If you visited Motorcycle Live at the NEC last November you may have come across Benda (and chortled at its name slightly) for the first time. Imported by Chinese brand specialists MotoGB, it’s a new cruiser brand and they’re entering the UK with three new models (to begin with) that all offer tempting style, ability and prices.
The LFC 700 is its biggest, boldest and priciest. It’s a Ducati Diavel-esque low and mean hot rod but with its supersport-style 676cc four producing 84bhp, more basic spec and a £9199 price (OTR) price tag. It has half the power of a Diavel but is also less than half the price and far more accessible.
Even so, with slick design touches such as a smart TFT dash, posh Brembo radial brakes, wacky four-into-four exhaust and a massive 310-section rear tyre (claimed to be the fattest in motorcycling) its image and presence is in the same ballpark. No, there’s not much practicality, nor Diavel-style handling, electronics and sophistication, but it does a decent job, and few bikes raise as big a smile for so few bucks.
Unusually for a hot rod or ‘power cruiser’, the LFC 700 is powered by an old-style supersport 600 transverse four engine (actually 676cc) that generates ‘just’ 85bhp which, for context, is more equivalent to a 1980s 600 than a 2020s one. Even so, it does a decent job.
At standstill, it sounds great through that unusually designed exhaust. There are no modes, but you don’t really miss them. There’s enough power to blast away from the lights impressively and squeal that monster rear tyre, or to or cruise steadily at motorway speeds. Yes, at the end of the day that 85bhp is half that of the Diavel, but the Italian costs more than twice as much. Overall, for budget hot rod thrills, it’s more than enough.
Handling-wise, considering the LFC not only has the fattest rear tyre in motorcycling (a comic book style 310mm) but also an extremely long wheelbase and not much by way of ground clearance, it’s not actually as bad as feared. Sure, at first, corners demand gritted teeth, forward planning, determined leaning and even a slight prayer, but with miles you acclimatize to this way of riding.
It’s not too bad and is certainly comparable to, say, Harley’s Breakout – although not on a par with Ducati’s other-worldly Diavel. The ride’s reasonable, too. Suspension is by KYB, compression adjustable at the front and preload at the rear, and is smooth, although its limited travel and riding position does mean potholes can sometimes jar. But if that’s what you’re bothered about you’re looking at the wrong kind of bike.
The LFC’s classic long and low hot rod stance is delivered by a low 695mm seat, forward mounted footpegs and stubby sports ‘bars. It’s not as uncomfortable as that might sound, is little different from a Diavel and probably better than Harley’s more extreme Breakout. Its length (wheelbase is a whopping 1720mm), weight (a hefty 287kg wet) and all-round bulk make manouvering a chore and there’s zero weather protection, but on steady, comparatively short cruises the LFC delivers decently, and I challenge anyone not to be entertained by the dropped jaws of all those you ride past…
Practicality wasn’t high on the LFC’s designers’ wish list, instead, it’s all about pose and performance. Because of its riding position, lack of weather protection, dubious comfort and lack of luggage, touring or serious motorway miles are definite ‘no-nos’. While because of its sheer length, awkwardness and bulk, it’s no nimble commuter or traffic-buster, either and obviously nor is it an off-roader or any kind of sports weapon.
Which begs the question: ‘What is it for then?’. The answer is: ‘posing’, and lots of it. At standstill the LFC looks simply space age and on the move down a seafront promenade or summer cruise it grabs everyone’s attention. No, it’s not practical, but at the price nothing, but nothing, in the right situation, generates bigger smiles. It’s a real statement bike.
The LFC 700 isn’t lavishly equipped but, considering its sub £9k price, it has what it needs. So, the dash is a typical 5” colour TFT; mirrors are smart ‘bar-end’ types; it all appears decent quality and only on closer inspection does it appear at all lacking. There are few electronics and no modes (although you don’t miss them) and, of course, being a ‘hot rod’, there is no fairing, luggage or creature comforts – but that’s not what you want from this kind of bike, anyway, is it?
At launch the Benda LFC 700 costs £8999, or £9199 on the road, which when you remember that Ducati’s Diavel is £23k+ and Harley’s Breakout over £25k makes it a hell of a bargain and one that I can quite easily overlook its dubious name for. Sure, those bikes are in a different league in many ways. The Ducati has 170bhp and is bristling with tech’, the Harley over 100bhp and the best brand name in biking but the Benda also delivers commendably and offers much of the same pleasure.
No, it’s not perfect. Its 676cc four-cylinder motor seems a little incongruous, especially compared to the Ducati and Harley’s monster V4 and V-twin respectively, and its appeal is very niche. But it sounds great, works respectably well and has enough (but certainly not too much) performance.
It also looks brilliant, is reasonably equipped and works more than adequately. All of that adds up to a bike that, in brief moments, puts a great big smile on your face and makes you feel like Judge Dredd or The Terminator, but for budget bike money. And isn’t that, sometimes, what motorcycling is supposed to be all about? If you don’t want much more from a bike than that, the LFC 700 could well be for you.
Benda LFC 700 Specification
Price: £9,199
Engine: 676cc four, DOHC, four valves per cylinder, liquid cooled
Power: 84.4bhp (63kW) @ 10,300rpm
Torque: 60Nm @ 8,000rpm
Transmission: 6-speed, chain
Frame: Cast aluminium
Suspension: (F) 41mm KYB USD telescopic forks, compression adjust (R) preload adjustable KYB single shock.
Wheels: N/A
Tyres: KingTyre K99 (F) 130/70 x 19, (R) 310/35 x 18
Brakes: (F) 2 x 320mm discs, Brembo four-piston radial calipers, (R) 260mm disc, Brembo twin-piston caliper. Cornering ABS
Weight: 287kg (wet)
Wheelbase: 1,720mm
Seat height: 695mm
Fuel tank: 17 litres
Fuel consumption: N/a
Service intervals: 6000 miles/12 months
Warranty: 24 months unlimited mileage
Contact: https://www.bendamoto.co.uk
Words: Phil West
Photos: Too Fast Media
