Benelli Dragon 150, the fully-faired 150cc bike rivalling Yamaha R15 in the making: Report

Italian motorcycle manufacturer Benelli is reportedly working on a new fully-faired 150cc motorcycle that will go up against Yamaha YZF-R15. The patent image leaked online confirms Benelli's new fully-faired motorcycle.

Codenamed BJ150T-30, the new 150cc sports bike will be built on a new liquid-cooled single-cylinder platform and is expected to be named Dragon 150 for Southeast Asian markets, reports Bikewale. Benelli already has a naked 150cc bike, the TNT 15, in its international portfolio. However, the Dragon 150 is not expected to share parts of TNT 15. The design and appearance of the Dragon 150 will be in line with the Tornado 302R. The Dragon 150 will feature unique alloy wheel design and tail section.

The motorcycle will first go on sale in China, which is expected to take place in early 2017. Its launch in India can be expected in mid-2017.

DSK Benelli, the Indian subsidiary, is expected to manufacture Dragon 150 for domestic as well as Southeast Asian markets. The company will soon launch the Tornado 302R, a fully-faired sibling of TNT 300 in India. The Tornado 302 is powered by an in-line two-cylinder four-stroke four-valve DOHC engine that develops 36bhp at 12,000rpm and 27Nm at 9,000 rpm. The engine is mated to a six-speed transmission and the bike reportedly has a top speed of over 170kmph.