Benelli Imperiale 400 BS6: Same Price, Other Options

If Benelli’s latest retro roadster isn’t up to your taste, here a variety of other options to choose from

Benelli has launched its first BS6-compliant motorcycle in the country, the Imperiale 400. At Rs 1.99 lakh (ex-showroom), it is priced above its primary competitors, the Jawa BS6 (tops out at Rs 1,83,170) and the Royal Enfield Classic 350 BS6 (Rs 1,84,482 for the top-end variant, both ex-showroom Delhi). However, in the same price bracket as the newly launched Imperiale BS6, there is an interesting set of alternatives for every kind of rider:

KTM 250 Duke price - Rs 2,05,312

The KTM 250 Duke is one of the most poised motorcycles under the Duke range in India. It can tour on the highways effortlessly yet it isn’t as frantic as the KTM 390 Duke. The 248.8cc single-cylinder liquid-cooled engine makes 30PS and 24Nm, which is 9PS more but 5Nm less than the Imperiale BS6. 

It is also loaded with modern, premium underpinnings like WP-sourced suspension, front disc with radial caliper, 6-speed transmission with assist and slipper clutch, and a dual-channel Bosch ABS with supermoto mode. The KTM 250 Duke might be a little more expensive than the Imperiale 400, at Rs 2,05,312, but it is perfect for those who want a feature-packed naked with highway-worthy performance.

Royal Enfield Himalayan price - Rs 1,94,154 

The Royal Enfield Himalayan is one of the most sought-after motorcycles for those looking to explore the unknown without burning a hole in their wallets. It is priced at Rs 1,94,154, making it less expensive than the Benelli Imperiale BS6 by around Rs 4,800. 

It may look spartan but it packs enough to satisfy most of your adventure riding needs. The bike gets a long-travel telescopic fork (200mm travel), linked rear monoshock (180mm wheel travel), a decent 220mm ground clearance, highway-friendly 15-litre fuel tank, and 21-inch front and 17-inch rear spoke wheels shod with block pattern tyres. Its 411cc single-cylinder long-stroke air-cooled engine with oil cooler develops 24.3PS and 32Nm, making it powerful and torquier than the Benelli Imperiale BS6. The 5-speed transmission is well spaced for sustaining about 100kmph on the highways. The bike also gets a handy digital compass and an ambient temperature gauge to complement its go-anywhere demeanour. 

KTM RC200 price - Rs 2,00,864

The KTM RC200 is the sportiest motorcycle in this list. It costs Rs 2,00,864 and is apt for those who prioritise performance over anything else. The bike packs a 25PS, 19.2Nm 199.5cc single-cylinder liquid-cooled motor, paired to a 6-speed transmission. The sporty nature of the engine, coupled with the aggressive ergonomics (thanks to the clip-on handlebars and rear-set footpegs), should make corner-carving fun. 

Like the KTM 250 Duke, it gets all the modern bits like trellis frame, inverted front fork and rear monoshock from WP, radial caliper up front, and Bosch dual-channel ABS. It is also a whole 50.6kg less than the Imperiale. That should make it a lot easier to manoeuver and aid in handling as well.

Bajaj Dominar 400 price - Rs 1,94,751 

The Bajaj Dominar 400 is the most powerful road-biased tourer in this list. It is also competitively priced at Rs 1,94,751, undercutting the Benelli Imperiale BS6 by around Rs 4,200. The motorcycle gets a KTM 390 Duke-based 373.3cc single-cylinder liquid-cooled engine that’s good for 40PS and 35Nm. This motorcycle is capable of sustaining triple-digit speeds quite effortlessly. Adding to this, the relaxed ergonomics should make it a potent highway mile-muncher. 

The motorcycle is also loaded with top-notch features such as multifunction split-type digital instrument cluster with range and mileage indicator, all-LED lighting system, slipper clutch, illuminated switchgear, and dual-channel ABS. All in all, for those interested in touring, particularly on the highways, this is the motorcycle to go for.

All prices ex-showroom Delhi.