Benda's Dark Flag 950 Brings a V4 to the Cruiser Fight
Benda's Dark Flag 950 is a 948cc V4 cruiser with 108.8 PS, a belt drive and Brembo brakes. Specs, colours and when it reaches Europe.
Almost every cruiser you can buy has a V-twin. Benda, a Chinese brand based in Hangzhou, is going the other way. Its new Dark Flag 950 uses a 948cc liquid-cooled, 16-valve V4, and it debuts at EICMA in Milan in November.
The brand published full European specifications on October 2, 2026. We have not ridden it; this is our read of the spec sheet.
The numbers
- Engine: 948cc V4, 16 valves, 67 x 67.2mm bore and stroke, 12.2:1 compression
- Power: 80 kW (108.77 PS) at 9,000 rpm
- Torque: 85 Nm at 8,000 rpm
- Gearbox and drive: six-speed with an anti-hopping clutch and a belt final drive
- Weight: 242 kg curb weight, 16-litre tank
- Seat height: 690mm, with a 1,590mm wheelbase
- Brakes: Brembo, dual 320mm front discs with radial four-piston calipers, 260mm rear disc, with ABS and traction control
- Tech: 3.6-inch TFT (800 nits), cruise control, idle shutdown, USB-A and USB-C
A V4 should feel smoother and rev higher than a typical V-twin, and the idle shutdown system cuts cylinders during idle and light load, according to Benda. That is the pitch: cruiser looks with a different engine character.
The design
It follows the cruiser script: a low, long silhouette, a sculpted tank, forward foot controls and wide bars. Benda adds a brown leather seat and a tank strap with a metal badge, and a patterned two-tone finish on the tank and rear fender in the white version. A dedicated passenger seat and footrests are standard. Colours are Obsidian Black, Glimmering White, Burgundy Red, Mountain Silver and Prism Grey, and the colour range can vary by market.
Who it is for
The rider who likes the cruiser look but wants something other than the usual V-twin, and who does not mind buying a newer name. A 242 kg bike with a 690mm seat is approachable for shorter riders. Brembo brakes, cruise control and a TFT screen are the kind of kit that is usually optional at this size.
The catch
There is no price yet, no US plan, and no word on service coverage outside the European markets Benda names. A first-year model from a brand new to the segment is also a bigger risk than a Japanese or American cruiser with a long dealer network. Wait for real price and reviews.
What is next
The bike is shown at EICMA with Benda's new line-up, and the first European deliveries are scheduled for the end of November 2026. See the Benda Dark Flag 950 page for the full spec sheet. For other new bikes, read our roundup of new motorcycles worth watching and our piece on the 2027 Suzuki GSX-S1000. More in the Motors section and the motorcycles archive.
FAQ
How much power does the Benda Dark Flag 950 make?
Benda lists 80 kW (108.77 PS) at 9,000 rpm and 85 Nm of torque at 8,000 rpm from its 948cc V4, in its EU5+ homologated specification.
When can you buy the Dark Flag 950?
Benda says the first European markets get it from the end of November 2026, after its EICMA reveal. Pricing had not been published when we checked on October 6, 2026.
Is the Dark Flag 950 sold in the US?
Benda's announcement covers European launch only. We found no US availability or pricing.
