Benda Napoleonbob 250 Review - The Boldest Freakshow on the Market?

Sometimes it feels like the motorcycle market is completely saturated. Many models look alike, entire lineups are built on the same engine platforms, and few manufacturers dare to venture into truly uncharted territory. Successful concepts are copied, optimized, and only slightly evolved—but truly bold ideas have become rare. This raises the question: Where are the manufacturers that still take risks? Those who think outside the box and build motorcycles that can’t be pigeonholed in three seconds?

It's precisely such a rare exotic that takes center stage in this test today. Instead of a classic performance check or a clinical assessment, our tour was all about feeling. What emotions does a freakshow on two wheels evoke? And is it a freakshow in a positive or negative sense? The journey from Vienna to the beautiful Wachau was set to provide the answer. Enter the stage, the Benda Napoleonbob 250.

The Benda Napoleonbob 250 features a liquid-cooled V2 engine with a displacement of 249cc, delivering 26 hp at 9,000 rpm and 25 Nm of torque at 5,500 rpm. The measured weight is slightly over 200 kilograms. Up front, a multilink trapezoidal fork with 75 millimeters of travel does the job, while the rear is equipped with two shock absorbers with very limited travel. The tires are generously sized at 130/80-18 in the front and 160/70-18 in the rear, emphasizing the bike's imposing presence.

Right from the start in Vienna, it's clear: These 250cc are different. The Chinese motorcycle manufacturer Benda focuses on the cruiser segment but combines it with extraordinary and sometimes completely atypical engine concepts. Alongside a 500cc V4 Cruiser and the LFC 700 with an inline-four and 310 rear tire, the Napoleonbob 250 now joins this lineup of unique motorcycles.

The raw numbers initially seem unimpressive: 26 hp at 9,000 rpm and 25 Nm of torque at 5,500 rpm, all packed into a motorcycle weighing over 200 kilograms. In practice, this means one thing above all: revs. Lots of revs. To get moving, the small V2 needs to be actively worked.

This has two immediate effects. First, there are quite noticeable, high-frequency vibrations. Second—and most importantly—the sound of the Napoleonbob is surprisingly loud. How Benda managed to pass the stringent European noise regulations remains a mystery. Once under load, the Napoleonbob roars to life, practically demanding attention. Whether starting off, accelerating, or just touching the throttle, it's always making itself heard. The sound isn't unpleasant, even confident—but over time, it's almost absurdly loud.

In an urban setting, this character is quite fun. In Vienna, the loud presence perfectly matches the striking appearance of the Napoleonbob. At regular traffic light stops or when coasting, it can even be relatively subdued. You're an absolute eye-catcher and immediately feel that this motorcycle is anything but ordinary.

But as the city gradually opens up and the throttle remains steady, the downside becomes apparent. On the way towards the Vienna Woods, the constant droning becomes increasingly demanding. Not unpleasant sounding, but ever-present—a matter of taste, literally. Still, within the first hour, it's clear: this motorcycle has more character than many machines with significantly larger engines.

Once you leave Vienna behind and head west, the Napoleonbob reveals its next peculiarity: the riding position. The footpegs are set far forward, and the handlebars are mounted extremely low. This creates a posture reminiscent of TV custom bikes like those from Orange County Choppers.

For taller riders, this position almost appears cartoonish. The knees are high, the arms are low, and the upper body is hunched forward. From the outside, it sits somewhere between funny and cool, but ergonomically, it definitely takes some getting used to. However, this peculiar posture has its charm: even leaving Vienna feels like a mini-show. You don't ride the Napoleonbob inconspicuously—you automatically put on a performance.

In the Vienna Woods, beautiful curves, rhythmic bends, and perfect arcs await. It's essentially the ideal place to ride a motorcycle smoothly. But with the Napoleonbob, you quickly realize that leaning is not its forte. The ability to lean the bike is extremely limited. Despite having short feeler pegs, the footpegs scrape immediately.

The consequence is clear: the Napoleonbob calls for a relaxed riding style. Cruising instead of carving corners. Sporty ambitions are quickly and clearly curbed here. Yet, this fits surprisingly well with the personality of this bike. The Napoleonbob isn't a sportbike—it's a poser. And that's perfectly fine.

The surroundings help embrace this character. Sunbeams break through the treetops, vibrant leafy canopies line the route, and gradually, the first views of the rolling hills open up. In the midst of it all is this loud, vibrating, quirky motorcycle. It's unconventional—but definitely an experience.

The closer you get to the Wachau, the more open the landscape becomes. Gentle hills, scattered vineyards, and small villages characterize the scene. In this idyllic setting, the Napoleonbob stands out as a rolling contrast. Visually, it's an absolute stunner.

Bronze-colored cylinder heads make the engine appear much larger than it actually is. The paintwork on the tank and fairing parts looks high-quality. The unique trapezoidal fork catches the eye, as does the floating bobber seat, the chunky tires, and the surprisingly stylish TFT display with gear animation. For well under 6,000 euros, you get a motorcycle that looks like it was built by a customizer for a five-figure sum.

In operation, however, this premium feel can't quite be maintained. The multilink fork up front is too soft, but still functions adequately. Precise front-end feel isn't really necessary on a cruiser anyway. The rear is judged more critically: According to Benda, the two shock absorbers offer only 38 millimeters of travel, which is supposed to be multiplied by 2.5 through linkage. In practice, the damping is simply insufficient. Every bump is transmitted directly to the back, exacerbated by the forward-leaning seating position. Regular stops aren't a recommendation, but a necessity—fortunately, the Napoleonbob is a pleasure to admire while stationary.

Thankfully, at the end of our tour, there's a place that knows how to take care of weary bikers. High above the Danube lies the pilgrimage site of Maria Taferl—and there, the MoHo Motorradhotel Rose. We park the quietly crackling Napoleonbob against the historic backdrop, take a deep breath, and enjoy good food, cool drinks, and the impressive panoramic view of our day's ride through the Wachau.

With a beer in hand and a view over the Danube, we sum up the day with the Benda Napoleonbob 250. This tour wasn't comfortable. But it was different. And it's memorable.

Strictly speaking, the Benda Napoleonbob 250 has a few rough edges. The seating position, suspension, and lean angle leave little room for sporty or comfortable riding. At the same time, Benda shows tremendous courage. The courage to pursue an idea that many manufacturers wouldn't dare. This is exactly what creates a riding experience that is unique.

For longer tours, a bit of pain tolerance is needed. But you can hardly get more attention, coolness, and emotional character per euro right now. The feel-good vibes of the Napoleonbob aren't physical—they're emotional. Every second, you feel that you've broken free from the ubiquitous monotony and are riding something truly special. For some, that's reason enough to buy.