Chinese-owned Benelli is developing a new 800cc parallel twin that could find its way into several models over time, according to a post onCycle World.

Specific technical details were not revealed, but the new twin will likely find its way into several new bikes, and not just Benelli models. Benelli is a classic Italian marque that was purchased by the Qianjiang Group (akaQJMotor) in China in 2005, after years of rocky existence that did produce some noteworthy models, including the innovative (and stylish)Tornado Tre three-cylinder machines. Decades ago, Benelli also produced two inline-six models,the 750 and 900cc Sei models,well ahead of Honda’s more well-known and more sophisticated CBX.

But powerful P-Twins in a slim chassis are all the rage now as they are a potent combination for many types of bikes, from full-on adventure machines like theBMW GS 850to urban-focused middleweights that also have the displacement to cover long distances as needed. As such, the new powerplant could end up in a lot of bikes. Qianjiang also produces motors and whole motorcycles for KTM, MV Agusta and evenHarley-Davidson.

Cycle Worldsays they found out about the new motor through patent filings, and that the design appears nearly identical to the KTMs LC8c motor, which sees service in 790/890 Duke and Adventure models, and the highly anticipated newHusky Norden 901 adventure bike. However, details on the engine’s internals are not yet known, so while it may look like an existing motor, there could be significant differences with the moving parts. Time will tell.

Benelli is hot to get into the adventure bike segment as well, launching the TRK 502X in India in 2019, and the bikesarrived in the U.S. market但是，在2020年。但是，贝内利的国家曝光和经销商网络仍处于增长阶段。贝内利最近也是如此announced at EICMAthat an 800cc-class adventure bike, the TRK 800, will be joined by a Scrambler version.

According to the Benelli website, the Chinese-owned company still does R&D and bike development in Benelli’s traditional Italian home of Pesaro, with manufacturing taking place in China under the gaze of Italian QC personnel. On the Benelli website, Qianjiang is said to be a company that produces “two million engines per year. Including ATVs, electric bicycles, lawnmowers, golf carts, generators, pumps and other gardening equipment.” So while they clearly know how to build small engines, scaling up and mass-producing a powerful and reliable 800cc mill is still a challenge for any company. To their credit, Qianjiangdoes produce the SRT750 adventure bikefor the home market.

This author currently has aBenelli Lioncino 500 P-Twin in for reviewand while it’s no Warp-10 speed machine, so far it is a competent, comfortable, good-handling and enjoyable motorcycle. If it was 800cc, I’d probably like it even more.