The Italian firm of Benelli produce two completely different 250 motor cycles, the cheaper and less glamorous one being their 250. The 250 is a two-stroke, twin-cylinder bike which follows the layout of the popular Japanese bikes in the quarter litre class. With a 56mm bore and 47mm stroke, the engine actually displaces 231CC from which is extracted 3obhp at 8ooorpm. This power gives the small Benelli a top speed of 90mph and a fuel consumption of 45mpg. Again, as is usual with Japanese machines, a five-speed gearbox with left-foot change is utilised. The frame of the bike is of duplex design and the suspension is conventional in every sense. However, the whole outfit is very taut and well designed-so that the handling and roadholding are of the highest order. One failing of the machine is that it still needs to be fed with petroil mixture instead of the more usual self-mixing set up with separate tanks for petrol and oil.

The finish and appearance is not quite up to the example set by Japanese manufacturers, so the bike misses on this score also. Interestingly, two models of the Benelli 250CE are manufactured, one with drum brakes front and rear and one with a front disc. Although the disc version is considerably more expensive, it is not as effective as the drum in the wet.