In our second segment this week, Editor-at-Large Neale Bayly chats with author Rob Brooks. ![]() There’s a chance that Benelli with the Imperiale, has managed to create a riding experience that is a good deal more than just the sum of its parts. On paper, the Benelli is truly unimpressive, but always one to keep an open mind, Don takes to the urban streets curious to see who exactly might enjoy this motorcycle. This hyper-retro machine has styling that makes it look it comes straight from the 1940’s or possibly 1950’s. In the first segment this week, Editor Don Williams on the new Benelli Imperiale 400. This inconsistency unnecessarily hampers the effective range of the bike I simply could not trust the display enough to rely on it. The manual references a 0.75-gallon reserve the low-fuel light comes on when you tap into it. In reality, the fuel gauge tells you that you are on your last ‘bar’ of fuel, with somewhere between 1.5 and 2 gallons in the tank. At five gallons, you have quite the range, hypothetically. Also, it is angled in a manner that pushes my, um, family jewels into the tank. The saddle is shaped well, though much too hard for a full day of touring. When riding, my knee was bent at a rather small angle, suggesting that I am too tall for the bike. I could not flat-foot the 2024 Yamaha Tracer 9 GT+, which suggests I am too short for the bike. I am five-foot-ten with a 30-inch inseam and rode the Tracer with the saddle and footpegs in the low position. First and foremost for my frame is the seating position. ![]() Touring did bring out some not-so-great sides of this bike. On the straight, flat desert roads approaching Trona and Death Valley, the bike easily and comfortably hits speeds in Cessna territory. Getting on the freeway, you can hit highway speeds in second gear. In the mountains, you have enough torque that a novice like me can enjoy myself without shifting much. From there to the 10,500 rpm redline, you have a mind-bending amount of power on tap, which the triple-cylinder engine dispenses with glee. While the inline-3 motor is happy to pull you along at 2500 rpm with its oodles of low-end torque, spinning it up to about 6000 rpm brings out another beast. The mileage-leaning Dunlop Sportmax GPR-100 tires work well, and the suspension is well-tuned, giving me a great deal of rider confidence as I zipped up Angeles Crest Highway and onto Angeles Forest Highway to the upper desert. With a push of the thumb, sport mode is activated, and the Tracer handles roads better than its 500-pound weight would suggest. © 2023 Suzuki Motor USA, LLC.In the twisties, the Yamaha shows its sport side. Suzuki, the “S” logo, and Suzuki model and product names are Suzuki Trademarks or ®. Specifications, appearances, equipment, color, features, materials and other items of “SUZUKI” products shown are subject to change by manufacturer at any time without notice. Suzuki engineered the GSX-Rs™, Hayabusa, and the QuadSport Z400 for experienced riders. ATV riders can call the SVIA at 1-80 and we’ll even pay for the training. Off-road riders can enroll in the DirtBike SchoolSM by calling 1-87. For the MSF street course nearest you, call 1-80. Study your owner's manual and always inspect your Suzuki before riding. Never ride under the influence of alcohol or other drugs.
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