1980s Benelli 254 Pictures
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The Benelli 254 is a 233cc 4stroke 4 cylinder single ohc engine fed by four individual carburettors with 4 separate chromed downpipes running into 2 silencers either side. They were first launched back in 1979. The first model had straight handlebars and had a less flowing style. The 2 Benellis pictured are from the early to mid 1980s during the De Tomaso ownership era. The purchase price brand new back then was in the order of 1.5 to 2 times the price of an equivalent Honda 250cc machine – hence their rarity. Unusually the instrument panel housing the speedometer, rev counter and indication lights is housed directly above the petrol tank instead of traditionally on the handlebars. She offers excellent handling characterisitcs being light and flickable whilst still being stable over bumpy roads. This rare little bike sounds wonderful from a bystanders point of view and makes a lovely howling sound when aboard. Red lines at 12,000 rpm but mechanical sympathy means I don’t go quite that far! The power delivery is smooth but really takes off above 6000rpm when she really begins to come on song – she is good for 95 miles an hour I believe. There is a Benelli owners club run by enthusiasts – which you are aware of and spares can be obtained.
To sum up the Benelli 254 is a fantastic unusual little machine and has been described many a time in press reports as having a jewel of an engine. Whilst it may have similarites to the Honda 4 cylinder engines it was the Italians through Benelli who had the strength of character to be the first to manufacture a road going production 4 cylinder 250cc motorcycle long before the Japanese ever did. I am very fortunate and proud to own and look after 2 such machines and hope never to part with them. Maybe one day we will see the new owners of Benelli resurrecting the 254 as a modern bike?
Many thanks to Steven Cartright for these pictures and the above information. It’s really good to hear what people think of their bikes.
