Chances are high a good variety of you studying this have by no means ridden a bike with an automated transmission, not to mention one with a CVT. For many of us, the enjoyment of using comes from disconnecting from the monotony of on a regular basis life and doing one thing that retains us totally engaged with our senses. That normally means clicking by gears and feathering the clutch ourselves.
However we’re residing in ever-changing instances. Automatics had been as soon as reserved for scooters—machines many riders dismissed as boring and solely utilitarian. Now, nonetheless, automatics are carving out a good larger place within the motorbike world, and amongst fans, too.
Picture by: Benda Bikes
That is the place the Benda Chinchilla 350 CVT Neo enters the image. On paper, it sounds a bit bizarre: a V-twin cruiser paired with a scooter-style constantly variable transmission, or CVT. At first you would possibly assume, what even is that this? However checked out from a special perspective, it is sensible. It’s a cheerful medium for riders who need the low-slung, laid-back vibe of a cruiser, mixed with the twist-and-go smoothness of a scooter. No clutch lever, no gear shifter—simply fuel and go.
The engine is a 343cc V-twin making 34 horsepower at 8,700rpm and 23 pound-feet of torque, numbers not far off from maxi-scooters. With a curb weight of 430 kilos, it sits proper in that center floor between gentle metropolis bikes and heavier cruisers. Like a scooter, each brakes are mounted on the bars, making it approachable even for riders shifting up from smaller machines.
Benda has already confirmed the mannequin for export, with Europe first in line. Provided that its US arm already sells the smaller Chinchilla 300 for under $5,000, it wouldn’t be a stretch to see the 350 CVT Neo land stateside as effectively.
The query is: who is that this bike for? Will American riders embrace a cruiser with out gears? Personally, I’ll admit I like my bikes fully guide. However that’s me. For others, particularly new riders or those that worth ease of use over engagement, the Chinchilla CVT would possibly hit the candy spot.
On the finish of the day, it’s about alternative. The extra choices obtainable, the extra individuals can discover their approach onto two wheels. And if the Benda Chinchilla 350 CVT Neo helps make that occur, then it deserves its spot within the dialog.
Trending Merchandise


