Benelli TRK 502X India Review, First Ride

Enchanting –

• 500cc adventure bike that is priced well
• Docile and good exhaust note equipped engine
• Comfortable and easy to ride
• Warranty and after sales reach high

Unsatisfying –

• Kerb weight bogs down performance
• Road focused geometry and chassis setup for an off-road bike

Benelli in India has had an interesting start and sudden stop for a brief moment. The Indian partner went through a rough pace after setting a massive base in terms of outlet and lineup of high-end motorcycles which did well for some time. However, the manufacturer found another partner for the country and is back with the Mahavir group which is originally based in Hyderabad is already synonym with the automotive scenario as it has dealerships of cars around the country.

It wants to start the innings back with interesting set of motorcycle that the brand Benelli showcased at multiple autoshows throughout the globe. This includes a list of 500 and 700cc range of motorcycle. Kicking of the right segment and cubic capacity of motorcycles are the TRK 502 and TRK 502X which have been long teased to the Indian consumer. They were launched recently and we have finally ridden them. How are they? We find out!

Design

There isn’t much to digest when it comes to elements as a whole, the bike is more than a handful for sure. The front has a small beak, tiny seat of headlamps which have LED DRL in them and normal Halogen lights. Side profile has a massive tank, lot of tubing all around the motorcycle which includes the crash guard, the chassis, the sub frame for almost everything.

Panniers, exhaust, wind screen and grab rails which has a luggage carrier are also mounted on a set of tubings. The rear gets a large LED tail-lamp. The slim and long exhaust hidden behind the panniers and spoke wheel which add the visual appeal of an off-roading bike.

Speedo and Switches

The cluster comes from the 302R and doesn’t get much in terms of features. It misses out on an entire bunch of fuel-efficiency parameters. However, it does with the usual odometer, trip meters, gear shift indicator, clock and tell-tale lights along with warning lights for battery and engine temperature. Switches are of good quality and feel precise and there is also a hazard light button on the right side.

Ergonomics are of a comfortable bike with seat cushioning on the softer side for rider and pillion. ORVm are mounted well and have good visibility all the time. The pegs are not entirely rear set which makes them come in a middle to a small extent. Riding position is upright, handlebars are placed higher so you grab them while standing or sitting properly.

The Ride

The engine is the 500cc motor making 46 BHP of power and an equally impressive 46 Nm of torque from its motor. All of this produced above 6000 RPM so mid-range is excellent and top-end is good enough. Infact, the twin-cylinder layout, fueling and good gearing allows for easy low speed rideability as well. However, these numbers help it push the way it should go.

The kerb weight is quite high at 235 kgs which means that torque is now adequate to push this bike, not sensational push in the pants feeling here. Something amateur riders will love and should get this bike for and experienced riders can improve skill. The engine is also quite refined and vibrations only kick in around redline.

The sound from the motor is quite loud and is old school ‘vroom vroom’ exhaust which appeals to the mass market. You can hear the engine all the time and in a good way. We wish though the engine revved up a little quickly. The engine is also a stressed member of the chassis so ample damping has been used and this makes it very docile but also slightly unenthusiastic engine over its rivals to a certain extent. Overall, the engine is good enough, clutch and gearbox are quite light and it delivers 22 km/l as well.

Dynamics

On the road, the ride quality is good, it rides very confidently, the suspension is soft in the rear and front has a very beefy setup of 50 mm forks which take care of the whole weight and feels very communicative.

All that 235 kgs means it is glued to the road at any given speed. The tyres from Metzeler are very impressive off the road and on the road. The brakes lack bite and urgency to a certain extent but have progression enough to come at an halt. The rake is tuned for cornering and aiding in agile-ness and nimble-ness. It could have been higher to aid more stability at the front on the highway at high speeds and be a bit more better off the road too.

Benelli TRK 502X India Review, Verdict

The TRK 502X has a lot going for it. The overall motorcycle is very docile, the power and segment seems just right for the Indian market. Let’s not forget the price, which is good but could have been slightly better, but that’s just us nitpicking. The quirks are the lack of features and a 35-40 kg extra kerb weight it carries which also has its merits and de-merits at the same time if you ask us.

Benelli is offering a whole lot more in terms of warranties, assistance, service packages, a wide dealership network and a sorted out package as whole when it comes to mechanical aspect. There are others in the market right now but they are all focused on or off-road. The TRK offers you options, we think, this advantage with TRK series Benelli has gotten just right.

Price: Rs 5.40 lakhs