Moto Benelli (and sister company MotoBi) built average "run of the mill" motorcycles...
...unless they felt they really wanted to surprise !
They built beautiful machines before WW2
and very interesting bikes in the 1950's and '60s, such as the OHV horizontal single in 125, 175 and 250cc. During the '70s they were noted for a screamer 2stroke twin in 125 and 250cc versions
_
They competed in the "Big Bike" category, too, initially with the british-looking 650 Tornado
then by copying Honda's CB_Four series with the 500cc, then with the 350/400 which, while characterized by better brakes, chassis and suspension, were just as expensive and had poorer quality control compared to their japanese counterparts.
The 750 /900 SEI and the "654" were the Swan's Song of Benelli.
One of the rarest bikes is the 250 Quattro, aka the "254", with a tiny 250cc four that would rev to 11.000 rpm (in the 1970's, that was awesome!)
(please note, in the background, a light blue MotoGuzzi, that was the 500cc V50 Monza, just like the one I had some 20 years ago!
)
These days, Benelli have returned with the "Tornado TRE", a vicious, albeit difficult to master, racing triple in "Triumph Speed" style
They also make... designer electric bicycles...
for the discriminating lazy green city slicker !
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