Benelli 302R launch in January 2017

Launch postponed to January 2017 following delays in the homologation process

It seems like Benelli will have to wait a bit longer before introducing its first fully-faired offering in India. The Benelli 302R was scheduled to be launched this month, but a delay in the homologation process has forced them to reschedule the launch. We have already ridden the pre-production version of the Benelli 302R.

In terms of design, the Benelli 302R looks larger than its displacement suggests, especially from certain angles. Up front it gets a wide and aggressive stance thanks to the u-shaped headlight with Daytime Running Lights. Adding to the overall appeal is the fairing and the exposed tubular steel frame. The rear-end look sleeker than the front which makes it look somewhat disproportionate.

Hiding behind the fairing is the same motor that does duty on the naked TNT 300. While Benelli hasn’t revealed the official power and torque figures as yet, they say it will be marginally lesser than the naked sibling. The TNT 300 makes about 37 horses and max torque of 26.5Nm from a parallel-twin that displaces 300cc. Just like the TNT 300, the 302R too will come mated to a 6-speed transmission, the ratios however will be altered.

On its launch, the Benelli 302R will compete against the likes of the Kawasaki Ninja 300 and Yamaha YZF-R3. For the Italian bike maker to make an impact in the entry-level performance segment, they will have to undercut its rivals. Aside from the 302R, Benelli has 5 other new products in the pipeline for 2017.