With the memory of riding Benelli’s new TRK 702 and 702X in the Alps still fresh in our minds, we rode the new – but already popular – trail bikes again, now on national soil. The event was intended to provide a different experience from the traditional presentation, and in the end we can only say one thing: the test was over!
It was in a small window of time between several “orange alerts” that we managed to make this short trip, from Oliveira de Azeméis (the birthplace of the Multimoto group that works the Benelli brand in our country) to Manteigas, in the Serra da Estrela. The return trip wasn’t possible on two wheels as the weather conditions were terrible, but on the first day we were able to evaluate a lot in 265 tasty kilometers, which turned out to be more adrenaline-pumping than we expected. But we’ll get to that.
THE BRAND
Anyone who has known Benelli for a few years is far from imagining the rich past of this brand, which was born in Italy in 1911, developed beautiful racing bikes and created incredible naked and sports machines in the 2000s. It was a troubled history, in true Italian fashion, but it got back on track in 2005 when the brand was bought by Qianjiang, which in turn was acquired by the giant Geely group in 2016. At the time, the brand was already developing products in Italy to build in China, and in 2017 the first Benelli model in the trail segment was born, the TRK 502. And from here the story changes, as this bike achieves incredible popularity in many countries, something that now seems to be being repeated by the TRK 702 and 702X despite their short time on the market. In our country, it was also in 2016 that the brand made the leap, with average figures of around 2,000 units sold annually since 2018, constantly being among the brands that sell the most on national soil, and this without having a range of scooters, for example. The national importer is proud to have a circulation of around 4,150 TRK 502/X motorcycles that have been registered over 6 years, and the most incredible thing is that the brand has already registered 439 units of the 702 in our country in just two months (entering the top 5 of the trail segment in 2023), and the trend is set to continue!
The new TRK 702s are very imposing, especially the beautiful X version
THE MOTORCYCLES
As such, much of the experience gained with the TRK 502 has been replicated in the 702, but now with much more aggressive and stylized lines overall, in a product that was created from scratch in Italy. A lot of emphasis has been placed on ergonomics, not least because the brand doesn’t hide the fact that these products have been designed with new riders in mind, who need something easy and comfortable, and Benelli has developed many of its own components, such as suspension and brakes, rather than going to the market to buy them like some of its rivals. Technically, we won’t go into details, remembering that we tested the TRK 702/X in our September issue, so we’ll just underline the fact that we’re talking about models with 698 cc twin-cylinder engines, which deliver 70 hp of power and 70 Nm of torque.
Great socializing, good food and lots of bends. That’s what good motorcycle trips are like!
The big difference between the base version and the X is in the wheels (17″ front on the base and 19″ on the X), the X’s more advanced rear shock absorber with more travel, and the version that also has spoked wheels. Braking is also different, but here it’s the more road-going model (the tires are also 100% road-going instead of mixed) that incorporates radial calipers instead of the simpler units on the X, which mounts wavy discs. The seat height varies between the models and the 20-liter tank guarantees a high level of autonomy on very affordable bikes that are on campaign, with a range of bags on offer. In terms of instrumentation and connectivity, it’s also possible to pair or mirror your smartphone to access call information, share music or navigation maps via the Carbit Ride App, which the brand is offering for a year.
And there are already many accessories available for these models, such as heated grips, heated seat, engine guards, sump protection, larger windshields and aluminum luggage sets.
OUR TRIP
It all started very early in the morning at the Molinológico Park in Oliveira de Azeméis, a place we wanted to visit later in the day, with more free time and, if possible, sunshine! We set off with the basic version and headed through Sever do Vouga, Talhadas, past Caramulo and through the center of Tondela until we reached Coja, where we had lunch like abbots at Ramiro’s, where we also want to return one day. In the afternoon we rode with X and took more photos and videos until we reached Piodão, one of the most charismatic and beautiful places in our country. From there, great roads and even better curves until we started climbing the Serra da Estrela from the southwest, with the aim of taking a group photo at the Tower. Change of plans: during the ascent the weather conditions changed rapidly and the aim was simply to try to get to Manteigas safe and sound! Rain, fog, cold (the temperature dropped to 6 degrees) and strong gusts of wind were the main course, like Everest, and in a few dozen kilometers we had more adrenaline than many trail bike riders have in a lifetime (oops, that wasn’t meant to be said)! We descended through the beautiful Glacier Valley to Manteigas, where the conditions allowed us to see some of the landscape, and after a good night’s sleep we had another great gastronomic session at Cantinho da Dona Alice in the Vale de Cambra area.
Finally, and returning to the bikes, I’d like to say that although these are bikes built with new riders in mind, and with an interesting retail price, they won’t disappoint on rides like the one we did, where they’re like fish in water. We just wish the vibration rate was a little lower and the fuel injection system offered a smoother response at times. The base version is more agile due to the smaller wheels and tires it mounts, and also easier to move around due to the lower seat, but it was the X that we enjoyed the most.
The riding position is more imposing and pleasant, the suspension works very well and even the braking is more progressive and pleasant on this model. In both models, the engine is pleasant and linear, the gearbox very smooth, the comfort sufficient for several hours of trouble-free daily riding, and of course, the aesthetics have evolved a lot in these models, so the success story will certainly continue!