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Benelli launches the 1200 GT, its largest touring motorcycle to date

Chinese motorcycle manufacturers are clearly getting bigger.


Benelli 1200 GT

In the recent China International Motorcycle Exhibition (CIMA) held this week, motorcycle manufacturers are taking this event as an opportunity to showcase their latest releases of motorcycle offerings. Just yesterday, we reported CFMoto’s unveiling of its latest 1,279 cc powered mile-munching touring machine, the 1250TR-G. Clearly, the Chinese brands are surpassing the 1,000 cc mark with its next-generation motorcycle offerings. Today, we present to you Benelli’s response with its very own 1,200 cc touring motorcycle, the 1200 GT.

Benelli 1200 GT

Also revealed at the recent CIMA show in China, the Benelli 1200 GT was made for touring comfort with affordability in mind, rather than hair-raising performance. However, despite the lack of pull, the 1200 GT is still capable of reaching speeds of more than 228 km/h on open roads, which is more than enough for highway journeys. 

Benelli 1200 GT

The Benelli 1200 GT is powered by a 1,209 cc liquid-cooled triple engine capable of churning out 134 hp and 120 Nm of peak torque. It can easily be pitted against BMW’s R 1250 RT but in a much more affordable package. It features a dashboard that combines an analog RPM gauge and speedometer together with a digital TFT display. Yet, the ensemble looks a little more dated compared to its contemporaries with a very 90s feel. 

Benelli 1200 GT

However, Benelli didn’t scrimp on its other creature comforts featuring an all-LED lighting system for the front and rear, premium Brembo brakes with ABS, pus-button start, upside-down forks, electronically-adjustable side mirrors, and a pair of front and back cameras to possibly aid the driver in accident avoidance, much like the camera systems found in Volvo Cars. It should be remembered that Benelli’s parent company, Qianjang Motors is also wholly owned by Geely, who in turn now also owns the Volvo brand. 

Clearly, with the partnerships forged by Chinese motorcycle manufacturers with big-name brands from the west, they’ve been benefiting from the investments they made in research and development and manufacturing methods allowing them to easily break the 1,200 cc barrier for motorcycles. While official pricing for the Benelli 1200 GT is yet to be officially announced, it is still expected to made available to the rest of the Asian market by early 2021. 


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