Name: Benelli 302R
Brand: Benelli
SKU: 653
Availability: Discontinued
Rating: 4.7 (21 reviews)

Benelli 302R

Benelli 302R Summary

302R key highlights
Engine Capacity	300 cc
Mileage - ARAI ARAI certified fuel economy that has been tested under controlled conditions.	25 kmpl
Transmission	6 Speed Manual
Kerb Weight	198 kg
Fuel Tank Capacity	14 litres
Seat Height	785 mm

About 302R

Benelli unveiled their first small capacity fully-faired motorcycle - the Tornado 302R at the 2015 EICMA. This motorcycle has been developed for markets like India, where there is a demand of such fully-faired bikes.

When it comes to the overall design, the Benelli Tornado 302R looks really good. However, the front of the bike looks slightly disproportionate. The side profile of the bike is very attractive due to the red trellis frame and the decal job. On the other hand, the instrument cluster looks very basic, just like its quality.

The Benelli Tornado 302R is powered by a parallel-twin liquid cooled engine. This mill produces 36bhp at 12,000rpm and peak torque of 27Nm at 9,000rpm and is mated to a six-speed gearbox. The Tornado 302R has a claimed top speed of 170kmph but for track junkies, there is an upgrade kit which will be available soon after the global launch. This performance kit will help the bike churn out close to 40bhp.

The suspension duties for the Benelli Tornado 302R are taken care of by 41mm upside down forks at the front and monoshock with adjustable preload at the rear. The braking power comes from twin 260mm floating discs with a four piston caliper at the front and a single 240mm disc with a single piston caliper brake at the rear. The bike will be available with ABS as an option.
DSK Motowheels will sell this bike in India as a completely-knocked-down (CKD) unit and the launch will take place by May 2017. We are expecting the bike to be priced between Rs 3 lakh and Rs 3.25 lakh and will compete with the Kawasaki Ninja 300 and the Yamaha YZF-R3.

Benelli 302R Review

This is the production version of DSK-Benelli's entry-level sports offering, the 302R. And it unashamedly borrows from the Benelli line-up, just like the youngest in any large joint family would.

What is it?

Why I would buy the 302R

This bike does so many things right – ride quality, ergonomics, comfort and even handling – you can't help but liking it. Plus, it comes with ABS as standard.

Why I would avoid the 302R

For all its engine capacity and sound, it simply lacks the go. It also doesn't get you excited like a sports bike ought to.

This is the production version of DSK-Benelli's entry-level sports offering, the 302R. And it unashamedly borrows from the Benelli line-up, just like the youngest in any large joint family would.

So, the name was initially snatched from the family's only supersports ever, the Tornado TRE. But, then a light bulb must have gone off in the DSK boardroom, because the taus, fufas and maussas in tier 2 and 3 towns might have found it difficult to pronounce the windstorm. It also borrows its mechanicals – in a broad sense – from the naked TNT 300. But, we will get to that later. For now, let´s talk presence.

And the 302R checks that box quite convincingly.

For starters it is big – or should we say long, and a bit odd. The front faring is large and heavily stickered and it screams for attention. Then there’s the long and upswept tail, the high and sculpted fuel tank, and a two-piece seat design, all of which comes together rather well. The oddity though comes from how long the bodywork seems in relation to the wheelbase of the motorcycle.

Personally, I am not a fan of the bike’s styling, but that’s unimportant, because the 302R certainly grabs eyeballs on the street.

How is it to ride?

Now this is where the 302R left me dumbfounded. And not because it is the best motorcycle I have ever ridden; it’s not. I like it, sure, but I was amazed at how wrong I read it before I rode it. Here’s why.

The engine specs of the 302R read like this. It runs a 300cc, 4 valve-per-cylinder, liquid cooled and fuel injected parallel twin unit. So, it’s modern. The engine’s output at 38bhp and a little over 26Nm isn’t half bad either, especially when you consider it’s nearly in the same ballpark as the other similar capacity parallel twins in the market. And then you get astride and gas it, and immediately, you are welcomed by this lovely intake howl. So, you roll the throttle to the stops expecting a surge in acceleration that will put a smile on your face. You cross 6,000rpm and your expectations shoot up further for you have just felt a hint of surge coupled with the exhaust taking on a louder, more purposeful note. Now you wait for the big kick. But, it never comes. Not at 8 or 9 or even post 10,000rpm. It’s like expecting Abhishek Bachchan to deliver a hit… on his own.

