Benelli Imperiale 400

The Benelli Imperiale 400’s exterior design just screams old money. It is catered towards consumers who really desire that vintage riding feel. Hence, newer-generation consumers who are accustomed to operating high-tech features might not be one of its main target markets. At the front, it sports a classic round headlight and a pair of large, bright indicators, all of which offer superb visibility at night. It also has chrome accents, giving it an elegant-looking silhouette wherever it goes. Its seat might not be the most plush in its segment, but is padded enough to provide the rider and his or her passenger with supportive cushioning and good ergonomics.

Riders have access to a virtual cockpit that offers a blend of traditional touches and modern technological features. Its instrument panel comes with a combination of analog and digital displays. It has retro dials, which help the rider avoid the overwhelming feeling that can come from operating fully-digital and/or touch-controlled features. Meanwhile, at the rear, it has a chrome exhaust as well as a round tail lamp and round signal indicators (just like the front). It is also given dual shock absorbers with an adjustable preload, which ensures that the rider and passenger stay comfortable regardless of the terrain type. 

In terms of dimensions, the Benelli Imperiale 400 measures 2,170 mm in length, 820 mm in width, and 1,120 mm in height. It has a wheelbase of 1,440 mm. This cruiser motorcycle runs on a 19-inch spoke wheel at the front and the 18-inch counterpart at the rear. 

The Benelli Imperiale 400 utilizes a suspension combination of telescopic forks at the front and dual shock-absorbers at the rear. In the city, this runs smoothly since its suspension setup allows it to have decent absorption of bumps and road stability. However, it is highly likely for you to feel its heavy weight when you are turning or cornering at high speeds. Also, due to its low ground clearance, it is not advisable to pass through severe off-road terrain or urban concrete pavements with huge bumps and potholes. But, overall, it delivers a really comfortable and enjoyable riding experience inside the city or on smooth free-flowing highways.

The Benelli Imperiale 400 is powered by a 1-cylinder, 4-stroke, 2-valve 374 cc engine that produces a maximum power output of 21.07 PS (15.5 kW) and a maximum torque of 29 Nm. It runs on a 5-speed manual gearbox. Its engine delivers a nice linear power delivery, which allows it to run smoothly both in the city or on the highway. Its power is really just enough. Hence, its engine tends to struggle when overtaking or cruising at higher speeds out on the open road since it doesn’t have that much reserved power inside. 

But, to compensate for this cruiser’s lackluster engine, Benelli gave it an electronic fuel injection system to improve its fuel efficiency on the road. That said, this cruiser motorcycle would make a practical and reliable daily transportation within the city. For a more enjoyable riding experience, its engine also produces an eargasmic sound, making heads turn and attracting attention wherever it goes.

One of Benelli Imperiale 400’s main weaknesses is its lack of an anti-lock braking system and other safety features that most modern bikes already have as a standard. Its braking setup consists of discs both at the front and rear.

For its price point, the Benelli Imperiale 400 is one of the most practical and relatively reliable choices for a daily city commuter within its segment. In my opinion, it could become more competitive among local consumers if Benelli gives it ABS and modern safety features in the future.