Cosmopolitan Motors: Benelli mopeds and motorcycles were imported to the USA from about 1965 to 1988 by Cosmopolitan Motors in Hatboro PA. Cosmo sold the Automatic, Maverick, 3FA, Blazer, G2 and C2 pedal-start mopeds, and the 3VK kick-start moped. They also sold many different Benelli mini cycles and trail bikes, plus Benelli 250 twin, 250 and 500cc 4-cylinder, 750 and 900cc 6-cylinder sport motorcycles.
J.C. Penney: In the late 1960’s and early 70’s JC Penney department stores sold Benelli Buzzer, Dynamo, Hurricane, Volcano mini-cycles and Cougar trail bike in their auto centers.
Montgomery Ward: The Wards department store line was named “Riverside”. The earliest Wards Riverside models were scooters made by Japan’s Mitsubishi and Italy’s Bianchi companies, and mopeds made by France’s Motobecane. Those pre-1965 France-made Wards Riverside mopeds are completely different from the 1965-67 Benelli-made Wards Riverside mopeds.
Wards Riverside Benelli: In 1965, Wards changed manufacturers and opted to sell mostly machines from the Italian company Benelli. Benelli offered mopeds and a line of single cylinder motorcycles 50-360cc. The Benelli line plus a Lambretta scooter allowed Wards to compete in the marketplace with the Austrian Puch mopeds and motorcycles that Sears was selling under their Allstate brand.
By 1970 the moped and motorcycle sales went away for the department store retailers, and for European manufacturers in general, primarily due to the Japanese invasion with highly engineered, reliable and powerful 4 stroke motorcycles under the likes of Honda, Yamaha and Suzuki. Also, in 1970 the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) was created to oversee and combat increasing pollution and air quality issues. Smokey two stroke motorcycles and other high emission vehicles would be the first targets.
Benelli Motorcycles USA 1965 to 2008
Here are the Benelli motorcycles sold in the USA, with specs from motorcyclespecs.co.za.
Wards Riverside models are included. More info is at Brands/Italy/Wards Riverside.
Over-65cc are colored light grey, 50-65cc are dark blue, 50cc mopeds are red.
1965 Benelli
1965 Wards
1965
Benelli model name xxxxx size engine 000 front tires rear
Benelli 50 Fireball 50mph x 49cc 4MS2T50/1 2.25-18 2.25-18
Benelli 125 Monaco scooter 124cc 3V2T125/1 2.50-16 2.50-16
Benelli 125 Cobra 68mph 124cc 4M2T125/1 2.75-18 3.00-18
Benelli 125 Sprite xxxxxxx 124cc 4M4T125/1 3.00-18 3.25-18
Benelli 200 Sprite xxxxxxx 198cc 4M4T200/1 3.00-18 3.25-18
1965-66 Wards
Riverside 250-D long seat 49cc FA2T50/1 2.25-18 2.25-18
Riverside 350-S scooter xx 49cc 3VK2T50/1 2.25-16 2.25-16
Riverside 450-SS sport bike 49cc 4MS2T50/1 2.25-18 2.25-18
Riverside 125 Lightweight 124cc 4M2T125/1 2.75-18 3.00-18
Riverside 125 Scrambler x 124cc 4M2T125/1 2.75-18 3.00-18
1966 Benelli
1966 Wards
1966
Benelli model name xxxxx size engine 000 front tires rear
Benelli 50 Fireball 4.5hp xx 49cc 4MS2T50/1 2.25-18 2.25-18
Benelli 125 Monaco scooter 125cc 3V2T125/1 2.50-16 2.50-16/1 0.00-00
Benelli 125 Cobra xxxxxx 124cc 4M2T125/1 2.75-18 3.00-18 0.00-00
Benelli 125 Cob. Scrambler 124cc 4M2T125/1 2.75-18 3.00-180.00-00
Benelli 200 Sprite xxxxxx 198cc 4M4T200/1 3.00-18 3.25-18
Riverside 250-D long seat 49cc FA2T50/1 2.25-18 2.25-18
Riverside 350-S scooter xx 49cc 3VK2T50/1 2.25-16 2.25-16
Riverside 450-SS sport bike 49cc 4MS2T50/1 2.25-18 2.25-18
Riverside 125 Lightweight 124cc 4M2T125/1 2.75-18 3.00-18
Riverside 175 Lightweight 170cc 4M2T175/1 2.75-18 3.00-18
Riverside 125 Scrambler 124cc 4M2T125/1 2.75-18 3.00-18
Riverside 175 Scrambler 170cc 4M2T175/1 2.75-18 3.00-18
Riverside 250 Mojave x 245cc 4M4T250/1 3.00-18 3.25-18
1967 Benelli
1967 Wards
1967
Benelli model name xxxx size engine 000 front tires rear
Benelli 50 Automatic xxxx 49cc GM2T50/1 2.25-16 2.25-16
Benelli 50 Dynamo Compact 49cc 4M2T50/ 3.50-8 3.50-8
Benelli 50 Fireball xxxxxxx 49cc 4MS2T50/1 2.25-18 2.25-18
Benelli 50 Fireball Trail xxx 49cc 4MS2T50/1 2.50-19 2.75-17?
