Motorcycle specifications Benda MotorLFC 700 2024 Shock mixture

Whatever the Chinese brand, various reputations revolve around the country's industrial design. China copies, China exploits, China makes m....; but new times raise other facts: China is the factory of the world, China improves, and China dares! A case in point is the Benda LFC 700, a totally iconoclastic custom bike that's also spectacular.

Now, as you may have gathered, we're not talking about an American motorcycle, a specialist in the genre, or a production by a brand accustomed to the domain. Who today would dare to go so far off the beaten track as to present such an enigmatic machine?

Benda does it, dares it, introduces it to the market with this remarkable cruiser. Its futuristic shape, massive stance and length make it look like the bike of a manga or even a modification specialist. The front end threatens with a cyclopean turbine mouth - a beautiful styling effect that in reality conceals... nothing. The real headlight is above. Special mention must be made of the integration of the front indicators, introducing Diavel V4-style scoops.

The LFC is all about intriguing bits and pieces. Like its incredible all-aluminium frame, which is omnipresent. Or its enormous 310 mm rear tire, crushing the road with its presence. The swingarm is also surprising, as is the quad exhaust.

When it comes to powertrains, China's evolution is counter-cultural. There's no question of a huge twin, which would be much better suited to such a cruiser. Faced with it, ready to make the gumshoe suffer, the neophyte would expect big but really big torque. The LFC evolves with an in-line 4-cylinder offering a mere 6.2 mkg. Quite high too, at 8,000 rpm. We can console ourselves with 79 hp* of power, but here again, you have to go looking for watts. A little over 10,000 rpm is required to get the most out of the engine. The Benda requires the exact opposite of Harley throttle management.
* On its home turf, the 676 cm3 block develops 94 hp. But adaptation to Euro5 has taken its toll.
The secondary chain drive is also a departure from the norms of the category.

While cruising enthusiasts will suffer from this type of engine, those with a sporty character will be pleased. A 4-cylinder engine like this offers flexibility and the need to rev to get the best out of it. The LFC looks and drives like a power cruiser, with the character of a tough roadster.

this eccentricity requires an appreciation of the bike's manners. With its good-sized seat and low seat height (just 700 mm), the Benda is designed to welcome its rider. It's a good thing too, because afterwards, it's a typical riding position that awaits the rider, just like on a custom bike with character. Feet well forward, hands pushed towards domination with the wide handlebars and away from the chest - the posture is just like the bike.

These wide handlebars will give you plenty of leverage, but the 700 LFC's agility can be tricky. Its wheelbase is immense, reaching 1720 mm; a Goldwing or a Softail Breakout don't have as much. Combined with a tire as wide as a TV, you'll have to plan to take this particular long partner with conviction. Fortunately, the weight remains correct (for the category) at 287 kg fully loaded. That's a hefty figure, but a traditional custom easily exceeds 300 kg dry.

The brakes will therefore have more work to do than on a roadster of the same displacement, but not to worry. Benda offers its LFC 700 Brembo equipment, with two M4.32 radial calipers at the front to attack 320 mm discs. The rear measures 260 mm and is supervised by dual-channel ABS.

Inspired, disturbing, appealing, far from repulsive, the LFC 700 has already succeeded in its aim of creating a motorcycle that surprises. Assembly and overall quality appear to be top-notch. As for equipment, the most geeky will criticize its lack of traction control, but there's a 5-inch TFT color screen connected to Bluetooth, backlit commodos, a USB socket, a few fork adjustments and cruise control.

Its main handicap is its price, which is quite high for a 700. However, it's hard to really assess its price/performance/equipment/pleasure ratio, because between its extravagance and its technical proposals, the Benda LFC 700 is truly a machine in a class of its own.

M.B. - Manufacturer's photos