Now before you conclude that the 302R is a slow poke, it’s not. It’s just not as quick as one expects a near 40bhp motorcycle to be. The upside to this, of course, is that anyone can ride it. Then no matter their riding skills or what they might be upgrading from, chances are they won’t scare or kill themselves. The fact that the engine is wonderfully tractable makes things easier still. The specs say the 302R makes its peak torque at 9,000rpm. But, in the real world, it’s happy to get going from as low as 3,000rpm without hiccup. It’s also a near vibe-free engine. Yes, it’s that friendly. What’s more, the 302R remains approachable for every other riding aspect too. The ride quality is pliant; the seating ergonomics are less sports-bike and more commuter-like; the rider’s perch is both low and roomy; and when you aren’t trying to rip the throttle grip off the handlebar, it is acceptably quiet as well.

Now the 302R also weighs quite a bit, a tad under 200kg. And that’s never a good thing for a sports offering. Surprisingly, the Benelli hides its weight quite well on the move, unless you are moving it around for a finicky photographer. Be it commuting in the city or making U-turns, helped by the generous turning circle, the 302R never felt like it would trip over its own wheels. It also doesn’t put any pressure on your wrists and with a seat that qualifies as comfy; this Benelli makes for quite a good daily ride.It remains agreeable even when you hit the twisties. To be clear, we only rode the bike in pouring rain. So, for the benefit of our journalist friends from other media houses who’d be riding the bike after us, we didn’t push the handling envelope of the bike as much as we would have liked.But, with whatever we could manage, the 302R felt quite up to the task of leaning. It doesn’t have the most communicative chassis and it’s no cat at attacking corners, but it is quite fluid nonetheless. All it needs is a prod to tip into corners and then thanks to those Metzelers, there’s just loads to grip even in the wet. Plus, given our experience with these tyres on KTM 390s, these should be a huge asset in the dry as well.

Anything else I should know?

Apart from being usable, comfortable and approachable, the Benelli 302R is also simplistic. So, you don’t get too much under the ‘equipment’ tab. There’s digital instrumentation, albeit a boring looking one, which has your basic read-outs for speed, rpm, trip, time, fuel level and temperature. Additionally, it also gets a gear indicator. The 302R also gets an adjustable brake lever and ABS as standard. As you can tell, it’s not a very long list.

Now compared to its TNT sibling with which it shares the engine, Benelli has reworked the cycle parts quite a bit. The chassis, still a trellis frame, has been completely revised. The swing-arm is new and the rear monoshock is now centrally mounted. The R also gets new wheels, better tyres and a full-length exhaust. The brakes remain wavy twin discs upfront and single disc at the rear, and though the progression is decent, the setup could do with more consistent bite.

Should I buy one?

If you are chasing performance over everything else, skip it. If you want the ultimate handling tool, skip it. And if you can’t do without fancy tech and love anorexic machines, again, skip it.

However, if you want something reasonably quick for daily riding that’s comfortable, spacious and has ABS, the 302R works. It also works decently well as a highway tool. And, of course, with that look-at-me styling and the whoa-what’s-that exhaust and induction notes, it’s great for a bit of ‘shining’ as well.

And did we mention it comes with a 4 year/unlimited mileage warranty? Well, it does! Now, that is some peace of mind.

Where does it fit in?

The Benelli 302R is launched at Rs 3.48 lakhs (ex-showroom). As of now, since the Yamaha R3 isn’t on sale, the only true rival for the Benelli blueprint is the Kawasaki Ninja 300. But, it is little more expensive and unlike the 302R, doesn’t get ABS. One can also look at the fiercer RC390; the KTM might not be as roomy or comfortable, but it’s fast, gets ABS and is significantly cheaper. We would have suggested the Honda CBR250R as well, but again like the R3, it isn’t on sale currently.

Full Review

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Benelli 302R mileage

As reported by 302R owners, the real mileage of Benelli 302R is 26 kmpl. As per ARAI, the average of 302R is 25 kmpl.

302R mileage details

302R Specifications & Features

Specifications

Power & Performance

Displacement Engine displacement is the measure of the cylinder volume swept by the pistons of an internal combustion engine. It indicates the engine size. 300 cc

Max Power 37.7 bhp @ 11,500 rpm

Max Torque 26.5 Nm @ 10,000 rpm

Stroke Stroke indicates the number of engine cycles during which a piston travels from top to bottom. 45.2 mm

Valves Per Cylinder Valves per cylinder indicate the intake (fuel) and outlet (exhaust of combustion gases) of an engine. 4

Compression Ratio A compression ratio suggests the degree to which the fuel mixture is compressed before ignition. 12:1

Mileage - ARAI ARAI certified fuel economy that has been tested under controlled conditions. 25 kmpl

Mileage - Owner Reported This is the fuel economy registered by Bikewale followers. 26 kmpl

Riding Range The total range that a vehicle can travel on a full tank of fuel. 364 Km

Top Speed The maximum speed that a vehicle can achieve. --

Transmission 6 Speed Manual

Transmission Type The transmission type will tell the kind of transmission a two-wheeler has. Chain Drive

