Motorcycle specifications Benelli BN 600 GT 2016 Tourism experiments

Oscillating between entry-level bikes and characterful machines, Benelli had little to satisfy long-distance touring enthusiasts. By revisiting and adapting its mid-range roadster, the Pesaro-based manufacturer is attempting an excursion into a highly selective segment. The BN 600 GT can surprise, and aims to offer a new route.

its looks arouse curiosity. To offer protection worthy of a machine bearing the GT label, the designers grafted the BN roadster with huge shoulders... and completely forgot to dress up the bottom of the bike. The result is a remarkable visual imbalance and an unacceptable lack of sex appeal. It's as if you had to put on bits of fairing like a dog puts on its cr...te. The two-stage headlamp unit adds a touch of rebellion, topped by a bubble far too small to create a real bulwark against the wind.

although the base model is the BN 600 R roadster, a number of modifications have been made. The engine remains the same 600 cm3 4-cylinder, 2 hp more powerful, with increased torque and a lower maximum speed of 2,400 rpm. The wheelbase has been lengthened, the weight increased by around fifteen kilos, and the fuel tank has been given a larger travel capacity. With 27 liters in the belly, the BN 600 GT will be able to make some serious stops before refueling. To complete the picture, suitcases are highly recommended, and can be found in the options section.

once the touring cladding has been removed, you'll find all the essentials of the BN 600. Remaining are the offset rear shock absorber, the mixed aluminum side-plate frame connected to a tubular steel trellis, the large 50 mm inverted fork, the 4-piston braking system on 320 mm discs and the 6-speed gearbox. The latter has been reworked for a more street-oriented vocation.

the Benelli BN 600 GT won't have an easy time of it, with its oddly disproportionate design and half-tone protection. However, it is positioned as the only medium-displacement GT, with a displacement and price half that of the segment's big star tourers. Quite a gamble, and a far cry from Benelli's image.

M.B - Manufacturer's photo