Benelli Imperiale 400 First Test Ride and mini Review
Been caught doing a "Ton" on a Benelli 400!! Wow !
So while my Royal Enfield Meteor was being serviced, I had the opportunity to have a “first ride” run out and thus a “mini review” on a Benelli Imperiale 400cc.
The bike was apparently designed in Italy and manufactured in China. More of a Enfield Bullet type of bike - shape and size of a Bonneville.
Some similarities to the Meteor but the pegs were higher and in the usual place rather than the slightly feet forward position on the Meteor.
The bike felt heavier but that may have been due to a higher centre of gravity than the Meteor.
All in all it felt a little less refined, in my experience on this test ride. A a bit rattly with some vibration. Performance-wise - similar to the Meteor, rather flat but they both have less than 20BHP!
My first experience of trying to find neutral ended in a stall - no problem when the engine was stopped but when running, the gear selector was “iffy”. Also gear selection - particularly between 1st and 2nd, very “notchy”.
Throttle was “snatchy” at low speed (urban driving) and took a while to return to tick-over - almost like the throttle was stuck open?
So Rattly, “iffy|, notchy and snatchy sums things up - simply less refined than some bikes including my Meteor.
Comfort-wise - not as comfortable as the Meteor - harder seat and suspension.
But “good news” - no speed limiter on the Benelli - although this is no R1, it was good that no “disrupter” cut in at 73mph and the bike was happy to accelerate on to 80mph (on private road where permissible 😉)
Anyway - an enjoyable ride out in the Wiltshire countryside and nice to find that I preferred my own bike!!
RobLittleUK
Пікірлер: 26
I have owned a Benelli 400 Emperiale since Jan 21 and the gear box is beautiful, perfectly smooth. It has torque in every gear, even in 5th at 60 or 70 it'll still pull. This bike had only 64 Miles on it, no wonder it felt no better than the Meteor 350. It take you to put on 600 to 1000 miles at least for you to appreciate the true enginer performance and torque As for the finish, well its pretty good. I have only kept mine under a bike cover over the last year and a half and there isn't one bit of rust anywhere. The paintwork is second to none. Try to get a test ride on one with a few miles on the clock to get a truer idea about this bike. I love mine.
@RobLittleuk
Жыл бұрын
Thanks for your comment !
@dinof68
Жыл бұрын
i feel exactly the same about my imperiale. I've had a test drive with a meteor before buying the imperiale, after driving both i felt the benelli was more fun to drive, it had more grit than the meteor and is why i chosen the imperiale over the meteor. Btw this is designed and produced in Pesaro, Italy but built in China, for me this still is an Italian bike in all effects.
I (obviously) own a Hayabusa and went and tested one of these I silver which complimented the bike far better. I can only say one thing... I'm getting one of these as a second bike. Its so relaxing, so torque-y, it has such a relaxing feeling... you just forget about everything and ride it... gearbox was fine, no kicks in low rpms (unless you go with 2mph in 5th which is ridiculous anyway).... If anyone told me a month ago, I would fall in love with a Chinese (made) bike, I would laugh. Now I want this ASAP. If I could state something negative, its the "sponge-like" feeling of the brakes which could use a better pump or maybe a different brake liquid with better pads could fix the feeling. Oh and the ABS is very respective to the rider and doesn't intrude unless you really force it. Amazing bike. Worth every penny!
@RobLittleuk
5 ай бұрын
Glad you can relax on the Benelli because you certainly can't on the Hayabusa.....😄
@GusHayabusa
5 ай бұрын
@@RobLittleuk 😅
love it, casually rocks up in someone's garden 🤣... I presume they are holiday cottages? Royal Enfield is head and shoulders above Benelli in the fit and finish department and they are starting to pump out a number of differing variations on the different platforms. Nice vid. I'm just saying goodbye to my V7 Guzzi, posted my goodbye video this week. all the best 🙃
@RobLittleuk
2 жыл бұрын
Some people have some neck turning up in a garden like that 😳
No speed limiter, like the Meteor has. That's a plus.
@RobLittleuk
8 ай бұрын
It is a plus but what else is available for the price?
I love the look...not too overly classic neither too cafe racer looking
An old (well, year old) video, but obviously this came up after searching for 'Benelli Imperiale'. One with 4000 miles on the clock for £2200 has come up for sale at a local dealership and I'm interested in getting it for my regular commute to work (15 miles each way .. so not far) The bike looks really nice, so are these still recommended bikes?
@RobLittleuk
Ай бұрын
Well yes actually well over a year ago but if it’s been properly looked after I’d go for it - offer less!
I own this Beauty ❤️ From India 🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳
@RobLittleuk
Жыл бұрын
😀👍
This this bike purpose discovering back roads
I might try that. Get the bikeshop to adjust my headlamp aim and let me borrow a brand new bike for the day. You ain't as daft as you look!
@RobLittleuk
2 жыл бұрын
Well there you go then!!
These Chinese Bikes are Getting Better Shame about the Gearbox & Saddle See if you Can get a Ride on a Zontes some Time they do a 350cc & Gearbox & Comfort are said to be Very Good according to other U Tubers
First thing I notice were the chemtrails...
@RobLittleuk
11 ай бұрын
?
@petermartinak2332
8 ай бұрын
Look at the sky.
@petermartinak2332
8 ай бұрын
Yes. I see it ecery day.
The bike's only got 64 or so miles on the clock and your ringing the knuts off it, I would not give you a bloody push bike to test never mind something with an engine in it!!!
@RobLittleuk
Жыл бұрын
Sssshhhhhhhhhhh