Benelli TRK 502

The Benelli TRK 502, with its Italian big-bike styling, creates a strong first impression among the middleweight motorcycle buyers, for the sense of big bike it offers. It looks huge in flesh for a middleweight motorcycle, thus giving it a very strong road presence.

The overall styling of the Benelli TRK 502 is quite busy, and with the presence of black alloy wheels and soft compound and road-sped treads for its tires, one can immediately sense that this a touring-oriented motorcycle. The Benelli TRK 502 looks quite tall when viewed head-on, thanks to long-travel suspension and adjustable and transparent front fairing above the dual headlamp setup with LED daytime running lamps.

Just below the headlamps setup, there is a beak-shaped panel which also accommodates dual faux air inlets, giving it aggression at the front. This panel extends towards the sides as fuel tank extensions, with the fuel tank itself being a large and curvy looking one. The side portions of the fuel tank extensions too are quite large in their design, which partially hide the engine. The Benelli TRK 502 also features an exposed trellis frame and tank crash guards on the sides, which do suggest that it is a proper adventure motorcycle. However, what looks quite unique here is an underbody exhaust, which is not so common in adventure motorcycles.

The tailpiece of the Benelli TRK 502 looks quite sleek, and it rises upwards in a not so aggressive manner. The split seats are big and roomy, and the large and wide pillion grab rail with luggage rack does make it feel a practical place to be on. The tail lamp nestled at the back is quite small, and the minimalist appeal here is further increased by a short rear fender. The tire hugger above the rear tire and tubular aluminium swingarm do complete the look of the motorcycle at the rear.

The handlebar of the Benelli TRK 502 is mounted quite higher, which gives the rider a very commanding riding posture. The bike comes with a part digital instrument console, with an analog tachometer and an LCD panel which displays the speedometer, odometer, trip meters, fuel gauge, gear indicator, distance to empty,  and average and instantaneous fuel economy figures.

While the Benelli TRK 502 exudes tremendous road presence, one can’t ignore the just average build quality and fit and finish levels, which dilute its appeal a bit.

The Benelli TRK 502 is built on a steel trellis frame and has been adorned with 50mm fully adjustable upside-down hydraulic forks at the front and dual-sided aluminum swingarm with monoshock at the back. The suspension feels comfortable with its slightly soft setup, which aids in its touring credibility. The bike comes fitted with 17-inch rims shod with touring friendly tires as well as 320mm dual disc brakes at the front and a single 260mm disc brake at the rear.

The Benelli TRK 502 sources its power from a four-stroke, inline twin, liquid-cooled, fuel-injected, 499.6cc engine, which is coupled here to a 6-speed gearbox. This engine, which feels quite torquey in the lower and middle rev range, puts up a maximum power output of 47.6 PS and a maximum torque output of 45 Nm.

The Benelli TRK 502 misses out on a lot of sophisticated riding aids which are becoming standard on middleweight motorcycles. However, it does come equipped with the crucial addition of a dual-channel ABS.

With its big-bike appeal, comfortable ride quality, and a mechanical hardware setup which feels rich on paper, the Benelli TRK 502 ticks all the right boxes for someone who is upgrading from an average quarter-liter motorcycle.