Benda goes global
By Ben Purvis
The array of Chinese motorcycle brands appearing on international markets is rapidly increasing and cruiser specialists Benda are the latest to establish operations in Europe and the USA.
While Benda's offerings have been available in some European countries for a while, the company set up Benda Moto Europe GmbH in Austria in October last year after consulting with industry experts at KISKA (of FTM fame). It's also been announced that the company established a deal in the USA with importer Keeway America to put a selection of its machines onto the market there.
At the moment, Benda's range is heavily focussed on cruisers. The company first came to attention a few years ago with the launch of the LF-01 concept in 2020, a 680 cc four-cylinder muscle-cruiser with an enormous 310-section rear tyre and a jet-style air intake where you'd normally find the headlight. That bike became the production LFC700, with virtually no changes, and has since been joined by the even wilder LFC700 Pro that adds revised styling including two pop-up headlights, one on each side of the fuel tank.
Benda's range also includes some more conventionally attractive machines, notably the NapoleonBob 500 - a V-twin single-seater with a faux-hardtail rear end and faired-in forks that mimic the style of prewar girders - and the Chinchilla 500 powered by the same engine in a twin-shock chassis.
