Benelli Imperiale 400

Detailed Review by Maxabout Team

Overview

The Imperiale 400 is a Benelli with a classic flavour. The Imperiale 400 is a reimagining of the historic Benelli-MotoBi range from the 1950s. With its retro-classic charm and relaxed ergonomics, the Imperiale 400 allows you to relax and enjoy the ride, while the engine produces power in a linear and refined manner. Break those stereotypes and live your freedom as the Imperiale redefines your path and allows your passion to leave its imprint on its memories.

We Indians have always been fascinated by the concept of modern-classic motorcycles. It is clear from the success of the Royal Enfield Classic 350 over the years, as well as the revival of Jawa Motorcycles. As a result of the allure of the segment, Benelli launched the Imperiale 400 in India last year. In BS4 form, the motorcycle became one of the best-selling Benellis in India. It was then unquestionably launched as Benelli's first BS6 offering in the country earlier this year.

Benelli Imperiale 400 Design and Style

The new Benelli Imperiale 400 may not be to everyone's taste, but it is a good-looking retro motorcycle in person. The Imperiale 400 gets a round-shaped halogen headlamp with subtle chrome accents all around it upfront. The rear view mirrors are also chrome-embellished, as are the chrome surrounds around the turn indicators. Moving to the side profile, one can see how long this motorcycle is. The Imperiale 400 is a long motorcycle, but it does not appear disproportionate. The fuel tank of the motorcycle is painted in a single colour. The blacked-out elements, on the other hand, add a contrasting appeal to this retro cruiser.

2023 Benelli Imperiale 400 features split seats and subtle chrome accents on the body and exhaust muffler. The motorcycle has a round tail lamp and round turn indicators at the back. The updated Benelli Imperiale 400 BS6 is available in three colour options. The new Benelli Imperiale 400 BS6 is a classic Italian beauty. While it lacks some modern-day gimmicks that would have made it even better, such as an LED headlamp or LED DRLs, it is a true retro-classic machine.

The new Benelli Imperiale 400 has a length of 2170 mm, a width of 820 mm, and a height of 1120 mm. The 1440 mm wheelbase of this retro motorcycle makes it one of the longest in its class. That contributes to the motorcycle's high stability on the highways, but it becomes quite problematic when making U-turns because it takes up a lot of space. The Imperiale 400 is also quite heavy, weighing 205 kgs and having a fuel tank capacity of 12 litres. It has a seat height of only 780 mm, so even short riders can ride it comfortably. The Benelli Imperiale 400 has a 165 mm ground clearance, so be cautious on high-speed breakers.

Benelli Imperiale 400 Engine and Gearbox

2023 Benelli Imperiale 400 is powered by a 374cc, single-cylinder, air-cooled, fuel-injected engine that meets BS6 standards. At 6000 RPM, this BS6 motor produces 21 HP of maximum power and 29 Nm of peak torque. The engine is paired with a 5-speed manual transmission equipped with a Multi Disk wet clutch system. The Imperiale 400 has more power and torque than the Royal Enfield Classic 350. The Imperiale 400 feels faster in real-world performance than the Classic 350. This new retro classic motorcycle has a good low-end, mid-range, and top-end performance.

The All-new Benelli Imperiale 400 is a large motorcycle that can easily reach triple-digit speeds. However, it feels most comfortable and effortless to ride at highway speeds ranging from 70 to 90 km/h. The engine of the Benelli Imperiale 400 is very refined and very fuel-efficient, and one can hardly feel any vibrations while riding at lower RPMs. Only when you completely twist the throttle does the motorcycle begin to vibrate.

Benelli Imperiale 400 Suspension, Brakes and Tyres

2023 Benelli Imperiale 400 is built on a steel tube and plate double cradle. The motorcycle's suspension is handled by 41mm telescopic forks in the front and preload-adjustable gas-charged shock absorbers in the rear. The Benelli Imperiale 400 has a smooth ride. The suspension is soft, and it feels comfortable even on rough patches of road. A 300mm disc brake at the front and a 240mm disc brake at the rear handle braking duties on the motorcycle. As an added safety feature, the new Benelli Imperiale 400 comes standard with dual-channel ABS. The Benelli Imperiale 400 is equipped with 19-inch front and 18-inch rear tyres. The motorcycle's front tyre is a 100/90 section 19-inch unit, while the rear tyre is a 130/80 section 18-inch unit. It has spoke wheels, so the tyres aren't tubeless.

Instrument Console of Benelli Imperiale 400

Latest Model of Benelli Imperiale 400 features an analogue instrument cluster with a MID (multi-information display) in the middle that displays a wealth of information, including a gear position indicator. The Benelli Imperiale 400 is the only motorcycle in its class with an analogue tachometer.

Key Features of Benelli Imperiale 400

The BS6-compliant Imperiale 400, like the BS4 version, maintains its retro aesthetic while lacking in features. So you get a standard headlamp, tail lamp, turn signal lighting, dual-channel ABS, a hazard lamp, and a twin-pod instrument cluster.

Top Speed and Mileage of Benelli Imperiale 400

The top speed of the new Benelli Imperiale 400 is 120 km/h, and the retro bike gets around 30 to 40 km/l of mileage in real-world riding conditions, which is quite good. The 400cc cruiser motorcycle can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in approximately 14 seconds.

Benelli Imperiale 400 Colour Options

Benelli offers the new Imperiale 400 in three colour options: Red, Silver and Black.

Benelli Imperiale 400 Competitors

BMW R NineT Scrambler, Honda H’ness CB350, Honda CB350 RS, JAWA Forty-Two, JAWA Perak, Kawasaki Z650 RS, Royal Enfield Bullet 350, Royal Enfield Hunter 350, Royal Enfield Meteor 350, and 2021 Royal Enfield Classic 350 are the top competitors for the new Benelli Imperiale 400.

Conclusion

To cut to the chase, the BS6 update for the new Benelli Imperiale 400 hasn't changed much other than making it slightly more refined. The Imperiale 400 is still more expensive than the dual-channel ABS variants of the Royal Enfield Classic 350 and Jawa. The extra money for the Imperiale 400 gets you a well-built motorcycle with an engaging ride experience. And a beautiful sounding exhaust notes that fully justify its modern-classic charm, with the exception of flaws such as the stiff suspension and lacklustre braking feel.