Benelli TRK 502 X 2018, a crazy price compared to the substance of a true crossover! [ROAD TEST]

A year after the debut of the standard version of the TRK 502, Benelli is expanding the range with the "X" version, a new medium-sized traveler in the adventure version. Motorcycles appreciated by the most demanding travellers, who do not like to place limits on their undertakings, but also by those who choose them for their fashionable and captivating look. This new version, presented at Eicma 2017, is a medium that it shares with the standard version (here is the link to our test) the 2-cylinder in-line engine, the same as the Benelli Leoncino. We then find many other details designed for off road routes, with different suspension settings, 19" front rim, more ground clearance and a higher saddle. High handlebar motorcycles are the ones that have been selling very well in recent years and Benelli, with this new version, does not want to be outdone, aiming to be a protagonist in the European market. The competition is certainly fierce, but the Pesaro company, with a motorbike offered at a decidedly attractive price and with a wealth of standard equipment, is quite tempting. Whether we like it or not we will see it in the coming months, but it brings elements to the table that can only increase curiosity. But let's go in order.

Touring design, but with an offroad character

A quick glance is enough to understand that the Benelli TRK 502 It has a very personal look, with a strong front end and a solid motorcycle appearance, with muscular lines that are sure to attract true touring enthusiasts. The voluminous front has a double element headlight for the position light, LED, as well as both the direction indicators and the rear light. The tank has a generous capacity of 20 liters and gives the bike aggressiveness, guaranteeing, among other things, approximately 500 km of autonomy. The rear mudguard is fixed to the lateral swingarm arm (swinging), as seen on many other competitor motorcycles. For off-road use, comfortable hand guards are fitted as standard, in case of a somewhat aggressive countryside trip. The high fairing, to guarantee maximum protection, always offers perfect visibility and good protection from air flows. There is also a USB socket located on the driver's left side for charging the phone or for a GPS navigator. The instrument panel is simple, but quite complete.

Frame and chassis

The handlebar, adjustable in distance from the saddle, is wide and well spaced from it, designed to give greater comfort and to give the rider an upright position with his arms comfortably flexed. Everything guarantees greater stability of the front on bumpy and unpaved sections. The engine of the Benelli TRK 502 If you want a more aggressive ride, the TRK 502 X has a different suspension setting compared to the standard version. In fact it is designed for off road use and therefore has different suspensions. At the front we find an upside-down fork with 50 mm stanchions, in our opinion a good compromise, which ensures the bike has the right handling, directionality and comfort. While at the rear we find a central shock absorber, adjustable in hydraulics, both in extension and in compression and spring preload, which makes driving safe on bumpy sections, with maximum ease. The saddle is placed 850 mm from the ground, instead of the 800 of the standard version and is very comfortable. The knees are quite bent, but the legs are not affected, even when riding for a long time. Whoever sits in the back is not too high and their legs remain well extended (I am 1.75m tall). Then the ground clearance changes, which now measures 220 mm, 30 more than the standard version. Lovers of details will certainly notice the position of the exhaust, with a refined and raised style compared to the basic TRK 502. The Benelli TRK 502 At the front we find a 19″, which enhances the off road spirit of the TRK At the rear we find a 17" rim, also in aluminum alloy and fitted with 110/80 and 150/70 tires (Metzeler Tourance) respectively, thus guaranteeing greater safety even in the most difficult situations. The weight is well placed, but becomes substantial, with 235 kg in running order.

The Benelli TRK 502 Here a small step backwards has certainly been taken, but the braking, controlled by the ABS system, is ready to respond. Its power is decent, as long as you pull the lever hard. The rear system, a single 320 mm disc (also with ABS) with a single-piston floating caliper, is effective. Braking is immediate and controllable, the drive wheel locks only if desired.

