in 2012, so stay tuned for more details on how the updated range of Italian bikes fare on Australian roads."






http://www.bikepoint.com.au/Tig/UI/P...&tabID=2207478

[R160]

earlier ride impression here;
Video: Benelli Due 756 - | Motorbike reviews | Latest Bike Videos | MCN

[Satan1]

Benelli, now with 99% ugly.

[R160]

the headlight definately needs to be tossed, but i think it's overall styling fits in well with the rest of the benelli styling ie angular. hopefully its a success and allow the BX series to move into production.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EKHNw6I4lYk

[Barfridge]

I kinda like it, but then again I have a history of liking fugly bikes

[R160]

Interview with the Chinise lady who runs Benelli out in Italy, Cathcart interview and theres also a press release saying the Due as you see in the pics is for china and other emerging markets, the European and Oz version is getting a styling revamp and will be on sale late 2012.
A little more from the CEO of QJ interview.

5 Questions With... Yan Haimei
Benelli’s Chinese CEO speaks out
From the January, 2012 issue of Motorcyclist
By Alan Cathcart
Photography by Alex Photo

| |

Q: What is your role at Benelli?
A: I’ve managed Benelli since 2007. I’ve worked for QJ (Qianjiang, Benelli’s parent company) since 1999, where I’m also head of Global Export Sales. I manage sales in 80 countries.
Q: How many motorcycles did QJ sell in 2010?
A: We sold 1.5 million units, with around 250,000 exported mostly to Europe and South America. About 80 percent were motorcycles and the rest scooters.

Q: What was the objective when QJ purchased Benelli in ’05?
A: Benelli is well known in Europe, with a famous history and a good technical team we could learn from. We thought Benelli’s Italian operations could be a place for QJ to develop high-quality products for Europe and other Western markets.

Q: What is the status of Benelli’s three-cylinder Tre platform?
A: Things were bad in ’09, when we only produced 600 three-cylinder bikes. In ’10 we sold close to 1000 and in ’11 we will reach 2000, so we celebrated our 100th birthday with confidence for the future.

Q: Benelli has recently developed prototypes of a single-cylinder Mono and a parallel-twin Due. What are QJ’s plans for these designs?
A: The Mono was developed for racing, but that costs money and there’s not much profit margin on singles, so a racing program is difficult to justify. Now we will consider adapting it for street use. We will present the final 750cc Due at the end of 2011. It will be built in Italy, with sales starting in China and then following in Europe and other markets.

[Drasius]

Is it just me or do those forks look like they are at a really lazy angle?