Motorcycle specifications Benelli502 TRK 2020 A counterpoint to the adventurers
Lightweight and moderately powered, the little TRK is an adventure solution for A2s. But will all these "reasonable" solutions be enough to evolve in today's highly qualitative, must-have category?
While the benchmark is still the BMW R 1250 GS, there are other ways to get a taste of the trail, and sometimes in a ballsy way. Benelli understood this long before anyone else, and offered us big watts and almost nasty sportiness with the 1130 Tre-K. The name hasn't been forgotten, and has been given a new lease of life with the imperious 502 TRK. A wiser version of the big brother? No, a totally different machine. It doesn't claim to have the same fiery spirit as its ancestor, and has its sights set on other segments: above all, the A2 license.
Clearly, Pesaro's exaltation is not the priority of the brand's Chinese owners. The BN 302, Tornado 302, and this fresh representative of the trail mid-size category bear witness to this. A choice that may prove profitable, as there are not many in this division. The 502 TRK finds itself in direct confrontation with the Honda CB 500 X. And it uses the same weapons. The engine is a 500 cm3 parallel twin. Modern with dual ACT, liquid cooling, 4 valves per cylinder and fuel injection, the engine is perfectly in line with A2 legislation: it delivers 47 hp at a maximum speed of 8,500 rpm. Maximum torque is not too high: 4.6 mkg at 6,000 rpm.
Ordinary adventurers will consider this a medium-displacement mill, sufficient for daily use and weekend excursions. Yet it looks lost under that big fairing. The Benelli 502 TRK has poise, shoulders, desire... and copy. Inspiration from the Ducati 1200 Multistrada is obvious, sprinkled with BMW GS. A muscular, menacing, prickly, impertinent look that will not go unnoticed in the jungle of adventurers. An assertive design that will have to be defended by the performance expected from it; the category is implacable.
The 502 silk-screened on the flanks might have made you smile at the 1200s on the road, dreaming of forests and sand; this production version has turned into a cipher. A little more detail reveals that the TRK has no intention of pretending. Its 20-liter fuel tank, combined with the appetite of its medium-sized twin-cylinder, should offer some nice stages. Both frame and swingarm are made of tubular steel. A correctly sized windscreen should offer clear protection; combined with small side deflectors, please! 50 mm upside-down forks, adjustable suspension, 320 mm discs, 6-speed gearbox, LED lighting, handguards and hydraulic clutch. A famous slogan says "it's got it all". Weighing in at 213 kilos dry, the Benelli 502 TRK's 135 mm of suspension travel will enable it to tackle any challenge. The standard 17-inch tires are 120 and 160 wide.
M.B - Manufacturer's photos
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2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
A little short on the freeway, but incredible in the corners, with superb handling and excellent braking
Great value for money! Rating : 5/5 Respond to Brioche
fuel consumption is around 4.5 l/100 km
night lighting is good. protection is quite satisfactory
Benelli could have worked a little on the sound, which is a bit kitsch
one negative point is the coolant reservoir, which is rather inaccessible because it's well hidden behind the right-hand fairing (it was almost the same on the ER6F)
In short, I'm quite satisfied with my scooter
i have to say that for €6300 new, there's not much on the market except the CFMOTO 650, which offers a few more ponies. Rating : 4/5 Respond to Mickey
Having tried it, I can say that the bike is sound and really nice to ride. A little heavy for young riders not used to trail bikes, but otherwise very consistent
The only thing that put me off the bike was the need for servicing every 6,000 km, which is too close for my taste because I ride a lot (20,000 or more a year), and the ease of finding parts compared with the big brands. Rating : 5/5 Participate in the conversation
After a 10-year break due to poor health, I started riding again
I bought a new Benelli bn 302. I now have 6000 kms on the odometer and not a single problem yet
I commute 110 kms a day. Home-work
Who among you owns this model
Philippe Rating : 4/5 Respond to Filipi58
I bought a new benelli 502 when I exceed 90 km/h I feel vibrations in the seat it's very unpleasant. Does anyone know where this comes from?
Thank you Rating : 4/5 Respond to Bp59
i always enjoy talking about my bike. Purchased in June 2017.
I have just done Marseille Spain ( 4h00 of highway ). A delight of comfort: no pain in the buttocks, or the back for that matter.I pushed it very hard in Spain and I had 500 laps left before the red zone. A real pleasure. Roundabouts are easy to negotiate. Curves are fluid. It's an imposing car with its size.
I cut off the two triangles protruding from the crash bars for aesthetic and safety reasons (they protrude beyond the width of the handlebars). I fitted a 2.5 cm handlebar riser. A playful, really pleasant engine that pushes and pushes! The seat height is just right for a small rider (1m70), at last. I can't find a fault with it.
It's true that there are fewer dealers than with some other brands. Time will tell.
Euro 4 standards and low fuel consumption are important nowadays. I don't regret my purchase, which suffers from the brand's poor history, but I think they've done a great job with this bike. Bonne route. Rating : 5/5 Respond to jla
Its biggest drawback, as far as I can see, is that you have to live near a Benelli dealer. Mechanics have to be trained specifically for this brand. Same problem when you break down far from home. More dealers in the south than in the north, apparently.
On the 2018 model, even though it didn't look as good at first glance (too many stickers, but this problem can easily be remedied), there's been a clear improvement in the aesthetics and, no doubt, the functionality of the crash bars. The old ones were really limited.
I hesitated between this one and a V-Strom. I live in the north of France (see explanation of the clue above). Rating : 4/5 Respond to Méta
The article on the 502 TRK 2016 was great, but concerning the 502 TRK 2018, I have some questions
1/ it loses 22 mm in width, due to what?
2/ above all, it loses 230 mm in height (23 cm!!)! What do you think is the cause?
3/ why did the " " change from "maxi-trail" to "medium-trail"? The bike hasn't changed
4/ a little summary of the differences from the 2016 version with the " /-" would have been nice
Thanks, that must be of interest to other bikers
Anyway, it will soon be in my garage ;-)
Bastan
Rating : 5/5 Respond to Bastan
i live in an Asian country invaded by Chinese business and the Benelli dealership doesn't seem to be at its best... A sign? Rating : 3/5 Respond to saxel
I'm hesitating to get this bike. I wanted to know how it performs in the mountains?
My goal is to make trips in duo with my wife (small gabarie)
Reliability?
I don't know benelli ..
Thanks in advance Rating : 5/5 Respond to Alex
unrivalled comfort, protection worthy of the "big tourers" and a range of over 400 km. that's all there is to it. Rating : 4/5 Respond to jak56
i've tried out this endearing little machine,
i'll let you discover my video test:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y437n146ig0 Rating : 5/5 Respond to fabike
I'm selling my 1200, now useless on our radar-ridden roads and freeways... Rating : 5/5 Respond to juju
and a 19" wheel available as an option, so much the better, because off-roading in a 17" is no picnic when it comes to sensations!!! in any case, on paper, it's seductive! Rating : 4/5 Respond to sparusa