BENDA at EICMA 2026 with Capra and Vinster

The BENDA stand at EICMA 2026 in Milan is packed. Just to get anywhere near the highlights, I have to push my way forward and throw my weight around a little. That's remarkable, because I remember this brand's first trade show stand well: small, and nobody cared about it. Today, journalists and dealers are crammed in shoulder to shoulder, and on this Tuesday at EICMA there aren't even any end customers here yet. Over the last few years, BENDA has made a name for itself with cruisers, fat rear wheels and extroverted designs. This year, the brand is showing something completely different: a new 700cc V2 that underpins no fewer than three new bikes in three classes where BENDA has never been represented before. On top of that comes an electronic clutch, which I'd flat-out overlooked in my preparation.

First up is the Capra 700, according to BENDA the brand's first adventure bike and developed for the European market. The 65-degree V2 with 691.66 cc makes 73 hp and 68 Nm, and BENDA quotes the weight at 220 kg. The package sounds like a serious adventure bike: 18-litre tank, adjustable upside-down fork with 230 mm of travel, 21 inches up front and 18 inches at the rear, steel trellis frame, a large TFT and a striking, high-mounted twin exhaust. For me, this is once again a real asset to the adventure bike segment. But that's exactly where things are going to get crowded next year. I'm curious to see how the Capra lands and how all the new adventure bikes hitting the market in 2027 will slot in. The variety is incredible, and BENDA now has an answer to it.

Right next to it, my heart warms. The Vinster 700 heads in a scrambler direction: raised tank, knobbly tyres, the same V2, plus a single-sided aluminium swingarm and a high-mounted exhaust. The Vinster X 700 takes it up another notch, according to BENDA with a 19-inch front wheel and more touring features. Sadly, sitting on it wasn't possible yet, as much as I wanted to. What impresses me: with a new engine concept, BENDA covers completely different segments right from the start. In the past, the brand mainly offered extroverted show bikes like the Napoleon Bob, which win you over with looks and presence. These new bikes are meant to shine with real practicality. I haven't ridden any of them. But I believe all three will go down very well in Austria, Germany and Switzerland.

At the stand I meet Patricia, who works in marketing for Germany, Austria and Switzerland. The office is in Salzburg, and there are now around 30 people there, including the field sales team. Her first trade show was EICMA a year ago, which was also her first day on the job. A baptism of fire. Public interest has risen significantly, she tells me; at the press conference there was no room left despite the larger stand. Then the most important question: when are the Capra, Vinster and Vinster X coming to Europe? Patricia is honest, the three models are still prototypes: "They'll be developed further technically and refined this year, and in Europe you can expect them roughly in 2028." So patience is required. But the basis is already available to buy now, and with a twist I hadn't had on my radar.

The same V2 is already fitted in the Rock 707 EC, a cruiser that's available now. And EC stands for Electronic Clutch. I only find that out at the stand, that's how badly prepared I was. Mea culpa. The clutch handles pulling away, shifting and stopping without a clutch lever, yet you can still operate the clutch manually at any time. Here the V2 has 692 cc and 73 hp, at the rear there's electronic air suspension with automatic height adjustment, and the seat height ranges between 690 and 720 mm. According to reports, the Rock 707 EC costs 9,999 euros plus on-the-road costs in Germany. On a cruiser in particular, a clutch like this makes sense; it makes riding in city traffic even more relaxed. Anyone who has dreaded feathering the clutch in traffic jams can now breathe easy.

The Electronic Clutch continues with the V4 models. Compared to the previous 500, the Dark Flag 600 Ultra EC grows to a 598.5 cc V4 with 71 hp and also gets the electronic clutch. For A2 licence holders, BENDA announces a 35 kW version, with the European launch planned for 2027. Next to it stands the biggest bike BENDA has ever built: the Dark Flag 950 with a 948 cc V4, 109 hp and 85 Nm, still with a mechanical clutch. Sitting on it makes it clear just how mighty this piece of heavy metal is: 242 kg wet weight, and yet the seat height is only 690 mm. The first European markets get it from the end of November 2026, and in Germany it costs 10,999 euros.

What occupies my mind most at this stand isn't any single bike. I'm pretty sure BENDA will move into some dealerships where established Japanese brands currently stand. That puts the Japanese under serious pressure. They not only have to court end customers with cracking bikes, but also treat dealers better instead of using a crowbar to cram their showrooms full. Then there's the pace: the Salzburg team soaks up customer feedback and feeds it back to headquarters, and the development is breathtaking. Even on the quads, which are really workhorses, the paint and finish impress me. In 2027 I want to do another big trip to China and visit factories. I'll definitely drop by BENDA, because this brand is going full throttle.

Just how packed the BENDA stand really was is shown in my four-hour walkaround of EICMA 2026 on the 1000PS YouTube channel. BENDA comes up from the third hour onwards, this link jumps straight to the stand. You can see me fighting my way through to the Capra 700, plus close-ups of the Vinster 700 and Vinster X 700, the chat with Patricia from the Salzburg office about the European launch, the Rock 707 EC and my seat test on the Dark Flag 950. The quads, whose paint and finish surprised me, also make an appearance. Stick around afterwards and you'll get more than 40 further stands, from Honda through Ducati to KOVE, with seat tests, stand interviews and clear verdicts. Four hours of EICMA to catch up on, without the crowds and without the entry fee.

• Capra 700: 691.66 cc 65-degree V2, 73 hp at 9,000 rpm, 68 Nm at 6,500 rpm, 220 kg (basis inconsistent in BENDA documents), seat height 850 mm, 18 l tank, 21/18 inches, Europe around 2028 according to BENDA marketing
• Vinster 700 / Vinster X 700: 691.66 cc 65-degree V2, 73 hp at 9,000 rpm, 68 Nm, seat height 830 / 865 mm, 15 l tank, Europe around 2028 according to BENDA marketing
• Rock 707 EC: 692 cc V2, 73 hp at 9,000 rpm, Electronic Clutch, seat height 690 to 720 mm, price Germany 9,999 euros plus on-the-road costs (according to reports)
• Dark Flag 600 Ultra EC: 598.5 cc V4, 71 hp at 10,500 rpm, 55 Nm, Electronic Clutch, A2 version with 35 kW, seat height 680 to 730 mm, Europe planned for 2027
• Dark Flag 950: 948 cc V4, 109 hp (80 kW) at 9,000 rpm, 85 Nm, 242 kg wet weight, seat height 690 mm, price Germany 10,999 euros, first markets in Europe from end of November 2026