
After much anticipation, Benelli released its 302R sportbike in April, 2021. Tipping the scales at 401 pounds and pumping out 34 horsepower, the entry-level supersport punched above its weight class. Apparently, Benelli parent company QJ Motors felt it was time for the model to moved up a category despite only being on the market for one year.
At least that’s what the latest QJ Motor patents suggest, as the firm prepares a new 400cc sportbike for the legacy Italian brand. While the potential 402R would mark a substantial upgrade for the Benelli 302R, QJ Motor already has the SRK 400 RR among its ranks. A Benelli-badged parallel-twin-powered 400cc supersport would certainly leverage that existing platform, but the patent drawings also indicate key design differences.