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This Stunning New Cruiser Boasts 3 Wild Features I’ve Never Seen Before

The rare concept motorcycle to make it to production takes a unique approach to suspension, lighting and engine breathing, among other things.

Close-up of a black motorcycle fuel tank and handlebar controls on a paved surface.Benda
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By Steve Mazzucchi

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As regular GP readers know, China is a rising force in the motorcycle world, with brands such as CFMoto, QJMotor, Souo, ZXMoto and Voge — and others making noise in recent months.

The most ambitious of these brands have brought more and more of their bikes here to the US, presenting additional options for consumers and making long-standing brands sweat with fresh innovation and competitive pricing.

Two modern electric motorcycles with wide rear tires and sleek silver and black designs parked indoors on a wooden floor.
Ever ogled a concept motorcycle and wondered, “geez, why don’t they just build and sell that?” With the LFC700, Benda clearly had the same thought — and then just went and did it.
Benda

Case in point: Benda, which recently announced that even more bikes will join the Chinchilla 500 (and 300) and Napoleonbob 500 on our shores next year. 

These include the Rock 300, Chinchilla 350, the new Rock 707/707 Pro … and the wildly innovative concept-to-production marvel that put Benda on the map in the first place, the LFC 700. 

More than a concept

The LFC 700 is the focus today, because not only is it still the most groundbreaking and superlative-laden, but also it’s the top of Benda’s line and, let’s be honest, new to most Americans.

Before I even get to its most unique features, let me hit a few fundamental facts. 

Close-up of a black motorcycle engine with "BENDA" branding on the engine cover and textured black frame panels.
The 676cc engine may seem small for a cruiser, compared to what you’ll find in most Harley and Indian bikes, but it’s actually the biggest for Benda, which is part of an emerging trend toward smaller-displacement motorcycles..
Benda

First off, rocking a 676cc inline-four, it’s the first Chinese four-cylinder motorcycle to reach production. That power plant makes 85 horsepower and 44 lb.-ft. of torque, though that first figure can go as high as 92, depending on the market. 

That engine is the beating heart of a cast-aluminum chassis with a massive 67.7 wheelbase and the widest rear tire of any production bike: 310/35-18.

Black motorcycle with wide rear tire and visible exhaust pipes against a brick wall background.
The engine may be “small,” but the rear tire is phaaaaat. P.s. That exhaust system tho.
Benda

Complementing those jaw-dropping numbers are a bevy of name components, including Brembo brakes, KYB suspension and Bosch electronics, plus a tech-forward 5-inch TFT display and a futuristic, double-take-inducing exhaust.

Beyond the base model, there’s also the LFC 700 Pro, which has a slightly narrower back tire (300/35-18) and two of the three most distinctive features, which we can now explore.

Fantastical features

The really wild stuff going on with the LFC 700 and LFC 700 Pro ranges from eye-popping novelty to genuine utility, but each is a conversation starter in and of itself.

First off, take a closer look at the “headlight” and you’ll see it’s not a headlight at all. This circular unit, styled to resemble a jet engine duct, is actually an intake that funnels air to the engine’s airbox.

Those lights flip up a la gullwings when activated. This feature serves utterly no purpose except to be totally f*cking awesome.

The actual lights appear in three parts: a small panel above the intake and two blade-shaped lamps set into the side cowls. 

With the Pro model, those lights are mounted in panels on either side of the tank and flip up a la gullwings when activated. This second unique feature serves utterly no purpose except to be totally f*cking awesome. 

Close-up of a black and bronze electric motorcycle front wheel and fork with "LFC" and "700" branding on the body.
The LFC700’s headlight is actually above and to the sides of the normal position, where the air intake resides.
Benda

The most notable difference with the Pro is also the most legitimately useful one.

As with the Rock 707 Pro, the rear suspension boasts a single dual-chamber air shock that can be raised or lowered more than three inches via handlebar controls: 25.6 inches at its lowest and 28.7 inches at its highest. 

The system is also capable of self-leveling when weight is added, and can drop down to the lowest point when you stop, making it easy to place your feet firmly on the ground.

Person in black helmet and jacket riding a black electric motorcycle on a mountain road.
Between the rider’s nee and the fork, you can spot the gullwing-style auxiliary lights.
Benda

Now, adaptive ride height has been around for years — I first experienced it personally on Harley-Davidson’s Pan America four years ago. But the control and range offered by this set-up is incredibly rare and especially useful for newer and/or shorter riders. 

As reported by Cycle World, paperwork filed by Benda with the EPA covers both the LFC 700 and LFC 700 Pro for the 2026 model year, with the documents listing Panther 700 under the same approval.

That could be the name the bike gets for the US market, which sounds slightly cooler than Chinchilla or Napoleonbob. Or is it just me? 

Availability and pricing

The LFC 700, LFC 700 Pro and the other bikes mentioned in the intro could be headed our way late this year or early next year.

No pricing is available at this time, but considering the Napoleonbob 500 is currently priced for the US market at $6,399, it would not surprise me if the base model flirted with $10,000. 

About the Author:

Now managing editor, Steve has served in a variety of roles with GP since 2019. Having previously written and edited for such publications as Men’s Health, Men’s Journal, Esquire and ESPN, he enjoys covering a range of topics — but mostly those pertaining to cycling, snow sports, pocket knives and motos — and dreams of a utopian world in which everyone’s bike seat is at the proper height.

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