Benelli TRK 502 in the driving report

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Benelli TRK 502 in the driving report
Photo: Benelli

Benelli TRK 502 in the driving report

Benelli TRK 502 in the driving report

Benelli TRK 502 in the driving report

Benelli TRK 502 in the driving report

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Benelli TRK 502 in the driving report
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Benelli TRK 502

Benelli TRK 502 in the driving report
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The parent company QJ builds the Reihentwin completely itself, as do the spring elements

Benelli TRK 502 in the driving report
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The passenger sits significantly higher. Benelli will bring a flatter bench in September

Benelli TRK 502 in the driving report
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No frills, no top design, but the cockpit is easy to read and informative

Benelli TRK 502 in the driving report
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Yan Haimei, General Manager of Benelli in Pesaro

Benelli TRK 502 in the driving report
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The 500 looks very grown-up, almost powerful. Luggage racks and luggage racks are part of the equipment, the suitcases themselves are not

Benelli TRK 502 in the driving report
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Benelli TRK 502

Benelli TRK 502 in the driving report
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Benelli TRK 502

Benelli TRK 502 in the driving report
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Benelli TRK 502

Benelli TRK 502 in the driving report
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Benelli TRK 502

Benelli TRK 502 in the driving report
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Benelli TRK 502

Benelli TRK 502 in the driving report
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Benelli TRK 502

Benelli TRK 502 in the driving report
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Benelli TRK 502

Benelli TRK 502 in the driving report

Road enduro for beginners

It is already on the market in China, but it is now set to conquer Europe: the Benelli TRK 502 is a road enduro for beginners that, with its adult dimensions, is also suitable for long tours. She plays the trailblazer, because soon other versions will come on the same basis.

Before misunderstandings arise: The new Benelli TRK 502 has nothing in common with the Benelli TreK 1130 from the noughties, apart from an echo of the name. One, that was a fast fun bike with 125 HP that wanted to be tamed. The other, which is now entering the European stage, is a peaceful 500, which is also suitable for newbies with just under 48 hp. Compared to many other entry-level motorcycles, the TRK 502 with its lush wind protection, the 20-liter tank and the luggage and pannier racks already fitted at the factory are very mature and promises real suitability for long tours. Benelli expects a lot from her: after a good ten years of trial and error, the managers of the Chinese QJ group, to which Benelli has been a member since late 2005, hope that a motorcycle from their production will finally find grace in the eyes of Europeans . The low price of exactly 5,999 euros could definitely help.

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Benelli TRK 502 in the driving report

Benelli TRK 502 in the driving report
Road enduro for beginners

Visually a cross between GS and Multistrada

Whereby one wrestles for Europe’s attention more for reasons of prestige. Commercially more important for Benelli are the emerging countries, especially in Asia, and they played an important role in the design of the motorcycle. The Benelli TRK 502 may be reminiscent of a cross between a BMW GS and a Ducati Multistrada, but the similarities stop with the seat height, because at 800 mm it is very low for a street enduro. But that doesn’t have to be a problem, especially since the sitting position is comfortable even for 1.80 meter people, the knee angle remains relaxed.

Enough 47 hp for 235 kilos?

The Benelli TRK 502 is built in China, the in-line two-cylinder is manufactured by the parent company QJ itself. After the impressions from the first drive, it does well, especially since the Italian developers gave the engine a great set-up – full of torque, for which they have the horsepower restricted. Initial doubts as to whether 47 HP could even be enough for the heavy 235 kilos of the road enduro are quickly dispelled. The 500 twin scoots purposefully and smoothly, from 2,000 rpm a lot of torque is available. Even in sixth gear, the TRK still provides a passable draft from the lower rev range. At 6,000 rpm, fun is over, the pressure decreases and the first vibrations set in. But until then, the engine actually tickles a little emotional fireworks with its technically limited resources. The smoothly engaging clutch and the precise, fluidly shifting gearbox reinforce the positive impression.

Upside-down fork is rather harsh

It looks more mixed with the chassis. The streets around the central Italian Renaissance town of Urbino, where the test drive took place, pull all damage registers, from bumps and grooves to thick potholes. It is then noticeable that the upside-down fork responds rather harshly, while the mono-shock absorber can handle potholes well, but seems too soft, which costs the Benelli TRK 502 stability in an inclined position. If you open the spring base, which is completely closed at the factory, with a few clicks, things look different: The Benelli now lies quietly even in an inclined position and acts more precisely. Potholes are now also more noticeable at the rear. But that’s something you gladly accept for better cornering.

