Benelli has thrown the covers off a touring version of the Benelli 302R sports
bike in China. Priced at 35,800 yuan, the 302 Tourer takes the same
chassis as the 302R and adds a bigger fairing and taller windscreen.
Also shown is a set of hard cases – two panniers and
a top box – which we presumes makes the 302 a tourer. Inside the fairing is a
large projector headlamp, along with turn signals. Crash bars are mounted on
the sides of the engine cases and taller handlebars are fitted for a more
relaxed riding position.
Inside the engine room is found the same 300 cc,
parallel-twin power plant as the 302R, with liquid-cooling, DOHC, eight-valves
and fed by EFI. Benelli claims the mill puts out 35 hp at 12,000 rpm and 27 Nm
peak torque at 9,000 rpm, with power getting to the ground via a six-speed
gearbox.
Suspension for the 302 Tourer is with 41 mm diameter
upside-down forks, and braking with twin disc brakes clamped by four-piston
callipers. Out back there is a monoshock, adjustable for pre-load, and a single
disc brake clamped by a two-piston calliper.
Weight for the 302 Tourer was something
of a surprise, with the machine coming in at 216 kgs. By comparison, the
recently launched Triumph Tiger 800 XR, without luggage, only weighs 201 kg,
though it does cost about three times more.
