Benelli Imperiale 400

Engine and gearbox

The Benelli Imperiale 400 is a classic-style motorcycle powered by a 374cc single-cylinder, four-stroke engine with two valves, a single overhead camshaft, air cooling and fuel injection. Benelli quotes 15.5 kW (about 20.8 hp) at 5,500 rpm and 29 Nm at 4,500 rpm. The long-stroke design, with a 72.7 mm bore and 90 mm stroke, and a low 8.5:1 compression ratio point to relaxed, low-rpm pulling power rather than outright speed. It uses a five-speed gearbox, a wet multi-plate clutch and chain drive, with electric starting. Top speed is quoted at 120 km/h.

Size and practicality

The Imperiale is 2,170 mm long, 820 mm wide and 1,120 mm tall, with a 1,440 mm wheelbase. Its 780 mm seat is among the lowest in Benelli’s Pakistan line-up, which helps shorter riders, and ground clearance is 165 mm. Kerb weight is 197 kg and maximum load is 190 kg. The fuel tank holds 12 litres. Benelli’s official consumption figure is 3.1 litres per 100 km, which works out to about 32 km per litre; real-world economy in Pakistani traffic may differ.

Chassis and equipment

True to its retro looks, the Imperiale uses a double-cradle frame, spoked wheels, telescopic front forks with 121 mm of travel and twin rear shock absorbers with 55.5 mm of travel. Tyres are 100/90-19 at the front and 130/80-18 at the rear, and braking is by a 300 mm front disc and a 240 mm rear disc. ABS is not mentioned on the official Pakistan page. Colours listed are Black and Red.

Warranty

Benelli’s Pakistan website does not publish warranty terms for the Imperiale 400. Ask the dealer about warranty coverage and stock availability, as at least one dealer listed this model as out of stock.

Which version to buy

There is one version, at Rs 1,585,000 ex-factory. In our opinion, the Imperiale 400 is for riders who value classic styling, a low seat and a relaxed riding character over speed. Among the Benelli models for which an official consumption figure is published, it is the most economical, and its 19-inch front wheel should cope well with rough roads. On the other hand, it is heavy for its power, has only five gears, and lacks the modern features of the 302S at a similar price. Buyers wanting a retro bike with much more performance should consider the Leoncino 500.