The focus is clearly on Asia

Obviously, the series tuning is designed for the Chinese market, where comfort comes first. The same reason is behind the too low position of the side stand, because it touches down early and hard in left turns. Benelli explains that Asian customers in particular criticize the in-house 600 GT because the side stand is too high and difficult to reach by foot. That’s why the Benelli TRK 502 has been set significantly lower. May customers in Asia be satisfied now – Europeans are not. You can’t please everyone.

ABS comes from Bosch

The brakes of the Benelli TRK 502 also come from QJ production. Because the motorcycle is aimed at beginners, they grip very gently, especially little is happening at the rear, which you can live with in view of the subdued power. However, the lever path got too long and the pressure point was spongy. The ABS set-up was flawless. Benelli had this tailored by Bosch and chose a version with two separate control loops for the front and rear brakes. With the Angel ST, Benelli relies on tried and tested Pirelli tires.

Motorcycle serves as the basis for several models

The Benelli TRK 502 marks the start of a new life for the Benelli and QJ managers from the parent company (see interview), the motorcycle serves as the basis for several models. Towards the end of the year, a more off-road version of the TRK will come, with a 19-inch front wheel, studded tires and a flatter seat. For 2018 a TRK with 750 cm³ and over 80 hp is on the plan. And the company promises many more motorcycles for the time after that. As I said, none of this has anything to do with the earlier emotionally strong three-cylinder Benellis. At least in a positive sense, because while those at that time allowed themselves up to eight liters of fuel per 100 kilometers, the economical TRK should get by with not even half.

Interview with Yan Haimei (Managing Director Benelli)

Yan Haimei. The 48-year-old is the managing director of Benelli in Pesaro, a subsidiary of the Chinese Qianjiang Group (QJ) since the end of 2005.

MOTORCYCLE: The QJ Group bought Benelli a good eleven years ago. Only now are motorcycles gradually emerging that could be of interest to the European market. Why did it take so long?

Yan Haimei: To be honest, we didn’t know what to do with the big three-cylinder that Benelli built when it took over. That’s why in the first five years, i.e. from 2005 to 2010, we started developing a total of twelve of our own projects – all of them went wrong, none of them made it to series production.

MOTORCYCLE: What was that? QJ was not completely alien to the industry, but built more than a million scooters and small-volume motorcycles in China.

Yan Haimei: That’s why we wanted to do everything ourselves at first, but what we had in mind was not suitable for Europe. Everything was strange to us here, the work processes, the tax system, the mentality, just everything. In 2010 we started working with Italian suppliers and developers. Then we learned a lot.

MOTORCYCLE: Why did QJ hold onto Benelli in the first place when things were so difficult?

Yan Haimei: Because we believe that Benelli is a very good brand, not just here in Europe, but worldwide. And because QJ always wants to improve. A lot has already changed at the plant in China, but QJ is not yet at a really high level. But that’s where we want and have to go, and Benelli is helping us with that, because we have valuable experience here. QJ is currently investing a lot in technology; we are in a decisive phase for the future of the whole group.

MOTORCYCLE: How many employees does QJ have in China??

Yan Haimei: Around 7,000. There used to be more, but parts of the production are now run as separate companies. Unlike in Europe, a manufacturer in China produces a great deal itself. QJ builds the entire engine, the brakes, the chassis. But a change is taking place right now, because QJ has a new majority shareholder: the Geely Group, which also belongs to Volvo. This opens up new opportunities for collaboration.

MOTORCYCLE: Can the small Italian Benelli factory still play a role at all??

Yan Haimei: Yes, an important one. Now is the time for Benelli to show the results of their long-term investment. There is a saying in China: If you want a really good sword, you have to forge the blade for ten years and you will win! The ten years are up now.

MOTORCYCLE: And what are the results??

Yan Haimei: We now have an almost complete range of engines, even if we only produce the large three-cylinder engines for markets outside of Europe. At the end of the year, the 750 twin-cylinder will be ready, which will then also be in the TRK. We have thus created the basis for building motorcycles for all market segments.

MOTORCYCLE: What are the expectations for the Benelli TRK 502 and the retro bike Leoncino, which is also coming soon?

Yan Haimei: The Benelli TRK 502 is already on the market in China, it’s going well, customers are driving it all the way to the Himalayas! We hope to sell 10,000 pieces in the first year. And the Leoncino is already being presented in China these days, with 1,000 people invited to the presentation. This alone shows what high expectations QJ has of Benelli and these motorcycles.

Benelli TRK 502 sales in Germany


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The availability of the Benelli TRK502 is very good.

Benelli does not want to rely on exclusivity with the TRK 502, which is why its availability on the German used market is very good. All available colors can be found in the used market and you shouldn’t have any difficulty in finding the nearest Benelli dealer. Here is an overview of the current Benelli TRK 502 offer: used Benelli TRK502 in Germany.

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