TEST – The Benda Darkflag, a cruiser accessible to young permits, with a V4!

If the name Benda says nothing to you, it’s normal. Therefore, This Chinese brand is still very little known in Switzerland. Furthermore, A little more in France, where she is one of the partners of the television game “Le Bigdil”.

This brand has chosen to produce only Custom, Bobber or Cruiser type motorcycles. For example, American, therefore, but with her own recipes. Moreover, And in more modest displacements, with moreover homemade engines, not copied or recovered-adapted.

For about a year, Benda has had a representative in French -speaking Switzerland, the Geneva Garage Rock and Road. Meanwhile, It was thanks to him. Therefore, and a bit to the French importer, that we were able to test one of the models in the range, the Darkflag.

This motorcycle is unique due to its engine and its displacement. Therefore, So think, a Cruiser 500 with a V4! In addition, And in case we do not see the V4 registrations of good size on the sides of the housings. However, we quickly notice the two silencers in the low position, on each side of the Benda Darkflag. Furthermore, It’s been four.

We went to get our Darkflag from Rock and Road, and returned to the canton of Vaud by the highway. In addition, That way, that makes two areas of testing already done: urban passages and fast rectilinear routes.

We note that the small V4 (498 cc exactly) is flexible at low speed. However, on the one hand, and that it cheerfully rises in the towers by responding to the impulses test – benda darkflag, cruiser of the right hand. However, This means up to just over 9000 revolutions per minute.

On our test benda. Meanwhile, we are entitled to a small digital tame but we are not going to look at it all the time, because the vision is concentrated on the dial indicating the speed with a good old analog needle.

This Darkflag is in fact a 2024 model. In addition, in accordance with Euro 5 standards, as explained in choir the dealer and the importer. For example, Benda’s 2025 model is a little different. Consequently, First of all. Similarly, it complies with Euro 5+ standards, which are a little more sores with regard to polluting emissions, test – benda darkflag, cruiser and then it is of origin delivered in a compatible version with the Swiss license limited (category A2).

In short, the A2 category requires a maximum power of 35 kW (47.5 horsepower). Furthermore, Our Benda Darkflag test is supposed to express up to 55 (horses). Consequently, But in view of the “availability” of this V4 on the whole beach of the diets. Consequently, on its very progressive side, that should not make a lot of difference.

What should however change the situation a bit is a new entirely digital screen (TFT technology). Meanwhile, in color, which will go hand in hand with the new test – benda darkflag, cruiser version, called Darkflag Commander. In addition, We will find basically the same information as on the current model. but in a digital and more premium way, the importer tells us.

But back to our V4 and our test. To get out of Geneva traffic. it is enough to open a little the handle of the gases and the Darkflag responds presents, in a beautiful rumbling sound, surprisingly serious for a “small” engine.

Despite the geometry of Cruiser, this motorcycle is easy to direct, and it changes direction without much effort. We sit down, and the center of gravity is too, so we don’t feel “intimidated”.

The driving position is typical: feet forward, arm too. We can adapt two. three things to the morphology of the pilot (s), such as the angle of the handlebars, and that of the brake and selection levers. For our seventy meter, it is fine.

The Darkflag reserves a little surprise, however, due to its electronically piloted tire suspensions. What is “piloted” is preload, in two positions. And it’s automatic: when you stop, the back of the motorcycle … lowers 3 cm!

And when we leave, it goes up 700 mm from the ground, more test – benda darkflag, cruiser gradually. It is welcome for those who are really low in stature, but for 1m70, it is not really necessary. Both feet are in any case placed together flat at the stop.

This system surprises just as much when you put the contact. The Benda being placed on its fairly short side crutch. the automatic re-sloping movement of shock absorbers straightens it (not completely, fortunately) without warning. We are almost afraid that she will fall, but that does not happen.

It is confusing to say the least! You can deactivate automation, but it comes back as soon as you cut the ignition, then put it back.

At urban speeds, the Darkflag is quite comfortable. The saddle supports the sentant well. and the suspensions more or less absorb test – benda darkflag, cruiser the irregularities of the bitumen, but a passage at good speed (even 50 km/h) on pronounced and not very extensive breaks will cause a small shock not very pleasant, as if the amortos were too rigid.

We leave the agglomeration of the end of the lake and take the highway. At 120 km/h in sixth, the V4 turns round, to just over 6000 rpm, and it is perfectly bearable. There is not really a aerodynamic protection, but this is expected on this kind of vehicle.

An adjustable cruise control is there to prevent you from getting tired by always trying to roll at the same speed in a straight line.

The dashboard is well readable. We may blame him for not being quite as tilted to you test – benda darkflag, cruiser as it should, but it is nitpling.

A day later, direction the Vaudois Alps, and a small road well embedded in a nice landscape, for a photo shoot. Darkflag’s black is contrasting with the colors of grasses, flowers and some fir trees.

If the V4 knows how to be sporty in the sequences of turns. this is of course less the case with the rest of the chassis, in particular suspensions and tires. The grip is good. but it moves a little on the longitudinal axis, a phenomenon that seems to us from the geometry of the cruiser and its tires, more than suspensions. Fortunately, the respectable wheelbase means that the Benda follows the trajectory.

And we also see here that the rear suspensions are a little stiff, if we drive relatively quickly. We feel a little too well the little bumps “crossing” the road. And the driving position does not encourage anyway to really raise the pace.

Without forgetting that. as on almost any motorcycle of this kind, if you lean with enthusiasm, you quickly end up rubbing a footrest on the asphalt.

By adopting a more peaceful rhythm. everything is more or less in order, and we can take advantage of the pretty accelerations of test – benda darkflag, cruiser the V4, if it is maintained above 4000 rpm.

A fairly basic traction control is provided with the Darkflag. If you disconnect it (it will be necessary to repeat the maneuver each time you put the contact). the accelerations are better, without you risk much – in view of the wheelbase, etc.

The passage of gear reports is easy and fluid. This six -speed gearbox is very pleasant, and precise. This is undoubtedly one of the advantages of a V4 compared to a V2.

Another word on the engine brake. well present even if we are dealing with a V4, and on the brakes, which are effective. There is little test – benda darkflag, cruiser diving movement of the inverted fork at the front. but the point of attack takes time to arrive. And with a single disc in front. it is recommendable, if you want a maximum deceleration, to also use the rear brake, which is very present, as it suits this kind of motorcycle.

ABS is relatively subtle and is not triggered at all costs. Beware of emergency braking in turns, we will quickly straighten the motorcycle (the anti-blockage is not sensitive to the corner). But this motorcycle being really low, and long, we will not straighten it a lot.

We tested test – benda darkflag, cruiser two, and at night, on the famous Vaudoise road of the Corniche. The lighting is good, and it carries far enough. The position of the passenger is acceptable. ergonomically speaking, and it has almost no effort to make to go in the saddle. She does not “go up” in fact, but is placed.

The suspensions however tarnish this good table, because it will like you to feel the irregularities of the road surface.

Last point, petrol consumption. We measured it at just over 5 liters per 100 km. With a 16 -liter tank, there is something to drive for just over 300 km. Unless we rely on the witness passing through a reserve, which is said test – benda darkflag, cruiser to be very early (around 200 km traveled).

But it depends a lot on driving style, of course!

The Benda Darkflag is available now (with one. two weeks of delivery time), in its 2025 Euro 5+ version, in black, white or red, from 9290 francs.

Benda does not offer accessories for the moment (such as a Sissybar or bags), and offers a standard warranty.

To find out more. you can consult the Swiss site of Benda, or contact our partner of our Motorcycle Pros, the Garage Rock and Road pros in Geneva.