Chinese bike maker, Benda have revealed a new cruiser called the Rock 707, which features electronically adjustable suspension and a clutch lever you don’t have to use.
It arrives with European dealers from mid-September, ahead of a wider showing as part of a new Benda line-up at the EICMA trade show in Milan this coming November.
The new bike is built around a 692cc V-twin producing a claimed 72bhp at 9000rpm and 50lb.ft of torque at 6500rpm – which Benda claim is tuned for low-range grunt – driving through a six-speed gearbox and belt final drive.
The standout feature on the spec sheet, though, is a dual-chamber adaptive air suspension system at the rear. Electronically controlled air chambers respond to rider and passenger load and road conditions, automatically adjusting the bike’s ride height as it comes to a stop and pulls away again.
That gives a 30mm seat-height range, from 690mm to 720mm, so the rider can drop the bike lower for putting a foot down, fuel stops or awkward cambers, before it returns to full height once moving.
Benda have also fitted their BEC MK-III electronic clutch, which combines electronic control with mechanical actuation to let the rider pull away, change gear and come to a stop without using the clutch lever.
Benda say this cuts the effort needed in stop-start traffic and slow manoeuvring, while full manual clutch control remains available at any time.
Chassis-wise, the fancy rear shocks are combined with a cradle-type steel frame, aluminium swingarm, and upside-down front forks. Front and rear disc brakes get ABS and while a slipper clutch is fitted to help maintain stability on fast downshifts.
Cruise control is included, as is traction control, and the rear seat can be optionally retrofitted with a chrome-plated aluminium mount to convert it into a luggage rack.
“The Rock 707 shows where we believe the cruiser can go next,” said Constantin Heinemann, Head of Marketing Europe at Benda Motor Europe GmbH. “It has the character, proportions, and V-twin engine that make a cruiser what it is, but it features technology that changes the experience in ways that riders will not expect.”
The Rock 707 is offered in four colours – Knight Black, Sandy Gray, Windy White and Armor Green – though availability may vary by market. Pricing has not been announced.
A cruiser with a maximum seat height of just 720mm seems like an odd choice of application for a lowering device of this kind, and may be an indication that their target market – including Honda Rebel 500 or Kawasaki Eliminator 500 riders. Potential owners may be caught out by the Benda’s 235kg claimed weight though.
Ben Clarke began riding (legally) at 21-years-old when he passed his direct access one month before shipping his Yamaha XT660 R to Miami and embarking on a 13,500-mile tour of the USA and Central America. He's worked at MCN for the last six years, riding everything from super nakeds and superbikes to small-capacity electrics and scooters across several continents. In more recent years, he's worked closely with the bike kit team to bring you all the latest news and reviews about the bike-related products we all use every day.
Lover of V-twins and big singles, partial to a tour