Re: Tourer + Daily commuter: Honda CBR250R or Benelli TNT 300

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Re: Tourer + Daily commuter: Honda CBR250R or Benelli TNT 300

The Bennelli has the looks and 10 kmph higher top speed. You really will feel the premium aura around the Benelli 300 because they charge too much, so anybody with good financial sense would avoid one. So fewer customers.

The CBR has the advantage of more service centres, and much cheaper parts.

The service interval of the cbr250 is 6000 kms, and you can use normal fuel in the bike. Labour charge is around ₹400 for the Honda.

Coming to smoothness at high rpms, the CBR is an absolute joy to ride at 120-150 kmph. The bike feels securely planted, and the crosswinds won't affect you as much as on a smaller bike.

Now for commuting, the CBR 250 is way better. Break a mirror? ₹460. Dropped the bike and bent the handlebar? ₹850.

Clutch lever snapped? ₹140. Or use a local make for ₹65.

Ask around for the price of Bennelli parts, and you will get a sour taste in your mouth. The premium word sounds funny when you read the Bennelli 300 thread.

And remember, 3-4 years down the road, you will get bored of the bike, premium or not. So whats the point of spending ₹4 lakh for a 160 kmph Chinese made bike, when you get a 150 kmph Indian made bike with similar quality for 1.8 or 2.2 with ABS.


Also consider the Yamaha r3. It's ~3.8L, looks better than Bennelli 300, and got better top end too.

Re: Tourer + Daily commuter: Honda CBR250R or Benelli TNT 300

I wonder why you didn't consider KTM Duke 390 after the updates it has got. CBR is old junk no offense but the company is least interested in giving updates in India

Re: Tourer + Daily commuter: Honda CBR250R or Benelli TNT 300

[MENTION=87095]hd_hardikdesai[/MENTION] : if you had actually read the requirements of OP, you wouldn't have to wonder at all.
Did you missed the part where he said he needs a pillion friendly, smooth bike?

OP: I can't comment on bn300 but from what i have read, it's heavy on pocket. For your needs cbr250r abs makes a lot more sense. It's perfect tourer, never heats up in traffic, has comfortable seats for rider and pillion, smooth engine and ABS is an added plus.

Re: Tourer + Daily commuter: Honda CBR250R or Benelli TNT 300

Haha. Honda is making a Bonda out of us, that's true. But KTMs with all the improvements still piss oil whenever they see a CBR on road. Every week some guy complains of engine oil leak or air filter box crack or coolant having intercourse with engine oil leading to interracial fluid mingling.

The old owners are fed up of repeating over and over again about these issues and their solutions to every new KTM owner about their brand new vehicle.

Re: Tourer + Daily commuter: Honda CBR250R or Benelli TNT 300

You cannot get a perfect bike, every bike has its own flaws and considerating it's VFM few things can be ignored. And the new KTM 2017 the vibration will go down hopefully. With slipper clutch,ride by wire,abs,TFT display and endless new things I am just asking him to have a look.

Re: Tourer + Daily commuter: Honda CBR250R or Benelli TNT 300

Hardik, can we ignore coolant getting into engine? Engine oil leak on a 2 day old bike?

Just imagine, this guy tours on a brand new d390 and then finds out it is leaking oil, and the nearest svc is 100 kms away. You think a slipper clutch can help then?
What about ride by wire?

Imagine He commutes in a D390 60 kms a day and not only has to put up with extra heat and the gearing, he would spend ₹500 extra on petrol every month compared to the CBR.

Re: Tourer + Daily commuter: Honda CBR250R or Benelli TNT 300

I haven't ridden a benelli yet but my experience with cbr 250 is awesome. I have seen seasoned riders cruising through Gurgaon Jaipur traffic at 120+ kmph. It felt rooted to tarmac.

Re: Tourer + Daily commuter: Honda CBR250R or Benelli TNT 300

I dont know why people still rant about the bike being made in China. Its not low on quality compared to any bike present in India.

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To answer for the TS dilema,

CBR250 is a better bet than the Benelli. I have ridden a bigger Benelli, so I very know what are the set backs. CBR has ABS, low maitenance, easy availability of spares, not so expensive to maintain.

Benelli on the other hand, it a money looter in terms of service. Parts aint cheap, takes loads of time to get replacement. Dont just go for the sound it makes. Think about your long term maintenance costs too.

Re: Tourer + Daily commuter: Honda CBR250R or Benelli TNT 300

That's why I said similar. And the name Bennelli implies Italian, the company used that branding instead of keeway in India. The marketing ploy has worked, you see customers referring to their "Italian Beauty" as if Elisabetta Canalis personally smooched each bike off the production plant.

Most customers would explain why they bought a Bennelli to a friend like this : " It's an Italian bike, bro. Premium. Not your regular Japs."

How many people would say " Hey, it's a Chinese bike, designed by Bennelli also known as Keeway." That would take off the Sheen wouldn't it?

Re: Tourer + Daily commuter: Honda CBR250R or Benelli TNT 300

I found the KTM Duke 390 very difficult to ride in low speeds in city, frequent downshift to 1st gear and slipper clutch version deliveries yet to start (dealer did not comment on any specific date)

Re: Tourer + Daily commuter: Honda CBR250R or Benelli TNT 300

Not every bike has that problem, and don't forget the orange assistance for breakdown issues. Gearing could have been better I agree, coming back to CBR 8 years old engine + my friend had A very tough time with his CBR. Again all bikes has its flaws.

Re: Tourer + Daily commuter: Honda CBR250R or Benelli TNT 300

Well, let's know what's the problems he faced. I love reading. [emoji6]

Re: Tourer + Daily commuter: Honda CBR250R or Benelli TNT 300

Hahaha let's stick to the topic and see what the OP will buy😂