Royal Enfield 650cc Cruiser Rival, Benda LFC700 To Drop On July 1

While the displacement is similar to the upcoming RE cruiser, this Chinese bike has two extra cylinders

• The LFC700 employs a 680cc inline four-cylinder motor that makes 97PS.
• It will get LED lighting, ABS, and hill start assist.
• The massive 310-section rear tyre seen on the concept will make its way to the production model. 

About nine months ago, Benda showcased its LF-01 cruiser concept bike at the Asian Motor Show, making headlines in leading Asian countries, including ours. Now, the bikemaker is all set to unveil its production version, the LFC700. The event will take place on July 1, 2021, in Xi’an, China.

Unlike the usual Chinese offerings, this one isn’t a rip-off, in fact, it has plenty going for it. For instance, its design language is a perfect blend of edgy and futuristic elements. Bits such as the brawny tank shrouds, round headlamp (probably LED), and metallic fork covers add to its aesthetic appeal. We’re particularly fond of the jet engine-inspired headlamp that gets small gaps serving as the RAM air intake.

Even the seat follows the bike’s fluid design language. It is low, scooped, and seems roomy for the rider. Not so much for the pillion, though. This, coupled with the swept handlebar and the front-set footpegs, should make the LFC a mile-muncher. That said, we think the production version could feature footboards, instead of the pegs.

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As the suffix suggests, the LFC700 is a mid-capacity cruiser. It is powered by a 680cc inline-four motor that puts out 97.2PS, making it pretty powerful! It offers a claimed top speed of about 180kmph. The engine is housed in a twin-spar frame and an all-aluminium body, thus limiting its weight to just 215kg. As for underpinnings, we can clearly see a USD fork at the front while a monoshock should be present under the bodywork at the rear. The production bike will come with a 310-section rear tyre as an option, making it the fattest rear tyre on any production bike.

Lastly, let’s talk about the features on offer. The concept model showcased earlier had a fairly long feature list, including a TFT display, ride-by-wire, slipper clutch, ABS, cruise control, and hill start assist. The production variant, though, could miss out on cruise control and ride-by-wire. Nevertheless, it will still be a feature-rich mid-capacity offering, especially against the entry-level Harley-Davidsons or Indians.

So, how much will all of this cost you? Well, we’ll have to wait till July 1 for the prices but some sources suggest the LFC700 could retail somewhere between 40,000 and 50,000 Yuan (Rs 4.58 lakh-5.75 lakh), making it a stupendous value for money offering. While its India launch is a far-fetched dream, we hope Benda brings it to our shores someday. It would definitely sell like hot cakes here, especially at such an impressive price tag!