BS6 Benelli TRK 502 Road Test Review: Budget globetrotter, Italian style!

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The TRK 502 looks big, has the right power and features, and offers comfort in abundance. All this good enough for its price? We recently discovered it!

Mid-weight adventure touring motorcycles have a lot of responsibility on their shoulders. They must not only be versatile and prove themselves on multiple parameters, but must also be cost effective. Now Benelli has one of those bikes in his stable called the TRK 502 that looks as big and beefy as other full-fledged ADVs like the Multistradas and Tigers. But with the same saddle height as the Royal Enfield Himalayan, this one is actually quite accessible, which means in layman’s terms it can be used by more riders. What makes this bike even more tempting is the fact that it received a price drop of Rs 30,000 with the BS6 update. So why is the Benelli TRK 502 out there, is it just a matter of looks, and more importantly, why should you be spending your money on it? Read on to find the answers to these questions and more!

BS6 Benelli TRK 502 – Design and Appearance

So let’s start with what is perhaps the biggest highlight of this bike: the design. The Benelli TRK 502 looks big and imposing and that reason would be enough for some people to opt for this bike as we Indians love it when our machines have an undeniable presence on the road. The TRK 502 has a spout shaped design which is typical of some large ADVs. The overall design looks pretty proportionate and a lot of people would actually agree that there is a clear Ducati Multistrada connection somewhere in terms of looks.

Speaking of updates on the new BS6 version, the bike now has a body color front fender as well as more robust finger guards, a textured finish on the mirrors and also a group of updated instruments. In addition, the switchgear now looks more upscale and the switches are now also backlit. Two additional switches are also offered on both sides of the handlebars and these can be used when opting for aftermarket fog lights and heated grips for your bike. So all of these changes come together and ensure that the TRK 502 is a more profitable offering than ever before.

However, as no product is absolutely flawless, the same is true for the BS6 Benelli TRK 502 and we noticed a few points of improvement. First of all, while the overall fit and finish up front looks good, the front spout is made of cheap plastic and the same doesn’t inspire much confidence every time the idea of ​​an accident. goes through your mind.


Also this Rs 5 lakh ADV is missing an engine bash plate. Since this is an adventure touring motorcycle, there is a good chance that you will be using it off-road and therefore engine protection should have been offered, despite the fact that it it is not an unconditional all-rounder. Even a Hero XPulse 200 gets one and adding an engine bash plate to the package would have only slightly increased the price. Plus, while the windshield does a decent job of protecting you from high-speed gusts, there’s no tuning option, which taller riders might want. Finally, the rear turn signal wires could have been better hidden and also, the placement of the turn signals seems more like an afterthought!

BS6 Benelli TRK 502 – Engine Specifications, Gearbox and Performance

Speaking of engine specs, the BS6 Benelli TRK 502 is powered by a liquid-cooled 500cc twin-cylinder engine that produces a rather modest output of 47.5bhp with 46Nm of torque, mated to a six-speed transmission. The parallel twin engine comes alive with a quick press on the starter, after which it settles on a rather pleasant and sober note. The best part here is that like all Benellis the TRK 502 is also a smooth sounding motorcycle and anyone can mistake its exhaust note for the melody of an inline four. The engine incorporates a powerful low and mid range, thanks to which the bike sprints effortlessly. It should be noted, however, that this is not a high revs engine and therefore takes some time to increase revs.

Exceed 3,500 rpm and the engine begins to go into its element. Around 5,000 rpm is the sweet spot of this motor and this is where the bike can sit at 100 km / h all day. Just keep that beat on these smooth highways and you’ll love the way the bike sings in pure symphony. Pushing this bike over 105-110 km / h is not a good idea as the vibrations start to show up on the handlebars and footrests.

Plus, the 235 curb weight can be depressing at times, as all that mass only leaves the rider craving more power when you’re in the mood to ride fiercely. That said, the TRK502 does its job better as a 100 km / h tourer and is therefore adept at nibbling on seamless miles. During our testing, the TRK 502 achieved an actual top speed of 159 km / h. Plus, with the massive 20-liter fuel tank and combined fuel efficiency of 24 kmpl that we achieved in our tests, the TRK 502 should give you a realistic range of almost 450km on a full tank, which means fewer fuel stops. during long distance tours.

BS6 Benelli TRK 502 – Ride quality and handling

Thanks to the seat height of 800mm, even riders with a height of 5’5 ” can ride this ADV without much difficulty. The TRK 502 has straight handlebars and this coupled with a wide and well padded saddle makes it a very comfortable motorcycle. The high comfort of the saddle ensures that even cyclists with average experience can cover 200 km on this bike without needing to stop. The suspension is slightly softer and absorbs most ripples quite easily. The TRK 502 has neutral handling and as a result you can’t expect it to go abruptly around corners. Also, the tire grip is just good enough and not exceptionally good, and as a result, you may have to hold onto your horses whenever you see a fast turn approaching.

The straight-line stability of the TRK is commendable and it feels good planted at triple-digit speeds. The ride quality is decent and these help to make the TRK 502 a sure-footed traveler. Speaking of brakes, the bike has a dual 320mm disc up front and a single 260mm rear disc and these do a decent job of stopping this behemoth, although we felt the bite and return from the back could have been better. With its size, the TRK 502 is not really unstable in traffic but is quite manoeuvrable. Plus, even though all that weight seems to go off while you’re in motion, it bothers you when you maneuver the bike in your parking lot. So, people with gym membership will surely have an advantage here!

BS6 Benelli TRK 502 – Price in India and verdict

One thing that makes the BS6 Benelli TRK 502 quite appealing is its price. At Rs 4.86 lakh (prices have increased by Rs 6000 recently), this is currently the most affordable twin-cylinder adventure touring motorcycle you can buy in India. And he beats his rivals by a huge margin. To be precise, the TRK costs over Rs 2 lakh cheaper than the Kawasaki Versys 650 and Honda CB500X, and also over Rs 3.5 lakh cheaper than the Suzuki V-Strom 650 XT. But at the same time, it should be noted that it isn’t the most powerful or feature-rich in its class.

So the TRK 502 may then be the perfect bike for you if you are looking to buy your very first full-size ADV, that too on a budget. While the TRK 502 may not do some of the things full-fledged ADVs can, with the on-road presence of it, you’ll be sure to get noticed. Plus, with just enough power and features, the TRK 502 will keep you happy for a good time. So to sum up, while the Benelli TRK 502 isn’t a perfect bike, it has a lot going for it with things like the king-size appearance, a powerful engine, and impressive capabilities to nibble on miles and , therefore, it is one of the maximum motorcycles that you can buy in India if you have a budget of Rs 5 lakh.

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