Reliability, durability, and easy servicing were more important than performance. Bore and stroke is 65.0mm by 45.2mm, and the head features two chain-driven camshafts with four valves per cylinder. Cast iron cylinder barrels are thicker than average, and they are cast in the cylinder block for maximum stability and easy re-boring with no risk of distortion. Compression ratio is a moderate 11.5:1, and the Delphi electronic fuel injection uses 38mm individual throttle bodies. The Delphi system, which measures air speed and air density, is very advanced, perfectly calibrating the fuel and spark via individual O2 sensors for each cylinder. This also makes the Benelli engine very clean at the exhaust, which incorporates two catalytic converters.
Benelli says the BN600R produces 82 hp at 11,500 rpm and 38.4 pound-feet of torque at 10,500 rpm. Average numbers, these, in line with those of the mild versions of the Japanese 600cc fours. Peak torque is below the mark, and it’s reached at rather high rpm, leaving only a 1,000-rpm gap between peak torque and peak power. Given the generously robust dimensions of the engine, however, there is plenty of room for extra performance and added displacement.