Gear Shifting Pattern Gear Shifting Pattern --

Cylinders The number of cylinders that an engine features. Most two-wheelers sold in the Indian market feature a single-cylinder. 2

Bore Bore is the diameter of each cylinder. 65 mm

Ignition Ignition indicates to the type of starting system that a vehicle uses. --

Spark Plugs A spark plug is a device for firing the explosive mixture. 1 Per Cylinder

Cooling System The cooling system suggests the cooling mechanism that a motor uses. The types include air, oil, or liquid. Liquid Cooled

Clutch The clutch disengages or engages the engine from the transmission. --

Fuel Delivery System --

Fuel Tank Capacity The capacity of a vehicle to store fuel. 14 litres

Reserve Fuel Capacity Reserve fuel is part of the main tank that is used when a vehicle is running low on petrol/diesel. 1.4 litres

Emission Standard Emission standards indicate the output from the exhaust that is permissible in a country. BS4

Fuel Type Fuel Type is the type of fuel that an engine uses to operate. The different types include petrol, diesel, electric, and ethanol among others. Petrol

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Brakes, Wheels & Suspension

Front Suspension Front suspension usually includes telescopic forks. Ø 41 mm inverted Telescopic forks

Rear Suspension Rear suspension setup mostly uses a rear mono-shock. Rear swing arm with central shock absorber

Braking System Braking system is used to reduce the speed of the vehicle or bring it to a standstill. Dual Channel ABS

Rear Wheel Size Rear wheel size indicates the diameter of the rear wheel. 17 inch

Front Tyre Size Front tyre size indicate the profile of the front tyre. 110/70 R 17, 54 H

Rear Tyre Size Rear tyre size indicates the profile of the rear tyre. 150/60 R 17, 66 H

Front Brake Type Most vehicles feature a disc brake at the front although some commuter segment products come with a drum setup. Disc

Front Brake Size Front brake size indicates the size of the disc or drum setup at the front wheel. 260 mm

Rear Brake Type Most vehicles come with a drum brake setup at the back although higher spec models feature a disc brake at the rear. Disc

Rear Brake Size Rear brake size indicates the size of the disc or drum setup at the front wheel. 240 mm

Calliper Type Front-4 Piston Rear-Single Piston

Wheel Type Wheel types include two types - Wire-spoke and Alloy wheels. Alloy

Front Wheel Size Front wheel size indicates the diameter of the front wheel. 17 inch

Tyre Type Tyre types are divided into two - Tubeless and Tube Type. Tubeless

Radial Tyres Radial tyres use steel belts that run at a 90-degree angle with the tread line. Yes

Front Tyre Pressure (Rider) --

Rear Tyre Pressure (Rider) --

Front Tyre Pressure (Rider & Pillion) --

Rear Tyre Pressure (Rider & Pillion) --

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Dimensions & Chassis

Kerb Weight Kerb weight of the motorcycle is the total weight of a vehicle that is ready for operation. It includes all standard equipment and necessary consumables. 198 kg

Seat Height The seat height is the height of the rider's saddle from the ground. 785 mm

Ground Clearance The ground clearance is the distance between the ground and the lowest point of a vehicle. 150 mm

Overall Width Total width of the vehicle. 745 mm

Overall Height Overall height is the tallest point of a motorcycle, usually the mirror or the top of a windscreen. 1,115 mm

Wheelbase The wheelbase is the distance between the front and the rear wheel. 1,410 mm

Overall Length Overall length of the vehicle is the total length of a two-wheeler from the front to the back. 2,150 mm

Chassis Type The chassis type is the primary/main frame of a two-wheeler. Steel trestle in steel tubes

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Manufacturer Warranty

Standard Warranty --

Standard Warranty --

Features

Odometer Odometer keeps the track of the total kilometres travelled by a vehicle in its lifetime. Digital

Speedometer Speedometer gives an indication of the current speed at which a vehicle is travelling. Digital

Fuel Guage Fuel guage indicates the level of fuel available in the tank of a vehicle. Yes

AHO (Automatic Headlight On)--

Shift LightYes

Headlight Type--

Digital Fuel Guage Digital fuel guage shows the information about the fuel level in a vehicle through a digital display. Yes

Tachometer Tachometer shows the real-time reading of the revs per minute (RPM) at which the engine is operating. Analogue

Stand Alarm Stand alarm notifies the rider if the side stand of the vehicle is engaged. Some vehicles comes with a side stand cut-off feature that does not allow the motor to start until the side stand is lifted. No

No. of Tripmeters No of tripmeters indicate the total number of trip meters that a vehicle's instrument cluster features. Usually, premium vehicles come with two trip meters, while budget two-wheelers feature a single trip meter. 2

