Photo: Autocarindia
Sometimes it’s rather hard to say what is the real brand name of a certain motorcycle, especially when dealing with an European brand which was bought by a Chinese group which also sells bikes under the Keeway badge. This is the reason why we’re a bit confused to see the Blackster 250 referred to as a Benelli bike by Indian media, even though we can clearly see it listed under the Keeway flag on official websites. Either way, since both Benelli and Keeway belong to the Chinese Qianjiang Group, it probably doesn’t matter that much to them, even though B and K are two completely different things.
However, we will stick to the facts. The Blackster 250 made appearance at the Benelli booth at India Bike Week 2015, proudly displaying its matte black livery and Keeway badge on the side covers. Truth be told, this quarter-liter cruiser looks really nice and could definitely give similar Japanese bikes a run for their money in the western markets…if it will ever make it there.
The cast alloy wheels and the ample seat add even more big-bike vibe to the Blackster 250, while the tank mounted instrument cluster and the forward foot controls complement the tidy look. We’re not sure who came up with the idea to install chrome exhausts on this bike, but ceramic black ones would have been a much smarter idea, stressing out the mean character of the Blackster. It doesn’t look necessarily bad, but it could have looked great.
The Blackster is definitely a reinterpretation of the Keeway Dorado Black Knight 250, so we are looking for 19 horsepower @5,800 rpm and 18.7 Nm (13.8 lb-ft) at 6,500 rpm for torque from the air-cooled v-twin. We can also assume that the 5-speed transmission was retained. The tank of the Black Knight can hold 13.5 liters (3.5 US gal) for fuel, and this should provide a very good range, especially as the dry weight is 135 kg (298 lb). The Blackster 250 is said to be available in India for around $3,200, which is €2,845, but in Europe or the US we’re never going to see such prices, unfortunately.
Classic big-bike styling and decent power might just do
First-time riders would definitely fall in love with this machine, as it is literally oozing styling elements which are borrowed from the big-bore segment. The beefy front wheel is neatly integrated in a fork with a very clever design. Even though the small-displacement category mandates thinner fork legs, the upper shrouds are a chunky as it gets and the Harley-esque plate makes everything look even more massive.The cast alloy wheels and the ample seat add even more big-bike vibe to the Blackster 250, while the tank mounted instrument cluster and the forward foot controls complement the tidy look. We’re not sure who came up with the idea to install chrome exhausts on this bike, but ceramic black ones would have been a much smarter idea, stressing out the mean character of the Blackster. It doesn’t look necessarily bad, but it could have looked great.
The Blackster is definitely a reinterpretation of the Keeway Dorado Black Knight 250, so we are looking for 19 horsepower @5,800 rpm and 18.7 Nm (13.8 lb-ft) at 6,500 rpm for torque from the air-cooled v-twin. We can also assume that the 5-speed transmission was retained. The tank of the Black Knight can hold 13.5 liters (3.5 US gal) for fuel, and this should provide a very good range, especially as the dry weight is 135 kg (298 lb). The Blackster 250 is said to be available in India for around $3,200, which is €2,845, but in Europe or the US we’re never going to see such prices, unfortunately.
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