Benelli 249s Review

Used Buyer Review

The Benelli 249S is a genuinely interesting little quarter-litre that gets overlooked because of badge snobbery, and honestly, that works in your favour when buying used. The parallel-twin pulls cleanly from low revs, the clip-on ergonomics feel properly sporty without destroying your wrists, and the fit-and-finish is noticeably better than most Chinese-built bikes from the same era. It punches above its displacement on highways — just about. Used examples need careful checking though. The throttle-by-wire system on earlier units developed sticky behaviour, and the fuel pump is a known weak point that dealers often brushed off under warranty. Check service history religiously because owners who skipped the 4,000km valve checks are passing their problems onto you. Parts availability is the elephant in the room. Benelli's dealer network is patchy at best, and some consumables take weeks to source. Budget for that frustration. That said, a well-maintained 249S under four years old with clean paperwork is genuinely decent transport — better dynamics than a CBR300R, more character than an R3, just slightly more gamble in the ownership lottery.