DSK MotoWheels to brand Keeway bikes as Benelli in India

After unveiling five upcoming Benelli models late last year, DSK Benelli India is preparing to officially launch the bikes within the next couple of months. Though the company showcased just street and adventure bikes ranging between 300cc to 1130cc, it now wants to have a broader presence in the Indian two-wheeler market.

And going by the sales report of Harley-Davidson India, cruisers are one of the fastest growing segments in our country. Not surprisingly, DSK Benelli India wants to have presence in the cruiser segment as well. But since Benelli does not have a cruiser model in its line-up, the JV turned to Hungarian motorcycle brand – Keeway which, like Benelli, is owned by Qianjiang Group.

DSK MotoWheels with its other two-wheeler partner – Hyosung, offers the DSK Hyosung Aquila Pro (also known as the GV 650) and the smaller DSK Hyosung Aquila 250cc cruisers in India, and so the company understands the potential of the premium cruiser segment in India.

Speaking to ZigWheels, Shiva Ray, Chief Operating Officer, DSK Motowheels said, “We want to offer Benelli with the biggest range in India. Cruisers are also an important segment, so we looked at Keeway brand which has a few bikes which seem apt for the Indian market.” 

DSK Benelli India is planning to bring the Keeway Blackster cruiser and TNT250 naked bike to our shores by July 2015. Keeway is a known brand internationally and is sold by Qianjiang Group in many markets of America and Europe. In India, the DSK-Benelli JV will market the Keeway bikes as Benelli, to keep the line up uniform in our country.

The smart cruiser Benelli Keeway Blackster, as the name suggests carries an all-black theme, highlighted with chrome dual exhaust. Powering the Benelli Keeway Blackster is a 249cc, V-Twin, fuel injected air-cooled motor, which can produced 19.18PS peak power at 8500rpm and maximum torque of 18.70Nm at 5750rpm and mated to a 5-speed gearbox.

Currently, the DSK Hyosung Aquila 250 cruiser is priced at Rs 2.8 lakh (ex-showroom Mumbai), and we’re hoping that the soon to be launched DSK Benelli India’s Keeway Blackster would be priced similarly.