Benelli Motorcycles
Benelli motorcycles — Italian-born bikes from Pesaro, now produced under Qianjiang / Geely ownership with a US lineup built around approachable displacement. The TNT 135 mini bike, mid-size nakeds, and adventure-touring models give American riders an Italian nameplate without superbike pricing.
History of Benelli
Benelli was founded in 1911 in Pesaro, Italy, by the Benelli family. It is one of the oldest continuous motorcycle names in Europe. Early decades mixed road bikes and racing success, and Benelli was part of the classic Italian industry alongside better-known rivals from Bologna and Milan.
Ownership changed several times in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. Today Benelli motorcycles are owned by Qianjiang (QJ), part of Geely Holding. Design roots remain Italian, while much modern production and product planning serve global volume markets. That shift explains why the current US Benelli motorcycle lineup focuses on small and mid-displacement bikes rather than liter-class superbikes.
In the United States, search interest clusters around the Benelli TNT 135 — a mini motorcycle often cross-shopped with the Honda Grom — plus broader queries for Benelli motorcycles for sale, dealers, and price. Larger Benelli adventure and naked models appear in other markets and periodically in US dealer inventory depending on importer strategy.
Note: Benelli firearms (Benelli Armi) share historic family roots but are a separate business from Benelli motorcycles. Shoppers asking who owns Benelli shotguns are usually looking for the Beretta-related firearms company, not the QJ motorcycle brand.
Key milestones
- 1911 — Benelli founded in Pesaro, Italy
- 1920s–1970s — Road and race motorcycles establish the classic Italian brand
- 2005 — Qianjiang acquires Benelli; modern global expansion begins
- 2010s–2020s — TNT, TRK, Leoncino, and related families define the volume lineup; TNT 135 becomes a US mini-bike favorite
What Benelli motorcycles are known for
- Accessible Italian branding — style cues and naming from Pesaro at prices aimed below Ducati and Aprilia flagships.
- Mini and mid-size focus in the US — the TNT 135 and similar small bikes drive most American interest.
- Adventure and naked families abroad — TRK adventure-tourers and Leoncino / TNT nakeds fill showrooms in many markets.
- Global manufacturing scale — QJ / Geely ownership supports volume production and broader parts availability than tiny boutique brands.
Benelli motorcycle model families
Mini / entry
- TNT 135 — the Benelli motorcycle most searched in the US; a mini naked often compared with the Honda Grom
- Related small-displacement TNT variants in select markets
Naked / roadster
- TNT mid-size models — upright nakeds for city and highway use
- Leoncino — modern-classic roadster styling in several displacements
Adventure / touring
- TRK family — adventure-touring Benelli motorcycles popular outside the US and sometimes listed by US dealers
Scooter
- Benelli scooter models — small urban scooters in markets where Benelli covers that segment
Who Benelli motorcycles are for
Benelli fits new and returning US riders who want something smaller and cheaper than a full-size cruiser or sportbike, especially shoppers comparing the TNT 135 vs Grom. It also attracts buyers who like Italian branding but do not want Ducati ownership costs.
Check Benelli motorcycles USA dealer coverage before you buy — the network is thinner than Honda or Yamaha. Browse Benelli motorcycles for sale on Motohubs to compare TNT 135 and other listings by price and location.