Motorcycle specifications Benelli752 S 2020 Binge entry

When Benelli was still Italian, we eagerly awaited a certain promising 750 DUE. But it never came. Now, almost 10 years later, the medium-displacement roadster is making a comeback - but with a new name, a new shape and, this time, a real guarantee of series production. Called the 752 S, the machine is targeting a massive, unavoidable and highly competitive market. The design is there, but will it be enough?

It's finally here. As usual, Benelli has taken a long time between presenting a model and bringing it to market.
But the 752 S makes a pleasant debut. With its lean, taut look, plumb front end, teardrop-shaped oval headlight, heavy front braking and trellis frame, the Italian school is at work here. So much so that, depending on how you look at it, you might think you're looking at an MV-Agusta Brutale or a Ducati Monster.

Copying seems to be the order of the day for the Sino-Italian firm. If that's what it takes to build up a range... that strives to please the many desires of the market (TRK, Impériale, 402S,...). With the 752 S, Benelli joins the MT-07, 797 Monster, Z 650 and other troublemakers in the segment. So, how to appeal to the multitude of bikers eager for agility, fun and colorful roads?

With its eye-catching looks and promising engine. The 4-cylinder placidity of the BN 600 is out of the question. In its place comes a 754 cm3 parallel twin. Announced on the prototype as producing 81.6 hp, this engine is actually rated at 76 hp on the production model. As a result, this powertrain faces its rivals head-on and at the same level. The 6.8 mkg of torque is also of the same calibre. This ensures a healthy dose of vitality without excessive overrun. However, in pure numbers, performance is average. A 750 Shiver of yesteryear sent out 95 drunks with the same cubage and as many pistons.

The 752 S has other veins, like its beefy 50 mm inverted fork (alas, without adjustment). Brakes, too, are of a high caliber, with 320-mm tracks and 4-piston radial calipers - and Brembo, please. Clearly overkill for this size, but certainly enough to flatter the owner. A roadster in this category generally weighs under 200 kilos; the Benelli comes in at 226 kilos. That's a lot.

Frame and swingarm are made of steel tubing. The exhaust system looks rather dull. Fortunately, it makes up for it with a MotoGP-style raised muffler. A color TFT instrument panel keeps the rider informed, while the passenger is anchored to a short seat but benefits from real grab handles. A nice touch is the remote plate mount, as on the MT-09 and 800 Brutale / Dragster. Nice intricate work on the headlight. More messy, however, is the integration of the electrical wiring.

This could be Benelli's best weapon in the market. This 752S roadster is pleasing to the eye, well-mannered and displays real ambition. It's all going to come down to the verve of its engine and its dynamic behavior. If both are up to scratch, the Italian could prove a credible alternative. The price tag could have been tighter, to forgive a faux pas that would make joining the club so complicated.

M.B - Manufacturer's photos