The exit from the beautiful Molinológico Park of Oliveira de Azeméis
THE BRANDThose who have known Benelli for a few years are far from imagining the rich past of this brand that was born in Italy in 1911, developed beautiful racing motorcycles and created incredible naked and sports machines already during the 2000s. A turbulent history, in true Italian style, but that began to “get on track” from 2005 when the brand was bought by Qianjiang, which in turn was acquired by the giant Geely group in 2016. At this time, the brand was already developing products in Italy to build in China, and in 2017 the first Benelli trail segment model was born, the TRK 502. And from here the story changes, as this motorcycle achieves incredible popularity in many countries, something that seems to be now being repeated by the TRK 702 and 702X despite their short time on the market. In our country, it was also from 2016 that the brand made the leap, with average numbers of around 2000 units sold annually since 2018, constantly among the best-selling brands in the national market, and this without having a range of scooters, for example. The national importer is proud to have a fleet of about 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 (immediately entering the top 5 of the trail segment in 2023), and the trend is to continue this way!
The new TRK 702s are quite impressive, especially the beautiful X version
AS MOTOS
Como tal, muita da experiência acumulada com as TRK 502 foi replicada nas 702, mas agora com linhas bem mais agressivas e estilizadas no conjunto, num produto que foi criado de raiz em Itália. Foi dado muito destaque à ergonomia, até porque a marca não esconde que estes produtos foram idealizados a pensar nos novos condutores, que precisam de algo fácil e confortável, e a Benelli desenvolveu muitos dos seus próprios componentes, como suspensões e travões, ao invés de ir para o mercado comprar como algumas das suas rivais. Tecnicamente não vamos entrar em detalhes, relembrando que testámos as TRK 702/X na nossa edição de setembro, por isso vamos só sublinhar o facto de estarmos a falar de modelos com motores bicilíndricos de 698 cc, que debitam 70 cv de potência e 70 Nm de binário.
Sessão de fotos e vídeo com a versão base entre os pingos da chuva na zona de Talhadas.
Parque Molinológico.
Chegada a Coja.
Sempre bom relembrar.
No Ramiro’s em Coja começou a engorda, com comida suficiente para receber um grupo de 50 motos. Obrigado pela simpatia!
Coja.
Already with version X, on the way to Piódão.
If any motorcyclist still does not know Piódão, please reverse this situation. The roads there are fantastic and the place is unique!
We put on and take off the rain suit countless times, but when we climbed to Torre, in Serra da Estrela, the conditions were for tough motorcyclists! And no, there are no photos, because we couldn’t see anything…
Arrival in Manteigas, 265 kilometers later.
The Multimoto group made sure to be very well represented in this event. Thank you all for the excellent work.
The Benelli Adventure Experience was coming to an end, but no one wanted to go home hungry!
Excellent socializing, with good food and many curves. That’s how good motorcycle trips are!
The big difference between the base version and the X version lies in the wheels (17” front wheel on the base model and 19” on the X), in the more advanced rear shock absorber on the X with more travel, which also mounts spoked wheels. The braking system is also different, with the X being the more road-oriented model (with 100% road tires instead of mixed) that incorporates radial calipers instead of simpler units on the X, which mounts waved discs. The seat height varies between the models and the 20-liter tank ensures a high autonomy in very accessible bikes that are on promotion, with a luggage offer. In terms of instrumentation and connectivity, it is worth mentioning that it is possible to pair or mirror the smartphone to access call information, music sharing, or navigation maps through the Carbit Ride App, which the brand is offering for one year.
There are already many accessories available for these models, such as heated grips, heated seat, engine guards, sump guard, larger windshields, and sets of aluminum cases.
OUR JOURNEY
It all started early in the Molinológico Park of Oliveira de Azeméis, a place we want to visit one day later, with more free time and if possible with sun! We started with the basic version and continued through Sever do Vouga, Talhadas, passed by Caramulo and through the center of Tondela until we reached Coja, where we had lunch like kings at Ramiro’s house, where we also want to return one day later. During the afternoon we walked with X, and we 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 Serra da Estrela from the southwest, with the goal of taking a group photo at the Tower. Change of plans: during the climb the weather conditions quickly changed and the goal was simply to try to reach Manteigas safe and sound! Rain, fog, cold (the temperature dropped to 6 degrees) and strong gusts of wind were the main dish, like Everest, and in a few dozen kilometers we had more adrenaline than many trail motorcycle riders have throughout their lives (oops, that wasn’t supposed to be said)! We descended through the beautiful Glacial Valley to Manteigas, as there the conditions already allowed us to see some of the landscape, and after a good night’s sleep it remains only to tell about another great gastronomic session at Cantinho da Dona Alice in the Vale de Cambra area.
To finish, and returning to motorcycles, to say that, despite these being motorcycles built with new riders in mind, and with an interesting retail price, they will not disappoint on rides like this one we did, where they are like fish in water. We just wish the vibration index was a little lower and that the fuel injection system would sometimes offer a smoother response. The base version is more agile due to the smaller wheels and tires it mounts, and also easier to move due to the lower seat, but it was with the X that we enjoyed the most.
The riding position is more imposing and pleasant, the suspensions work very well and even the braking is more progressive and pleasant in this model. In both models the engine is pleasant and linear, the gearbox quite smooth, the comfort sufficient for several hours of daily riding without problems, and of course, the aesthetics have evolved a lot in these models, so the success story will certainly continue!
BENELLI TRK 702 / TRK 702X
PARALLEL twin-cylinder 4-stroke engine, liquid cooling
DISPLACEMENT 698 cc
POWER 51.5 kW (70 hp) @8,000 rpm
TORQUE 70 Nm @6,000 rpm
GEARBOX six speeds
Tubular truss type frame with steel plates
20 liter tank
Front suspension inverted telescopic fork of 50 mm, 140 mm travel
Rear suspension adjustable monoshock, 154 mm travel / 173 mm travel (702X)
Front brake 2 discs of 320 mm, 4-piston radial calipers / 2 discs of 320 mm, 2-piston calipers (702X)
Rear brake 260 mm disc
Front tire 120/70 – ZR17 / 110/80 – R19 (702X)
Rear tire 160/60 – ZR17 / 150/70 – R17 (702X)
Wheelbase 1,505 mm
Seat height 790 mm / 835 mm (702X)
Weight 232 kg / 235 kg (702X) ready to ride
Starting price from 7,590€ / 7,890€ (702X)
