Italian brand MBP to launch in India at Auto Expo 2023

AARI (Adishwar Auto Ride India Pvt Ltd) currently retails 26 different bikes through five different manufacturers and that number is all set to grow with the launch of Italian-origin (Chinese-owned) brand Moto Bologna Passione. MBP will make its Indian debut at Auto Expo 2023, and its maiden product in the Indian market will be the M502N naked bike. Alongside this, Keeway will be launching the SR250 neo-retro bike in India at the Auto Expo.

1. MBP M502N powered by 486cc 51hp, 45Nm parallel twin engine
2. AARI will handle distribution, like with Benelli, Keeway, Zontes
3. Keeway to launch SR250 neo-retro bike at Auto Expo as well

MBP India debut, M502N naked bike: details

MBP is an Italian origin brand, which is under Chinese ownership (similiar to Benelli and Moto Morini) and come to India under the umbrella of AARI. Its maiden product will be a mid-capacity naked bike, the M502N (that will be unveiled at Auto Expo 2023).

The M502N is powered by a liquid-cooled, 486cc, parallel-twin engine making 51hp at 8,500rpm and 45Nm at 6,750rpm that's paired to a 6-speed unit. Suspension is courtesy of KYB, with a preload-adjustable fork and monoshock. Braking hardware is supplied by J.Juan, with twin discs at the front and a single disc at the rear, which come mated to dual-channel ABS. The 120/60-ZR17 (front) and 160/60-ZR17 (rear) cast alloy rim sizes and Pirelli Angel GT tyres found here are the same as the Benelli 502C. Seat height stands at 790mm and unladen, the M502N weighs, 198kg.

When it is launched here, it will rival the likes of the Benelli Leoncino and the Moto Morini Seiemmezzo 6 ½.  

Keeway SR250: details

True to its word when it made its Indian debut, Keeway will be launching its eighth product in the Indian market – the SR250. Keeway already sells the SR125 neo-retro bike in India so in all likelihood, this will be a similarly styled bike with a larger displacement engine.