2025 Benelli Imperiale 400 Review

The 2025 Benelli Imperiale 400 draws its retro styling from previous models designed and built back in the early 1950s. The classic lines were a favorite of Giuseppe Benelli, one of the six founding brothers of Benelli Motorcycles. However, it’s old-school in more ways than just styling.

By Keith Dowdle | Photos by Brittany Dowdle

The motor is air-cooled, and the right side of the engine gives the impression that there’s a pushrod beneath the nicely logoed cover. But looks can be deceiving; there’s no pushrod in this modern, Euro 5–compliant engine, which powers the bike with a 374cc single overhead cam, fuel-injected single-cylinder vertical thumper. Twenty-one horsepower at 5500 rpm compels you to really rev the engine up close to the 6000 rpm redline to hit highway speeds, but once there, the five-speed transmission keeps the pace at a relatively low rpm, making for a comfortable ride, even though there’s not much extra power available for overtaking.

Although Benelli’s website touts “long-distance travel capabilities,” I consider this bike more about style and attitude—along with the vibe it conveys both while riding and from everyday folks who notice it. I felt the admiration from people at gas stations and motorcycle hangouts, as everyone seems to appreciate the old-school look of this modern classic. That’s fantastic because just about anyone could ride this little gem.

With a low seat height of just 30.7 inches and its smooth clutch actuation, paired with an easy-to-shift transmission, the Imperiale is a joy to ride. I suppose if you really wanted to, you could take it on a long-distance trip. Surprisingly, for a big single-cylinder engine, it runs ultra-smooth at highway speeds, and the combination analog and digital dashboard provides all the essential information needed (including a clock and a fuel gauge).

The suspension features a conventional 41mm front fork and twin rear shocks with preload adjustability, and they perform well—though cornering at higher speeds can slightly upset the rear stability. However, the bike handles as expected while turning and braking under normal riding conditions.

My only concern while traveling the open road is having enough power to pass big trucks and other situations requiring extra power quickly. That said, some riders are out there exploring the world on Royal Enfield’s Classic 350, which is probably the closest comparable model to the Imperiale 400, so to each their own.

Continuing with the aesthetics, you won’t find much plastic on the Imperiale, which is likely why it weighs 452 pounds. From the fenders to the headlight shroud to the gas tank, it’s all solid steel—and the paint and chrome finish quality on all those surfaces is excellent. I also love the rubber knee pads on each side of the tank and the peashooter exhaust. It’s the little things like that that really accentuate the nostalgic look and feel of this sweet little bike.

The seat is another standout feature worth mentioning. In keeping with the retro styling, Benelli added springs to the rider seat for a true old-school look and feel, and the material covering the seat resembles genuine leather so much that I had to ask the Benelli rep if it was. I was told it’s not leather, but I’d argue that from the comfort to the detailed stitching, you could get away with a little white lie and no one would know the difference. It’s that well-executed.

By the way, Benelli is no longer a purely Italian brand. It was bought by a Chinese company in 2005, and the motorcycles are now produced in Wenling, China (though the Centro Stile Benelli ensures that the designs and innovations reflect Benelli’s Italian heritage). While some American customers may scoff at all these Chinese-built motorcycles coming into the country, remember—and we’ve said this before—that similar negative sentiments were expressed about Japanese brands when they first arrived in the States. The initial impression of Benelli’s build quality—and, frankly, several other Chinese brands that we’ve tested—is just as good as that of their competitors from other parts of the world, and you can’t argue with the price.

We need more riders on seats in the U.S., and the entry cost for some of the more popular, well-known brands can be prohibitive for many would-be owners. So, give these brands a chance before you comment without actual knowledge of their quality. If you are a prospective buyer, do your research. The Imperiale is new to the U.S., but it has been available in European markets for several years, and there is plenty of information from current owners.

As you can gather from my previous comments, from a short-term review perspective, there’s not much I didn’t like about the 2025 Benelli Imperiale 400. This bike could be the perfect choice if you’re looking for an easy-to-ride, very affordable entry into the world of motorbikes; or, if you’re a seasoned rider seeking something cool yet affordable, this may be the bike for you. Time will tell if the new presidential tariffs will affect the price of this and other Chinese motorcycle brands, but at the current MSRP of just $4899, you simply can’t go wrong with this modern classic.CN

2025 Benelli Imperiale 400 Specifications

 

Click here to read the 2025 Benelli Imperiale 400 Quick Spin in the Cycle News Digital Edition Magazine.

 

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