The Benelli brothers built their first motorcycle engine in 1919 from their mother’s Pesaro garage, launching what would become one of Italy’s most storied names in two wheels. More than a century later, that same Italian design center in Pesaro has shaped the BKX 125 (albeit with Chinese manufacturing) — a bike that proves adventure riding doesn’t require a 500cc powerplant. Landing in dealerships this month, the BKX 125 serves legitimate entry-level adventure bike that doesn’t compromise on hardware.
Italian Design, Real Hardware
Walk up to the BKX 125 and you’re not looking at a beginner bike — you’re looking at a proper small ADV. The design language coming out of Pesaro stays clean, with LED lighting integrated into both ends and front turn signals cleverly tucked into the handguards. The 19-inch front and 17-inch rear spoked wheels sit under a steel tubular trellis frame, exactly the setup you’d see on machines twice the displacement.
Where the BKX 125 separates itself from other 125cc bikes is the suspension. The 41mm upside-down fork is fully adjustable for preload, compression, and rebound, which is not common in this class. The rear monoshock, connected via a progressive linkage, offers preload and rebound tuning as well. Both ends give you 180mm of travel, while ground clearance sits at just over 9″ and the seat height comes in at 33.86″.
The New 125 Single
Power comes from a completely new 125cc liquid-cooled single-cylinder engine, Euro 5+ compliant and tuned specifically for the A1 license class across Europe. It delivers 15hp at 9,500rpm and 8.9lb.ft of torque at 7,000rpm, which are solid power specs for beginner riders as well. The six-speed transmission and wet multi-plate clutch handle power delivery, while electronic fuel injection keeps everything running smooth.
Braking uses a 280mm front disc with a four-piston radial caliper and a 240mm rear disc with a single-piston setup, both with ABS. For a bike weighing just 317lbs, that’s more than adequate stopping power. The 12-liter fuel tank should deliver close to 310 miles of range given Benelli’s fuel consumption claims, which means fewer gas station stops.
The Brand’s Adventure Evolution
This isn’t Benelli’s first run at the adventure segment — the TRK line has been handling that for years — but the BKX family is designed to help bring younger riders in to the brand, with 125cc, 250cc, and 300cc platforms. Debuting as a concept at EICMA 2022, the BKX 125 shares that same forward-thinking approach Benelli took when they built the Leoncino 125 back in 1951, a bike that became a 20-year sales success by focusing on accessibility. Today’s BKX 125 carries that torch, blending Italian styling from Pesaro with Chinese manufacturing efficiency under Qianjiang ownership.
Spec Sheet
Model: 2026 Benelli BKX 125
Engine: 125cc liquid-cooled single-cylinder, Euro 5+
Power: 15hp
Torque: 8.9lb.ft
Transmission: 6-speed
Weight: 317lbs
Seat Height: 33.9″
Ground Clearance: 9.2″
Suspension Travel: 180mm front/rear
Fuel Capacity: 12 liters
Wheels: 19″ front / 17″ rear, spoked
Brakes: 280mm front disc (4-piston radial), 240mm rear disc (single-piston), ABS
Colors: Nordic White, Cement Grey, Avio Blue, Dune Sea
Pricing & Availability
The 2026 Benelli BKX 125 is rolling into dealerships now, priced at £3,499 (~$4,780) in the U.K. market. Four colorways are available — Nordic White, Cement Grey, Avio Blue, and Dune Sea — though U.S. availability remains uncertain through Keeway America’s distribution network.
Recap
2026 Benelli BKX 125
Benelli just dropped the BKX 125 for 2026, a proper entry-level adventure bike that punches way above its 125cc weight class with fully adjustable suspension you’d normally find on bigger machines. At roughly $4,780, it’s landing in UK dealerships now with Italian design and hardware perfect for new riders.