Benelli 125 Cobra xxxxxx 124cc 4M2T125/1 2.75-18 3.00-18
Benelli 125 Cobra Trail xx 124cc 4M2T125/1 2.75-18 3.00-18
Benelli 125 Sprite xxxxxx 124cc 4M4T125/1 2.75-18 2.75-18
Benelli 200 Sprite xxxxxx 198cc 4M4T200/1 3.00-18 3.25-18
Benelli 250 Barracuda xx 245cc 4M4T250/1 3.00-18 3.25-18
1967 Wards
1967 Benelli
Riverside 150-D solo seat 49cc FA2T50/1 2.25-18 2.25-18
Riverside 250-D long seat 49cc FA2T50/1 2.25-18 2.25-18
Riverside 350-S scooter xx 49cc 3VK2T50/1 2.25-16 2.25-16
Riverside 450-SS sport bike 49cc 4MS2T50/1 2.25-18 2.25-18
Riverside 125 Lightweight 124cc 4M2T125/1 2.75-18 3.00-18
Riverside 175 Lightweight 170cc 4M2T175/1 2.75-18 3.00-18
Riverside 125 Scrambler 124cc 4M2T125/1 2.75-18 3.00-18
Riverside 175 Scrambler 170cc 4M2T175/1 2.75-18 3.00-18
Riverside 250 Mojave x 245cc 4M4T250/1 3.00-18 3.25-18
1968 Benelli
1967-68 Benelli
1968
Benelli model name xxxxxx size engine 000 front tires rear
Benelli 50 Dynamo Compact 49cc 4M2T50/1 3.50-8 3.50-8
Benelli 50 Fireball xxxxxxxxx 49cc 4MS2T50/1 2.25-18 2.25-18
Benelli 50 Fireball Trail xxxxx 49cc 4MS2T50/1 2.50-19 2.75-17?
Benelli 125 Cobra xxxxxxxx 124cc 4M2T125/1 2.75-18 3.00-18
Benelli 125 Cobra Scrambler 124cc 4M2T125/1 2.75-18 3.00-18
Benelli 125 Sprite xxxxxxxx 124cc 4M4T125/1 2.75-18 2.75-18
1968-69
El Diablo
1968 Benelli
1968 Wards
Benelli 125 Sprite California 124cc 5M4T125/1 2.75-18 2.75-18
Benelli 250 Barracuda xxxx 245cc 4M4T250/1 3.00-18 3.25-18
Benelli 250 Barracuda Calif. 245cc 5M4T250/1 3.00-18 3.25-18
Benelli 650 Tornado xxxxxx 643cc 5M4T650/2 3.50-18 4.00-18
Riverside 450-SS sport bike 49cc 4MS2T50/1 2.25-18 2.25-18
Riverside 125 Lightweight x 124cc 4M2T125/1 2.75-18 3.00-18
Riverside 260 Mojave xxx 245cc 4M4T260/1 3.00-18 3.25-18
Riverside 360 Mojave xxx 356cc 4M4T360/1 3.00-18 3.25-18
Late 1968, Sprite and Barracuda renamed to El Diablo.
