Benda V4 cruiser approved in China
By Ben Purvis
Benda is among the more interesting motorcycle companies emerging from China at the moment - in the last couple of years launching two 700 cc inline-four models as well as a range of 300 cc V-twin cruisers - but its new BD500 is arguably the most ambitious machine yet as it debuts China's first V4 motorcycle engine.
The engine was first shown last year in 496 cc and 1,198 cc forms, claiming 56 hp and 151 hp respectively, but appearing nearly identical from the outside. The smaller of the two is reaching production in a cruiser model that's inevitably reminiscent of machines like Yamaha's V-Max.
In production form, the smaller V4 engine makes a peak of 53.6 hp and is mounted in a cast alloy chassis that's similar in concept to designs used by Indian in recent years. Benda's engine is a water-cooled DOHC design, and although the BD500 has yet to be officially announced, has appeared in Chinese type-approval documents, weighing in at 241 kg and has a 1,575 mm wheelbase.
There's nothing unconventional in the styling, and seen from one side you might think it's a V-twin cruiser. But that exhaust is replicated on the other side as well, proving its four-cylinder arrangement. The upside-down forks, Benda-branded radial brakes and LED headlight are modern touches, as is the alloy frame, but the proportions are conventional, and the twin-shock rear end is absolutely in line with Cruiser tradition.
Given that the larger 1,198 cc engine is physically similar to the 496 cc version, we may well see a 'BD1200' model that looks very much like this, but has far more performance.
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