Benelli BJ600GS

[998S]

Did some riding and maintenance on my friend's Benelli the last week, and topped it off with a fast, one day trip to Moganshan and back yesterday. Was in the company of some liter+ bikes (Suzuki SV1000, Ducati 1100 Monster, Ducati MultiStrada), so it was hard working for the little Chinese Italian.

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As I never really read a review on the Benelli, here my thought on the bike with a year of experience:

Overall:I like the workmanship.
As mentioned plenty of times, this bike is built according western standards. Material such as plastics, hardware, paint and powdercoat are very acceptable, and should not be a give-away this is a 'Chinese' bike.
Start tearing her apart, and you will find everything is nicely located, all fitted with plastic washers underneath, really nothing to complain about.

The bike had a small electric issue (tail light electrical circuit was missing power - traced back to a sticky contact from being parked in a very wet garage for most of time) so I went through the electric.
Also there all nicely protected, logically arranged. The way the relays are fitted can be an example for many other bikes.

Riding:
Was in the saddle for 2x 3 hours, and not a problem.
Although considered small by some, I feel perfect on it. Might be as I am not the tallest myself (1.78m).
The little fairing splits some of the wind, and up to ~130km/hr it is very doable in an upright position.

Geometry is set to stable, but not slow, never noticed nervousness.
Together with the upright riding position and the wide bar, corners are heaven.
Pretty fast from left to right lean.
For speeds >160km/hr, you need to be relaxed on the handlebar to prevent waving (but that is not the bike, but the rider).

Spirited riding is a dream, and it should do very well on a track like Tianma.
Keep it above 6.500 rpm, and it goes like stink. Driving up to Moganshan was heaven.


Engine:
Not comparable to a Japanese 600cc screamer, but powerful enough.
Reminded me a lot to my 1980's Kawasaki Z500, it needs some revs, but then it goes.
Surprisingly, even in 6th gear, there is enough punch for Chinese acceleration in normal traffic, I could actually ride it pretty lazy.
Temperature control seems ok, never had an issue so far. Fan kicks in ~92 degree, never saw it higher then 99 degree.

Gearbox:
Short geared, fitting the engine characteristics.
For someone like me, coming from large capacities V-2's, it needs a bit of getting accustom to, but once you set yourself in the habit of poking around in the gearbox, all goes well.
Shifts were a bit sticky in the beginning, but the spirited riding of yesterday obviously did the bike good, shifted super smooth during the day.

Sound:
Standard exhaust system sucks.
It sound ok in the garage, but not while riding the bike, or being behind one.
It deserves better.
Luckily, there are some nice after market systems available.

Good:
- Riding characteristics
- Workmanship
- Powdercoating
- Electrics (and that for an Italian bike made in China...)
- Hardware (bolts etc)
- Riding position
- Bike is fairing much better then some other bikes parked in the same humid, almost aggressive environment of the parking garage. Slight corrosion on some bolts, nothing much else.

Medium:
- Suspension
- Paint
- Power and torque (for a L-4)
- Sound
- Fuel consumption (all in the right hand)

Bad:
- Don't really trust the OEM tires
- Weight (far too heavy for a 600)