Benelli 125 El Diablo xxxxx 124cc 4M4T125/1 2.75-18 3.00-18?
Benelli 125 El Diablo xxxxx 124cc 5M4T125/1 2.75-18 3.00-18?
Benelli 200 El Diablo xxxxx 198cc 4M4T200/1 3.00-18 3.25-18
Benelli 250 El Diablo xxxxx 245cc 4M4T250/1 3.00-18 3.25-18
Benelli 250 El Diablo xxxxx 245cc 5M4T250/1 3.00-18 3.25-18
1968 Dynamo Compact
4M engine
ID prefix CES
’68 D. Compact
1968 Dyn. Compact
4M engine
1969 Penneys
1969 Benelli
1969
Benelli model name xxxx size engine 000 front tires rear
Benelli 50 Buzzer xxxxxxxx 49cc GK2T50/1 3.00-5 3.50-5
Benelli 50 Dynamo Compact 49cc 4M2T50/1 3.50-8 3.50-8
Benelli 50 Dynamo Trail xx 49cc 4MS2T50/1 3.00-10 3.00-10
Benelli 65 Hornet xxxxxxxx 59cc GK652T/1 2.75-9 2.75-9
Benelli 50 Super Mini xxxxx 49cc 4MS2T50/1 2.25-14 2.50-14?
Benelli 50 Maverick, xxxxxx 49cc GM2T50/1 2.25-16 2.25-16
Benelli 125 Cobra xxxxxxx 124cc 4M2T125/1 2.75-18 3.00-18
Benelli 125 El Diablo xxxx 124cc 4M4T125/1 2.75-18 3.00-18?
Benelli Mini Cycle Tires
Benelli 125 El Diablo xxxx 124cc 5M4T125/1 2.75-18 3.00-18?
Benelli 200 El Diablo xxxx 198cc 4M4T200/1 3.00-18 3.25-18
Benelli 250 El Diablo xxxx 245cc 4M4T250/1 3.00-18 3.25-18
Benelli 250 El Diablo xxxx 245cc 5M4T250/1 3.00-18 3.25-18
Benelli 650 Tornado xxxx 643cc 5M4T650/2 3.50-18 4.00-18
Riverside 125 Lightweight 124cc 4M2T125/1 2.75-18 3.00-18
Riverside 260 Mojave xx 245cc 4M4T260/1 3.00-18 3.25-18
Riverside 360 Mojave xx 356cc 4M4T360/1 3.00-18 3.25-18
1969 Maverick
GM engine
1969 Buzzer
GK engine
1969 D. Compact
4M engine
’69 D. Compact
4M engine
1969 Dynamo Trail
4M engine
early 1970 Benelli
1970 Penneys
1970
Benelli model name xx size engine 000 front tires rear
Benelli 65 Buzzer xxxxxx 59cc GK652T/1 3.00-5 3.50-5
Benelli 65 Buzzer Junior 59cc GK652T/1 3.00-5 3.50-5
Benelli 65 Hornet xxxxx 59cc GK652T/1 2.75-9 2.75-9
Benelli 65 Dynamo Trail 59cc 4M652T/1 3.00-10 3.00-10
Benelli 65 Dyn. Compact 59cc 4M652T/1 3.50-8 3.50-8
Benelli 65 Woods Bike x 59cc 4M652T/1 3.00-10 3.00-10
Benelli 65 Cougar xxxxx 59cc 4M652T/1 2.50-18 2.75-17
late 1970 Benelli
Benelli 180 Volcano xxx170cc 4M2T175/1 3.00-10 3.00-10
Benelli 125 Cobra Trail 124cc 4M2T125/1 2.75-19 3.00-18?
