A brief history of Benelli motorcycles
Benelli was established by Teresa Benelli in Pesaro, Italy, in 1911 and is one of the oldest Italian motorcycle manufacturers. After losing her husband, Teresa wanted to ensure a stable future for her six sons, so invested all the family’s money into the business.
The Benelli Garage initially repaired bicycles and motorcycles but was also able to produce the spare parts required for these repairs. In 1920, the company built its first complete engine, which was a single-cylinder two-stroke 75cc machine adapted to fit the frame of a bicycle. A year later in 1921, Benelli built its first 98cc motorcycle.
In 1923, one of the sons, Antonio or “Tonino the terrible", took to the track aboard a racing version of this motorcycle. He was extremely successful over the years, winning four Italian championships in five seasons on a Benelli 175. Unfortunately however, an on-track accident during 1932 ended Tonino’s racing career and he died in 1937 after a road accident.
Shortly after this, Benelli introduced a four-cylinder supercharged 250cc racing bike. However, after the start of World War II, the manufacturer was restricted to competing in the domestic races and ceased motorcycle production until 1949. By 1951, Benelli was producing a range of lightweight motorcycles from 98 to 500cc as the need for cheap transportation in post-war Italy grew.
In 1962, Benelli acquired Motobi, a company founded by one of Benelli’s other sons, Giuseppe, in 1949. The combined company produced up to 300 motorcycles a day but its success couldn’t avoid the threat from Japanese motorcycle manufacturers. Despite continued innovations in the motorcycle sector, Benelli began losing market share, which led to another break in production until 1989.
It wasn’t until 1995 that revival of the brand became a reality. With Andrea Merloni at the helm, the company launched the renowned Tornado 900 Tre Supersport bike in 2002 along with the TNT roadster.
Benelli’s range of motorcycles
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Benelli’s motorcycle range for the road is extensive, with everything from the super-stylish Benelli TNT 1130 and 899 models, to the muscle-bound naked TNT R160. In addition, the line-up includes Café Racer-inspired models, such as the TNT 1130 Café Racer, the TNT 1130K street fighter and the powerful, race-inspired Tornado Tre.
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With aggressive styling and exceptional performance and agility, the BX449 Cross and BX 505 Enduro bikes are Benelli’s answer to the off-road market.
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Benelli’s range of scooters is cool and stylish – from the wide use of chrome of the Pepe 50 and Pepe 50LX, to the race-inspired Velvet 125 and nippy 49X.
Please visit www.benelli.co.uk for more information about Benelli’s range of motorcycles and scooters.
How Bennetts provides motorcycle insurance for Benelli owners
We're a motorcycle insurance specialist and we work closely with a panel of our insurers to provide you with a quote for your requirements.
All our motorcycle insurance policies come with a number of benefits including cover to ride other motorcycles and 90-day European Union insurance – meaning that you can ride your Benelli bike anywhere in the EU with the peace of mind that you’ll be covered in the event of an accident. In addition, we can provide RAC Breakdown cover and helmet and leathers insurance to ensure that you’re not left out of pocket if the worst does happen.
How to get a quote for your Benelli motorcycle
Getting a Benelli motorcycle insurance quote is easier than you may think. We search our panel of insurers to find you our best price for the cover you need.
Simply complete our online form or contact our dedicated customer service team by visiting our Contact Us page.
Sources of interest for Benelli motorcycle owners and fans
Benelli's official website – information about the brand, latest news, information about the manufacturer’s technology and R&D facilities and fun downloads. There is also a used bikes section – which is currently under construction.
Independent Enthusiasts Club – this site is home to an independent enthusiasts club, which caters for the needs of Benelli and Motobi motorcycle owners.
