BENDA Dark Flag 950: V4 cruiser with 109 hp

For many riders, cruisers and V-twins go together like scooters and city traffic. With the new Dark Flag 950, however, BENDA is taking a different route: at its heart is a V4 engine displacing just under 950 cc and producing 109 hp. The bike will be presented at EICMA in November.

The centrepiece of the BENDA Dark Flag 950 is a liquid-cooled 948 cc V4 engine with 16 valves. The engine produces 108.77 hp at 9,000 rpm and delivers its peak torque of 85 Nm at 8,000 rpm. According to the manufacturer, the V4 is designed to combine smooth power delivery with direct responsiveness under acceleration.

Gear changes are handled by a six-speed gearbox. The multi-plate wet clutch features an anti-hopping function intended to aid stability during rapid downshifts. Power is then sent to the rear wheel via a toothed belt.

Visually, BENDA stays true to classic cruiser proportions. A low silhouette, the sculpted tank and the compact tail section define its look. With a wheelbase of 1,590 millimetres and an overall length of 2,330 millimetres, the Dark Flag 950 is accordingly long. It measures 910 millimetres in width and 1,100 millimetres in height.

The 16-inch wheels also contribute to the typical cruiser look. Up front sits a 130/90-16 tyre, while the rear runs a 180/65-16. The seat height is particularly interesting: at just 690 millimetres, BENDA places the seat very low. Forward-mounted foot controls and wide handlebars are intended to provide a relaxed riding position. The wet weight is quoted at 242 kilograms.

For the chassis, BENDA relies on a tubular steel frame with a steel swingarm. Up front there is an upside-down fork, while two hydraulically damped shocks handle the rear. For the brakes, BENDA turns to Brembo components. The front features two 320-millimetre discs with radially mounted four-piston calipers and 32-millimetre pistons. At the rear, a 260-millimetre disc works with a radially mounted two-piston caliper. ABS and traction control are also part of the standard features.

When it comes to features, the Dark Flag 950 doesn't stick to the classic cruiser recipe either. The cockpit houses a 3.6-inch TFT display. There is also cruise control as well as USB-A and USB-C ports. In addition, the bike has an automatic idle shut-off. The BENDA Dark Flag 950 is explicitly designed for riding two-up with rider and pillion. A dedicated pillion seat and corresponding footpegs are fitted. The tank holds 16 litres of fuel. Together with the relaxed ergonomics, BENDA says this should make longer tours part of the cruiser's repertoire too.

BENDA lists the colours Obsidian Black, Glimmering White, Burgundy Red, Mountain Silver and Prism Grey for the Dark Flag 950. Which paint schemes are actually offered in individual markets may vary. Details on pricing or a specific launch date are not yet included in the information available. The new BENDA Dark Flag 950 is set to be presented at EICMA in November.