Benelli will be launching the middleweight adventure-tourer next month in India and they will be priced comparatively lower than their rivals
Benelli announced their tie-up with Mahavir group last year and at the same event also expressed their interest to introduce the new TRK models in India soon. The good news is that Benelli has kept their promise and confirmed that they will launch both the TRK 502 and TRK 502X on February 18th, 2019. The TRK 502 and 502X will be their first middleweight adventure tourer in India.
Both the motorcycles will take on few other middleweight adventures touring rivals like the Kawasaki Versys 650 and the Suzuki V-Storm 650 XT in India. That said, here are the five things you should know about the soon to be launched Benelli TRK 502 and 502X adventure tourers.
1. Benelli will launch the TRK 502 and the 502X on the same day
The good news is that Benelli will be launching not one but two new motorcycles on the same day. They will launch the TRK 502 as well as the 502X on 18th February 2019. Both the motorcycle underpins the same chassis and also shares the same engine. While the TRK 502 is a more road-focused variant the TRK 502X, on the other hand, is an offroad focused motorcycle which also gets a higher ground clearance and some additional accessories to set it apart from the standard 502 variants.
2. The 499cc engine is shared with the upcoming Leoncino 500 Cruiser
Both the TRK 502 and the 502X shares the same 499.6cc, liquid-cooled, fuel-injected parallel-twin engine with the Leoncino 500 cruiser which too will be launched in India soon. The engine produces about 47.6 Bhp of peak power at 8,500rpm and 45 Nm of peak torque at 5,000rpm. The engine is paired to a six-speed gearbox.
3. Well equipped and plenty of accessories on offer
No one can deny the fact that both the Benelli 502 and 502X looks and feels like big adventure tourers but they also weighs almost 213 kilograms at the same time which make them heavier than their other rivals including the Kawasaki Versys 650 and the Suzuki V Storm 650XT.
Both the motorcycles have been fitted with a 50 mm upside down forks towards the front and a preload, rebound and compression-adjustable monoshock setup towards the rear. For stopping, the motorcycles rely on a 320 mm twin disc setup for the front and a 260 mm disc towards the rear. ABS comes as standard with both the variants.
Both the motorcycles also get a large 20 Litre fuel tank which offers them a decent range. Both these motorcycles also feature a bash plate as well to protect the engine as standard. As far as their performance is concerned both the 502 and 502X are quite heavy motorcycles and also generates lesser power compared to their closest rivals and thus do not expect them to be particularly quick or responsive on the straight or in the corners.
Unfortunately, none of the variants offer any additional rider aid like traction control or cornering ABS. However, Benelli will offer plenty of optional touring accessories with both the motorcycles during the time of their launch.
4. The key difference between the TRK 502 and TRK 502X
Both the motorcycles are made for two completely different purposes. While the TRK 502 will serve as a touring motorcycle the TRK 502X, on the other hand, is a proper adventure tourer. The Benelli TRK 502 gets a 17-inch wheel on both its front and rear wrapped with sticky Pirelli Angel GT tires.
The 502X, on the other hand, gets a bigger 19-inch front and 17 inch rear spoke wheels which are wrapped with knobby Metzeler Tourance tires. The TRK 502X also gets a slightly higher ground clearance of 220 mm (TRK 502 offer 190 mm of ground clearance) and a saddle height of 850 mm. The offroad centric 502X variant also features an upswept exhaust system.
5. Will be less expensive
Both the Benelli TRK 502 and 502X are powered by a comparatively smaller engine than its other middleweight adventure touring rivals and thus you can also expect them to also be priced comparatively less than their rivals. Expect the soon to be launched Benelli TRK 502 and 502X variants to be priced in between Rs 5 to 6 Lakh (ex-showroom).