Benelli 125 Sprite xxxx 124cc 5M4T125/1 2.75-18 2.75-18
Benelli 200 El Diablo xx 198cc 4M4T200/1 3.00-18 3.25-18
Benelli 250 Super Sport 245cc 4M4T250/1 3.00-18 3.25-18
Benelli 650 Tornado xx 643cc 5M4T650/2 3.50-18 4.00-18
In late 1970 the El Diablo name went back to Sprite.
1970 Buzzer 65
GK65 engine
frame# prefix PES
1970 Dynamo Trail
4M65 engine
1971 Benelli
1971 Benelli
1971
Benelli model name xx size engine 000 front tires rear
Benelli 65 Buzzer xxxx 59cc GK652T/1 3.00-5 3.50-5
Benelli 65 Buzzer Jr xxx 59cc GK652T/1 3.00-5 3.50-5
Benelli 65 Hornet xxx x 59cc GK652T/1 2.75-9 2.75-9
Benelli 65 Hurricane x 59cc GK652T/1 3.50-7 3.50-7
Benelli 65 Dynamo Trail 59cc 4M652T/1 3.00-10 3.00-10
Benelli 65 Woodsbike x 59cc 4M652T/1 3.00-10 3.00-10
Benelli 65 D. Compact 59cc 4M652T/1 3.50-8 3.50-8
Benelli 65 Mini Enduro 59cc 4M652T/1 2.50-14 2.75-14?
1971 Penneys
Mini Enduro
Benelli 65 Cougar xxxx 59cc 4M652T/1 2.50-18 2.75-17
Benelli 180 Volcano x 170cc 4M2T175/1 3.00-10 3.00-10
Benelli 125 Cobra Trail 124cc 4M2T125/1 2.75-19 3.00-18?
Benelli 175 Enduro xx 170cc 4M2T175/1 2.75-19 3.00-18?
Benelli 250 Supersport 245cc 5M4T250/1 3.00-18 3.25-18
Benelli 650 Tornado 643cc 5M4T650/2 3.50-18 4.00-18
1971 Hurricane
GK65 engine
1971 Hornet
GK65 engine
1971 Woodsbike
4M65 engine
1972 Benelli
1972
Benelli model name xx size engine 000 front tires rear
Benelli 65 Buzzer xx 59cc GK652T/1 3.00-5 3.50-5
Benelli 65 Buzzer Jr 59cc GK652T/1 3.00-5 3.50-5
Benelli 65 Dynamo II 59cc 4M652T/1 3.00-10 3.00-10
Benelli 65 Compact II 59cc 4M652T/1 3.50-8 3.50-8
Benelli 65 Woods II 59cc 4M652T/1 3.00-10 3.00-10
Benelli 65 Hurricane 59cc GK652T/1 3.50-7 3.50-7
Benelli 65 Mini Enduro 59cc 4M652T/1 2.50-14 2.75-14?
Benelli 65 Cougar xxxx 59cc 4M652T/1 2.50-18 2.75-17
Benelli 180 Volcano 170cc 4M2T175/1 3.00-10 3.00-10
1972 Dynamo II
1972 Benelli Volcano
Benelli 175 Enduro xx 170cc 4M2T175/1 2.75-19 3.00-18?
Benelli 250 Supersport 245cc 5M4T250/1 3.00-18 3.25-18
Benelli 650 Tornado 643cc 5M4T650/2 3.50-18 4.00-18
In 1972 the Dynamo gas tank and seat were improved
with a better appearance, making it blend in to the seat.
The 1972 Volcano shown was restored by C. Smolen
It’s a 175cc 4-spd, 14hp, 65mph. Only 200 were made.
1973 Benelli
1973 Banshee, Panther
1973
Benelli model name xx size engine 000 front tires rear
Benelli 65 Buzzer xxxxx 59cc GK652T/1 3.00-5 3.50-5
Benelli 65 Dynamo II x 59cc 4M652T/1 3.00-10 3.00-10
Benelli 65 Mini Enduro 59cc 4M652T/1 2.50-14 2.75-14?
Benelli 90 Banshee xxx 89cc 5M2T90/1 2.75-18 3.00-18?
