The 2017 Benelli
Patagonian Eagle 250 was seen on display. While outwardly resembling a Keeway Dorado 250, this machine
carries a parallel-twin instead of the Dorado’s V-twin, despite carrying a
Keeway 250 badge on the side panels.
This quarter-litre cruiser is a prototype for
testing on Malaysian roads, and is currently installed with twin carburettors.
However, we were informed by an MForce Holdings – Malaysian distributor and
assembler for the Benelli, Keeway, SYM and SM Force brands – representative
that the final local market model will have EFI.
Scheduled to enter the market before the end of this
year, the Patagonian Eagle carries a liquid-cooled, 249 cc, four-valve twin
that produces a claimed 17.4 hp at 8,000 rpm and 16.5 Nm of torque at 6,000
rpm. A five-speed gearbox and chain final drive gets power to the ground, via a
15-inch rear wheel.
At the front is an 18-inch wheel with a single 260
mm diameter disc for braking. Suspension on the Eagle is conventional,
telescopic forks with 120 mm of travel in front, and dual shock absorbers in
the rear, where a drum brake does braking duties.
Seat height on the Patagonian Eagle is a very
typical cruiser 695 mm, low to the ground and rider-friendly, while dry weight
is claimed to be 145 kg. There are two colour options for the 2017 Benelli
Patagonian Eagle – matte black and matte red.
