It's raining bikes in Delhi. The latest launch of DSK Benelli at the Le Meridien Hotel gives more range of bikes to enthusiasts who seem to be lapping up the luxe range of bikes now available in India. Priced from 2 lac upwards to 12 lacs the DSK Benelli bikes give a mean ride getting its place of pride in the garage of real biker buffs.

DSK Benelli aims at expanding its reach across Northern India, reaching out to a larger audience of superbike enthusiasts in the coming months. The bikes showcased included the sporty-looking Tornado Naked Tre, or TNT superbikes that encompass the TNT 300- In-line two cylinder 300cc engine, TNT 600i- In-line four cylinder 600cc engine, TNT 600 GT- In-line four cylinder 600cc engine, TNT899- In-line, three cylinder 898cc engine and TNT R- In-line, three cylinder 1131cc engine.

Speaking on the launch, Shirish Kulkarni, Chairman, DSK Motowheels and a passionate biker himself said, “Our main focus is to align DSK Benelli’s presence across all strategic locations to generate strong brand eminence. In order to enhance our presence across North India, the country’s capital Delhi is an inevitable choice to begin with and is one of our key target markets. Our dealerships will not only act as a platform to sell motorcycles but also as a place for DSK Benelli superbike enthusiasts to interact with other bikers and share their love for the Italian superbiking experience.”

Born of rich, pure lineage, DSK Benelli today boasts an impressive range of globally-respected superbikes that marry heritage, innovation, styling and technological prowess. Benelli’s distinctly stylish motorcycles are known for their Italian flamboyance and the ability to provide riders from all walks of life a pure, high-performance experience. The state-of-the-art showroom is at Faiz Road, Karol Bagh, near Jhandewalan Metro, showcasing the entire range of DSK Benelli superbikes available in India under the dealership of ‘Torque Bikes’.

DSK Motowheels, a part of the DSK Group (Diversified business group with a turnover of over Rs. 5000 crores) forayed into the growing automobile sector by entering the niche segment of powerful and aspirational bikes. It will be assembling and selling Benelli bikes across the country and supporting them with a good backup of service and spares. With its mounting sales and service network, the brand offers 24 x7 on call breakdown service.

The entire gamut of DSK Benelli superbikes,are available at attractive price points:

(Ex-Showroom, Delhi)

• TNT 302 – Rs. 2,83,000
• TNT 600i – Rs. 5,15,000
• TNT 600 GT – Rs. 5,62,000
• TNT 899 – Rs. 9,48,000
• TNT R (1130)– Rs. 11,81,000

The story of Benelli bikes - FROM HISTORY TO THE LEGEND          

As often happens, the history of great industries is born in garages. In this case it was the "Benelli Garage”, In 1911, the six Benelli brothers Giuseppe, Giovanni, Francesco, Filippo, Domenico and Antonio, known as "Tonino”, repaired and manufactured motorcycle parts. In 1921 the 'Velomotore' was created: a single cylinder two stroke 75cc bike adapted to a bicycle frame and the following year it was the turn of the 98cc 'Motoleggera', immediately appreciated by the public of that time. The first real Benelli motorcycle, a 175cc model, ridden by Tonino, proved immediate winner in the world of competition.

Thus began a long list of glorious moments, with more than 1000 victories in the Italian and European Championships and two World Titles won in 1950 and 1969. Many legendary riders have ridden Benelli motorcycles. Besides Tonino, the owner of the company, the Italian riders Ambrosini, Grassetti, Campanelli, Provini, Pasohni, Villa and the internationals  Saarinen, Hailwood and Carruthers. At the end of the 60's the last motorcycle of the family owned company was born; the Tornado 650 which developed 50 hp at 7000 rpm, and easily  surpassed 170 km/h.

Later the first ownership change took place, but motorcycle production  continued in Pesaro with the ground breaking in line 6 cylinder 750 and 900cc Sei’s which were manufactured up until the early 1980's. In 2001 the production of the first all new in-line triple powered range began, with thefully faired supersport Tornado 899cc Limited Edition. The addition of the Tornado Naked Tre or TNT for short, and subsequently the Tre-K in both 899 and 1131 cc variants meant that Benelli was truly back in the market of large capacity sports motorcycles. Today Benelli is part  of the Qianjiang (QJ) Group, a corporation which produces more than 1.2 million two wheelers per annum. QJ, wishing to respect the tradition of passion which has always guided the history of the Italian brand, will continue manufacturing bikes in Pesaro, the traditional home of Benelli Motorcycles.