Benelli 125 Panther xx 124cc 5M2T125/1 2.50-21 3.80-18
Benelli 250 Phantom x 231cc 5M2T250/2 3.00-18 3.25-18
Benelli 650 Tornado x 643cc 5M4T650/2 3.50-18 4.00-18
1974 Benelli 3FA, short for
versione 3 Frizone Automatico
1974
Benelli model name xx size engine 000 front tires rear
Benelli Moped 3FA xxx 49cc FA2T50/1 2.25-16 2.25-16
Benelli Moped 3VK xxx 49cc 3VK2T50/1 2.25-16 2.25-16
Benelli 65 Dynamo Trail 59cc 4M652T/1 3.00-10 3.00-10
Benelli 90 Banshee xxx 89cc 5M2T90/1 2.75-18 3.00-18?
Benelli 125 Panther xx 124cc 5M2T125/1 2.50-21 3.80-18
1974 Dynamo Trail
4M65 engine
Benelli 250 Phantom x 231cc 5M2T250/2 3.00-18 3.25-18 30hp 100mph
Benelli 650 Tornado x 643cc 5M4T650/2 3.50-18 4.00-18
1975 Benelli
1975 Benelli 3FA
1975
Benelli model name xx size engine 000 front tires rear
Benelli Moped 3FA xxx 49cc FA2T50/1 2.25-16 2.25-16
Benelli Moped 3VK xxx 49cc 3VK2T50/1 2.25-16 2.25-16
Benelli 65 Dynamo Trail 59cc 4M652T/1 3.00-10 3.00-10
Benelli 90 Banshee xxx 89cc 5M2T90/1 2.75-18 3.00-18?
Benelli 250 Phantom x 231cc 5M2T250/2 3.00-18 3.25-18
Benelli 500 Quattro xx 499cc 5M4T500/4 3.25-18 4.10-18
In 1975, the Dynamo II went back to being called Dynamo Trail.
1976 750 Sei
1976 50 Sprint
’76 50 Sprint
1976
Benelli model name xx size engine 000 front tires rear
Benelli 50 Blazer xxxxxxx 49cc G22T50/1 2.25-16 2.25-16
Benelli 50 Sprint xxxxxxx 49cc 5MS2T50/1 2.25-18 2.25-18
Benelli 65 Dynamoxxxxx 59cc 4M652T/1 3.00-10 3.00-10
Benelli 90 Banshee xxxx 89cc 5M2T90/1 2.75-18 3.00-18?
Benelli 250 Phantom xx 231cc 5M2T250/2 3.00-18 3.25-18
Benelli 500 Quattro xxx 499cc 5M4T500/4 3.25-18 4.10-18
Benelli 750 Sei xxxxxxx 747cc 5M4T750/6 3.25-18 4.10-18
1977 Benelli
1977 Benelli Blazer
1977
Benelli model name xxxsize engine 000 front tires rear
Benelli 50 Blazer xxxxxxx 49cc G22T50/1 2.25-16 2.25-16
Benelli 65 Dynamo xxxx 59cc 4M652T/1 3.00-10 3.00-10
Benelli 250 Phantom xx 231cc 5M2T250/2 2.75-18 3.00-18
Benelli 500 Quattro xxx 499cc 5M4T500/4 3.25-18 4.10-18
Benelli 650 Tornado xxx 643cc 5M4T650/2 3.50-18 4.00-18
Benelli 750 Sei xxxxxxx 747cc 5M4T750/6 3.25-18 4.10-18
1978 500/4 and 750/6
1978
Benelli model name xxxsize engine 000 front tires rear
Benelli 50 G2 xxxxxxxxxx 49cc G22T50/1 2.25-16 2.25-16
Benelli 250 Phantom xx 231cc 5M2T250/2 2.75-18 3.00-18
Benelli 500 Quattro xxx 499cc 5M4T500/4 3.25-18 4.10-18
Benelli 750 Sei xxxxxxx 747cc 5M4T750/6 3.25-18 4.10-18
Moto Guzzi 50 Robin xxx 49cc G22T50/1 2.25-16 2.25-16
1978 Benelli G2
1978-80 Benelli G2
1978 Guzzi Robin
1979 Benelli G2
restored by B. Small
