There are basically two ways to take on the industry giant Bear. Either you come up with something that’s completely useless, that no one asked for, or you really focus on what already works and say, “Yeah, I can do that… but spicy and cheap.”
Chinese motorcycle manufacturer Benda is very clearly choosing option two, and the updated Chinchilla 500 is shouting it from the rooftops. This Chinese cruiser has just a bling-bling, a power bump and even an automatic clutch setup that looks suspiciously like Honda’s e-clutch while wearing a fake moustache.
Modified Chinchilla surfaced in Chinese type approval documents searched by 500 people Cycle World. And from what we can see, it’s still there for new riders who want something cool, not scary. That said, Benda didn’t just slap on a new sticker and call it quits. The engine has more power, the design has been tweaked, and it’s packing one of the trendiest bits of tech on a bike at the moment.
The current Benda Chinchilla 500 already offers some serious value, starting at around US$6,000.
Photo by: Benda
That spicy bit of technology is the Benda’s automatic clutch system. And yes, if you’re feeling frustrated, it’s because it works very much like Honda’s e-clutch. You still get your usual gearbox, clutch lever and foot shifter, nothing fancy about it.
But now if you feel lazy there’s an electromechanical wizard in the background doing the clutch work for you. Take off without touching the lever, hit gears like you’re in a video game, and stop without swerving like a newbie. And what if you suddenly feel like being a purist? Just hold the clutch and pretend nothing happened.
Now, before we all start shouting “Honda clone”, similar vibes don’t mean similar guts. Honda has spent a lot of time and money making its e-clutch intuitive and natural, and a lot of the magic is in the software. Until someone actually rides both back-to-back and reports back like a brave little guinea pig, we’ll have no clue whether Benda made it all the way or just got a little closer. Still, the overlap of how they should feel is by no means subtle.
The engine also got a little shine. The displacement increases from 476 cc to a tidy 500 cc due to the 66.9 mm longer stroke, while the bore remains at 69 mm. Power increases from 47 horsepower to 54 horsepower, which is a very nice upgrade and gives the Chinchilla more punch against its old self and the rest of the entry-level cruiser crowd.
Chinese type-approval documents show some styling upgrades to the Benda Chinchilla 500.
Photo by: Benda
Styling-wise, things have been cleaned up, but oh boy, there’s a choice here that’s going to start a debate online. Gone are the stacked exhausts, replaced with a more conventional pipe on each side, and the rear fenders have been flared out for that classic cruiser look. It also steals the turbine-style headlight from Benda’s LFC700, which is a looker. And then there’s the fake wood trim on the tank insert and rear fender. Yes, fake wood. It’s giving away “your uncle’s vintage station wagon,” and whether it’s good or cursed is entirely up to you.
Zooming out, the bigger picture is much clearer. Honda’s Rebel lineup has basically become the default answer to the approachable cruiser, and the Benda is following the same recipe but coming in with extra toppings here. More power, fancy styling, optional automatic clutch, and a very attractive price. For reference, the current Chinchilla 500 is priced at approximately $6,149 USD. stand against The Rebel’s sticker price was $6,799 (plus $600 destination charge).And you’ll still have change for a good set of riding gear.
Of course, a spec sheet and aggressive pricing can only take you so far. Reliability, dealer network, parts availability, resale value and all the boring but important things are still the choice of big players. But if Benda’s mission was to make Honda look nervously in the rearview mirror, the new Chinchilla 500 has certainly sparked that little drama.
