Benelli 250

Home Manufacturer Contact

Classic Bikes Custom Bikes Designs Individual Racing Bikes Video Technical Converter

AC Schnitzer Adler AJP AJS Aprilia Ariel Arlen Ness ATK Avinton / Wakan Bajaj Bakker Barigo Benelli Beta Big Bear Big Dog Bimota BMS Choppers BMW Borile Boss Hoss Boxer Brammo BRP Cam-Am BSA Buell / EBR Bultago Cagiva Campagna CCM CF Moto Curtiss CR&S Daelim Derbi Deus DP Customs Ducati Excelsior GASGAS Ghezzi Brian Gilera GIMA Harley-Davidson Harris Hartford HDT USA Hesketh Hero Highland Honda Horex HPN Husaberg Husqvarna Hyosung Indian Jawa Junak Kawasaki KTM KYMCO Laverda Lazareth Lehman Trikes LIFAN Magni Maico Mash Matchless Matt Hotch Midual Mission Molot Mondial Moto Guzzi Moto Morini Mr Martini Münch MV Agusta MZ / MuZ NCR Norton NSU OCC Paton Paul Jr. Designs Peugeot Piaggio Revival Cycles Rickman Roehr Roland Sands Royal Enfield Sachs Shaw Speed Sherco Sunbeam Suzuki SYM SWM TM Racing Triumph TVS Ural Velocette Vespa Victory Vilner Vincent VOR Voxan Vyrus Walt Siegl Walz Wrenchmonkees Wunderlich XTR / Radical Yamaha Zero

Benelli 250 2C Phantom

Make Model	Benelli 250 2C Phantom
Year	1974 - 76
Engine	Two stroke, parallel twin
Capacity	231.4 cc / 14.1 cu in
Bore x Stroke	56 x 47 mm
Compression Ratio	10.0:1
Cooling System	Air cooled
Lubrication	Petroil, 20:1 mixture
Induction	2 x 26 mm Dell'Orto VHB carburetors
Ignition	Electronic
Starting	Kick start
Max Power	19 kW / 25 hp @ 6800 rpm
Max Torque	25.5 Nm / 2.6 kgf-m / 18.8 lb-ft @ 6500 rpm
Clutch	Wet, multidisc
Transmission	5 Speed
Final Drive	Chain
Gear Ratios	1st 20.10 / 2nd 13.18 / 3rd 9.22 / 4th 7.41 / 5th 6.21:1
Frame	Double cradle, tubular steel
Front Suspension	Telescopic forks
Rear Suspension	Swinging arm with double adjustable shocks and concentric springs
Front Brakes	Drum with 4 selfwinding shoes, 180 mm Ø
Rear Brakes	Drum, 158 mm Ø
Front Tyre	3.00-18
Rear Tyre	3.25-18
Wheelbase	1310 mm / 51.6 in
Dry Weight	136.5 kg / 301 lbs
Fuel Capacity	14 Litres / 3.7 US gal
Top Speed	145 km/h / 90 mph

The Italian firm of Benelli produce two completely different 250 motor cycles, the cheaper and less glamorous one being their 250 with drum brakes front and back. 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 56 mm bore and 47 mm stroke, the engine actually displaces 231cc from which is extracted 30 bhp at 8000 rpm. This power gives the small Benelli a top speed of 90 mph and a fuel consumption of 45 mpg. 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 standard 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.

Also, if you are not keen on the Benelli name, you can have an identical bike with the Moto Guzzi badges on, as they are made at the same factory.