Tripmeter Type Tripmeters are available in two type - analogue and digital. The analogue unit usually features a single trip meter while a digital display may come with two trip meters. Digital

Low Fuel Indicator Low fuel indicator aims to remind the rider that the vehicle is running low on fuel, and it should be refueled soon. Yes

Low Oil Indicator Low oil indicator is a warning light that indicates that the engine is running lower oil than required to operate. Yes

Low Battery Indicator Low battery indicator suggests that the battery of the vehicle has lost a substantial amount of charge. Yes

Clock Clock is used to display time through the instrument cluster. This feature comes in motorcycles with a digital display. Yes

Battery Battery in a petrol-powered vehicle is used to support the self-start system, power the clock, and the USB charger. Maintenance Free

Front storage box No

Under seat storage No

Mobile App Connectivity Mobile App Connectivity connects the smartphone to the instrument cluster via Bluetooth to offer access to features such as incoming calls, messages, and music. No

DRLs (Daytime running lights) Daytime Running Lights, as the name suggest, are the lights that stay ON when the main headlight is switched off. This feature makes a vehicle easily visible in the rear view mirror of other vehicles. Yes

Brake/Tail Light--

Turn Signal--

Pass LightYes

GPS & NavigationNo

USB charging portNo

Start TypeElectric Start

KillswitchYes

Stepped SeatYes

Pillion BackrestNo

Pillion GrabrailYes

Pillion SeatYes

Pillion FootrestYes

Additional features--

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Benelli 302R User Reviews

4.7 47 ratings 21 reviews

4
Visual Appeal
4
Reliability
4
Performance
4
Service Experience
3
Maintenance cost
4
Extra Features

5Sweet inline sound super tourer and super head turner 2 years ago by Chris, Chennai
Awesome bike nice and comfortable, sturdy feel more planted in highway.Dual purpose bike, can be ridden in highway in city. U can ride this bike from 25 kmph in 6th gear all the way to 180kmph. Pickup lesser than all 300cc bikes but very tractable motor and low torque i
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- Used it for
  Everything
- Owned for
  > 1 yr
- Ridden for
  5000-10000 kms
- Got mileage of
  25 kmpl
5Race partner 302r - honest review after an year of usage 2 years ago by Abhishek, Pune
Even tough the price looks a bit higher but you wont feel it, once you own it. It is generally misinterpreted to be a big bike, best in class sound, you can feel that race punch of both torque and barrel noise once you hit the 5000 rpm mark.This can do way more than any
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- Used it for
  Everything
- Owned for
  > 1 yr
- Ridden for
  > 15000 kms
- Got mileage of
  22 kmpl
5Perfect musical tune stock exhaust 3 years ago by Dandibhotla Raviteja, Hyderabad
The perfect review of mine is...If u want a perfect musical tuning machine in the 300 segment....This one is the perfect bike matches to u and gives us a sporty feel while riding amongst all the 300 cc segment bikes....The pickup is awesome and the ground clearance is t
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- Used it for
  Daily Commute
- Owned for
  Never owned
- Got mileage of
  26 kmpl

5Few words about benelli 302r 3 years ago by Baijit Rahaman, Kolkata
It was my dream to be owner of a superbike. My budget was 4,00,000 and i wanted a bike with good looks and with sound like an in-line 4 cylinder bike. I choose benelli 302r to be my first bike1. While buying this i was too excited and i was sick at that day 2.It's ridin
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- Used it for
  Everything
- Owned for
  Never owned
- Got mileage of
  30 kmpl
5Best sound bike 3 years ago by Rishi, Mumbai
Riding experience is amazing and sound of the bike superb...Even for others, the so-called 'born-again bikers' who want to get back into motorcycling after a break, it's this class of motorcycles which holds appeal - not too expensive, decent and sporty looks, and enter
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- Used it for
  Everything
- Owned for
  Never owned
5Review 3 years ago by Tony, Bangalore
really fantastic to ride for long I was unstoppable from Bangalore to Mumbai I traveled in one day without any break but I filled full tank for thrice and last it was half tank left according to me it gives a mileage of 28-30 and without any spots it went that much far
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- Used it for
  Everything
- Owned for
  > 1 yr
- Ridden for
  > 15000 kms
- Got mileage of
  30 kmpl
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- Got mileage of

Benelli 302R News

2020 Benelli 302R: Image gallery
17 June 2020
Suvil Susvirkar
Here we bring you the detailed images of the 2020 Benelli 302R. The motorcycle was recently launched in the Chinese market.
2020 Benelli 302R launched in China
16 June 2020
Suvil Susvirkar
The 2020 Benelli 302R has been launched in China for 32,800 yuan.
New Benelli 302R to be unveiled soon
15 June 2020
Suvil Susvirkar
Benelli will soon unveil the latest iteration of its 302R fully-faired motorcycle for the Chinese market.