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Message: [QUOTE="olderndirtmom, post: 1209960, member: 77254"] Perhaps you underestimate yourself. Or perhaps I underestimate the general apathy of people willing to look things up for themselves. Or perhaps I'm just a crabby old woman. :rotfl: Two weeks of being trapped with the computer as your only diversion to cranky kids suffering from enteroviruses (103 degree fever, headaches, etc.if you must know) have clearly clouded my judgement. Mea culpa. but... for the naturally curious...===> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ hmmm... I wonder what this button does? [B][url]http://members.chello.nl/e.salomons2/links.htm[/url][/B] ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ MUCH ADO ABOUT BENELLI :blah: :blah: :blah: 19 October 2006 - by Alastair Walker - Inside Bikes - insidebikes.com There have been rumours in the bike industry for the last few months that [B]Italian based manufacturer Benelli [/B]were planning to launch up to seven new models/concept bikes at Intermot. In reality, it was a mere four, but the bikes demonstrate a serious intention from the [B]Chinese owned Italian company[/B], which hints at an expanded range of machinery to come in the next two or three years and volume production, in all market segments. The flagship TRE-K roadster is based on the existing TnT 1130 machine, but the exciting thing to see are new concepts like the Due 750 twin and the 500cc Supermoto/MX machine that Benelli had at Intermot. But the real make or break model was the 49cc scooter on show, as you might expect from a Chinese owned motorbike company. Make or break, surely I am joking? Nope, the fact is that Benelli needs to have its name on the side of Chinese made 50cc-125cc scooters, assembled in kit form within the EU, in order to fund the volume sales necessary to make exciting road bikes. Volume sales can build a quality dealer network, a reputation for spares back-up, value-for-money and more. The 500cc twin cylinder Supermoto/Motocrosser machine might well prove a strong seller in the EU as well. The mid-sized sectors of the market are set to expand, as big bikes become expensive liabilities for amny riders. You see bikers are likely to be forced by safety pestering governments to ride smaller, slower bikes in the next five years - whether they like it or not - and the two classes which will show strong growth will be the 500-600cc retro/scrambler twins and 750cc-800cc roadster/sportsters. Machines like the BMW F800S, Z750S, Triumph Scrambler 900 and the Benelli Due 750 all offer simple, weekend fun, ditto a 500cc twin cylinder Supermoto/enduro/MX style bike. The same 500cc engine chassis could be converted into a pocket sized sports-tourer, a cafe racer, or maxi scooter at a push too - such versatility in engineering formats is the key to survival for all motorcycle manufacturers. It's very unlikely that any company will be able to make more than four basic motorcycle engine/chassis packages within a decade. The Chinese will see to that - because they will control 60% of the world's two wheel market, which will be sub 250cc scooters/commuters. But the Chinese have ambitions to make big bikes too, after all, they already make plenty of parts for Harley-Davidsons, Hondas or Triumphs, so there's no reason why they cannot aspire to make - or even own - those famous marques one day. The refreshing thing is that the Chinese owners of Benelli have ambition enough to keepc on making unique, individual motorcycles, not just mass market scooters. You have to admire that determination to succeed at every level. It will make Benelli a force to be reckoned with sooner, rather than later. _________________ That you for making Total Motorcycle your virtual motorcycle riding destination! Thank you for being a part of the friendly and ever growing Total Motorcycle community!! Total Motorcycle Rocks! Back to top View user's profile Send private message Visit poster's website ICQ Number ~~~~~~~~~ Want a phonetic translation of Qianjiang? Cheeun-jung. (That's a lota help, I'm sure.) And it means hidden river. Or so I'm told. ;) [/QUOTE]

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