1979 Benelli G2
1979
Benelli model name xxxsize engine 000 front tires rear
Benelli 50 G2 xxxxxxxxxx 49cc G22T50/1 2.25-16 2.25-16
Benelli 250 Phantom xx 231cc 5M2T250/2 2.75-18 3.00-18
Benelli 504 Sport xxxxx 499cc 5M4T500/4 3.25-18 4.10-18
Benelli 750 Sei xxxxxxx 747cc 5M4T750/6 100/90-18 120/90-18
Benelli 900 Sei xxxxxxx 906cc 5M4T900/6 100/90-18 120/90-18
Moto Guzzi 50 Robin xxx 49cc G22T50/1 2.25-16 2.25-16
In 1979 the 500 Quattro got a disc brake, mag wheels, and was renamed 504 Sport
1980 Moto Guzzi
1980
Benelli model name xxxsize engine 000 front tires rear
Benelli 50 G2 xxxxxxxxxx 49cc G22T50/1 2.25-16 2.25-16
Benelli 504 Sport xxxxx 499cc 5M4T500/4 3.00S18 3.50S18
Benelli 900 Sei xxxxxxx 906cc 5M4T900/6 100/90-18 120/90-18
Moto Guzzi 50 Robin xxx 49cc G22T50/1 2.25-16 2.25-16
1981
Benelli model name xxxsize engine 000 front tires rear
Benelli 50 G2 xxxxxxxxxx 49cc G22T50/1 2.25-16 2.25-16
Benelli 50 C2 long seat xx 49cc G22T50/1 2.25-16 2.25-16
Benelli 254 Quattro xxx 231cc 5M4T250/4 2.75-18 3.00-18
Benelli 504 Sport xxxxx 499cc 5M4T500/4 3.00S18 3.50S18
Benelli 900 Sei xxxxxxx 906cc 5M4T900/6 100/90-18 120/90-18
1983 Benelli 900 Sei
1982 to 1985
Benelli model name xxxsize engine 000 front tires rear
Benelli 50 G2 xxxxxxxxxx 49cc G22T50/1 2.25-16 2.25-16
Benelli 50 C2 long seat xx 49cc G22T50/1 2.25-16 2.25-16
Benelli 900 Sei xxxxxxx 906cc 5M4T900/6 100/90-18 120/90-18
After 1982, two-stroke on-road over-50cc new motorcycle sales were not allowed in the US.
1988 Benelli 900 Sei
1986 to 1988
Benelli model name xxxsize engine 000 front tires rear
Benelli 900 Sei xxxxxxx 906cc 5M4T900/6 100/90-18 120/90-18
1989 to 1999
No USA models
2000 Tornado 900S
2000 to 2007
Benelli model name xxx size engine 000 front tires rear
Benelli 900S Tornado Tre 898cc 6M4T900/3 120/70-17 190/50-17
During the ten years of Benelli absence in the USA, motorcycle technology improved. The 1988 Sei 900 had 80hp, while the 2000 Tornado 900 had 140hp, 75% more powerful, despite having half as many cylinders!
2008
Benelli model name xxxxxx xxx xxx xxxx size engine 000 front tires rear
Benelli 900 Tornado Naked Tre xxxxxxxx 898cc 6M4T1130/3 120/70-17 180/55-17
Benelli 1130 Tornado Tre xxxxxx xxxx xxx 1131cc 6M4T1130/3 120/70-17 190/50-17
Benelli 1130 Tre K Totnadoxxxx xxx xxxxx 1131cc 6M4T1130/3 120/70-17 180/55-17
Benelli 1130 Tornado Naked Tre Sport Evo 1131cc 6M4T1130/3 120/70-17 180/55-17 or 200/55-17
The 2009 and all other years Benelli USA models and specs can be viewed at totalmotorcycle.com.