Benda Capra 700 Revealed at EICMA: 74 HP V-Twin ADV With 21-Inch Front

Part of Throttle Times’ live coverage of EICMA 2026.

Benda has officially stepped outside its cruiser comfort zone at EICMA 2026 in Milan, unveiling the Capra 700—a full-sized, off-road-capable adventure motorcycle powered by an unconventional 691.6cc 65-degree V-twin engine. In a middleweight ADV segment almost entirely colonized by 270-degree parallel twins, the Chinese brand is betting that European riders still crave the authentic pulse, narrow waistline, and mechanical distinctiveness of a true longitudinal V-configuration.

The Capra 700 pairs its bespoke V-twin architecture with uncompromising dual-sport running gear. Rolling on a 21-inch front and 18-inch rear wire-spoked wheel combination, it features long-travel suspension (230 mm front / 220 mm rear), an 18-litre fuel cell, and aggressive rally ergonomics designed to tackle the Trans Euro Trail straight off the showroom floor. Following recent engineering showcases like the Benda supercharger patent, the Capra 700 represents the brand’s most ambitious production assault on established European territory to date.

An Unconventional 65-Degree V-Twin in an All-Road Chassis

At the core of the Capra 700 sits a liquid-cooled 65-degree V-twin displacing 691.6cc with dual overhead camshafts and four valves per cylinder. The powertrain develops 73.4 hp (54 kW) at 9,000 rpm and 68 Nm of peak torque at 6,500 rpm. Those performance numbers put it in direct competition with the Kawasaki KLE650 and the newly unveiled Royal Enfield Himalayan 750, with power managed via a ride-by-wire throttle assembly and an assist-and-slipper clutch.

The engine sits nestled inside a tubular steel trellis frame joined to a cast aluminium swingarm. Up front, a 45 mm inverted fork provides 230 mm of fully adjustable travel, complemented by a piggyback-reservoir rear monoshock offering 220 mm of stroke. Stopping power is handled by dual radially mounted four-piston calipers biting 310 mm discs up front, governed by a two-channel ABS system that can be disengaged at the rear for dirt work.

“The middleweight adventure category had become mechanically monotonous. Every manufacturer builds the same parallel twin. With the Capra 700, we wanted genuine V-twin soul, narrow stand-up ergonomics, and long-travel off-road credentials at an accessible European price point.”

Practical adventure equipment comes fitted as standard. The Capra 700 incorporates integrated steel crash bars, heavy-duty aluminium sump protection, built-in LED fog lights flanking a round neo-retro headlight, a high-mounted twin-pipe exhaust system keeping silencers clear of river crossings, and a vertical TFT instrument cluster designed for standing navigation.

The Rider’s Trade-Off: V-Twin Character Versus Packaging Length and Heat

Opting for a 65-degree V-twin yields tangible advantages in the dirt. The cylinders are narrow between the rider’s knees, allowing an exceptionally slim 850 mm seat profile that makes flat-footing easy when dabbing through rocky riverbeds. Furthermore, the low-end flywheel inertia and natural primary balance deliver effortless tractor-like traction over slick tree roots where rev-happy parallel twins tend to break traction.

The sacrifice lies in overall packaging and thermal management. A longitudinal V-twin inevitably lengthens the chassis wheelbase (measuring 1,530 mm), making tight slow-speed pivot turns slightly more demanding than on ultra-compact parallel-twin rivals.

Additionally, the rear cylinder sits tucked directly beneath the fuel tank and saddle. While moving along at 90 km/h on open dirt roads keeps airflow steady, creeping through technical Mediterranean trails in mid-summer will inevitably transfer noticeable heat toward the rider’s inner thighs.

Middleweight Adventure Comparison: Benda Capra 700 vs The Establishment

European Market Outlook and Availability

Benda plans to introduce the Capra 700 to European distribution networks by late spring 2027. While homologation paperwork is currently undergoing final Euro 5+ certification, European distributors anticipate a competitive entry price between €6,990 and €7,490, heavily undercutting Japanese middleweights while offering fully adjustable suspension and standard protection bars.

For riders who spend their weekends exploring TET gravel routes and want the acoustic rumble and low-end cadence of a V-twin without paying €16,000 for a heavyweight European flagship, the Capra 700 introduces a refreshingly rebellious alternative to the middleweight status quo.

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Official source: https://www.eicma.it/

Reporting via: insella.it