The engine is the same as the Leoncino, well made and capable of having fun off-road

As mentioned, the Benelli TRK 502
As for performance, with a bore of 69 mm and a stroke of 66,8 mm, it guarantees a maximum power of 47,6 HP (35 kW, exactly like the limit for new drivers) at 8.500 rpm, with a maximum torque of 46 Nm at 6.000 rpm. The clutch is multi-disc in oil bath. The engine, generous and capable of entertaining even with its almost 50 horsepower, is capable of forgiving almost everything and is manageable even by the few experts and those who are novices with motorbikes of this size. It can almost be defined as an engine with a dual personality, round, but with a lively delivery between 3.000 and 6.000 rpm. It manages to provide a very smooth progression, starting from 3.000 rpm, and the throttle can be opened decisively without hesitation, without having to throttle to avoid the on-off effect, which is almost absent.

The price? We can define it as decidedly aggressive, as well as interesting and strategic for the relaunch, which has now become an evident reality, of the little lion of Pesaro. We are talking about only 5.990 Euros, something that essentially puts it on the top step of the podium in terms of quality / price, or even better, equipment / price. Finding such a complete crossover for less than 6 thousand euros is not at all easy. It is offered in three colors: white, black and red. For the price of a medium-sized scooter, you take home a crossover that is perfect even for long journeys, without fearing off-road routes. Among the options we obviously find the side bag kit, branded GIVI and a higher and more protective fairing, also from the Brescia company.

Our test

Once on the saddle, despite a weight of 235 kg in running order, the bike highlights great maneuverability. The possibility of easily placing your feet on the ground guarantees safety and stability, even when maneuvering when stationary. Well balanced, it has a notable steering angle and allows you to turn in very narrow spaces, without any worries. Once the ignition button is pressed, the engine offers a decidedly pleasant sound. Once we set off for our test, we noticed after a couple of kilometers that the seat was comfortable and comfortable, guaranteeing the correct position of the knees inside the tank and ensuring immediate confidence in driving even for the less experienced, giving a feeling of lightness and agility that instills confidence, as if you have known the bike for a long time. The saddle is comfortable and the good aerodynamic protection is appreciated. We immediately notice that the Benelli TRK 502 X is capable of tackling both short and long radius curves with ease. It's perfect and quick even when changing direction, despite the 19" front wheel, thanks also to the 110/80 front tire and it's a blast to ride on mixed terrain.

The accelerator response is very soft and sweet in picking up, it extends well up to 8.000 rpm, but it gives its best in the medium revs, where even with a high gear, it manages to take you out of corners when accelerating. On guided and fast sections, when the pace becomes interesting, you discover a fork that works to perfection and which, while guaranteeing excellent comfort, maintains contact between the wheel and the asphalt which ensures safety, as well as speed in descending fold, where it allows notable angles. The front doesn't show any signs of widening, nor does the set-up seem to change in any way. The 6-speed gearbox shifts smoothly and is smooth and smooth even when downshifting. The clutch lever is not at all hard to pull, on the contrary, both when starting from a standstill and during our journey, both on and off road, it made our task easier. The front braking system is promoted, but only with satisfactory results. It is also effective, but it is not particularly incisive. As for the rear, the single disc guarantees decent braking, with the possibility of deactivating the ABS for off-road riding, while it is not possible to do so at the front. Moving away from the urban context, we were able to appreciate the Benelli TRK 502 For the more savvy you can enjoy some nice sideways, which enhances riding in these contexts, without becoming dangerous, thanks to the rounded delivery of the twin-cylinder. With the ABS removed at the rear, we can drift easily even on entry, using the brake to set the curve and playing with the accelerator on exit. In our opinion, the new arrival in the Benelli house is a "total" touring motorbike, which loves to travel kilometers in any condition, but which is offered at a price never seen before (or almost). We'll see, but it's easy to predict interesting positions for her in the sales rankings in the coming months!

Tester clothing:

Jacket, pants, gloves and boots: Alpinestars
Helmet: Scorpion Exo ADX-1 Dual