Benelli’s parent company Qianjiang introduced the BJ 1200J whose design patent had leaked in 2016, in the form of, Qianjiang QJ1200-3 a civilian version of the Benelli BJ 1200J police motorcycle, that is expected to compete with the CFMoto CF1250 in the Chinese market.
Now latest images circulating on the internet reveal that the Chinese-owned brand is likely to introduce the civilian version of the Benelli BJ 1200J, a police motorcycle, dubbed Benelli BJ 1200 GT. Pictures reveal that the large touring motorcycle is likely to be launched in the international market to be sold under the Benelli brand name. While speculations are that the Qianjiang could sell the bike in China under the new ‘QJ Motor’ branding which has been formed to primarily deal in the large category motorcycles.
In the engine department, the Benelli BJ 1200 GT is likely to be powered by the brand’s old 1130 triple engine, that used to power the Benelli Tre, TreK and Tornado but slightly smaller 1209cc, three-cylinder engine which churns out 134 HP of power. New pictures also reveal that the brand has chucked the shaft final drive that was seen in the 2016 design patents for a more conventional chain final drive, which is likely to upset touring purists who prefer the heavy, expensive but low maintenance shaft drive.
New pictures also reveal that the Benelli BJ 1200 GT comes with the design and styling of a modern-day touring machine similar to German touring motorcycles with a large wide headlamp, tall electrically adjustable windscreen, powered wing mirrors that extend and retract automatically, large aerodynamic fairing, upside-down front forks, dual disc brakes on the front wheel, large semi step-up seats and luggage panniers. The Benelli BJ 1200J also gets keyless ignition, an analogue-digital instruments console likely to have borrowed its design inspiration from a particular Japanese brand that makes large touring motorcycles and is likely to feature Bluetooth connectivity, tyre pressure monitoring system and cruise control.
The Benelli BJ 1200 GT is expected to hit showrooms by 2021 in the Chinese and European markets.
