Any thoughts on the Benelli TRK502X as an overlander/TRW bike?

I know the normal TRK502 got a few bad reviews, but the X has quite a lot of improvements and some favourable reviews. I bought one of the first ones just after they were launched in China last year and have only pleasure with it, doing open road trips every week in China and having clocked up quite a few thousand km's. It is quite big for a 500, but it suits me, as I am 186cm tall. It goes well, very willing little engine, and the saddle is super comfortable. Fuel economy is also not bad and it sports a 20 liter fuel tank, giving good range, ideal for long distance touring.

Although it is an Italian bike, Benelli was bought by a Chinese company a few years ago and it is thus a Chinese bike. I also looked at a Honda CB500X, which was 50% more, but I was not willing to pay that premium. Price was around US$6k. The bike is quite basic, with ABS the only aid, and it is simple enough to tinker with, considering I come from a lifetime of Land Rovers.

Benelli has a very good footprint in Asia and I believe in Europe too, parts are cheap and can easily be ordered online, with delivery within days. These include service parts as well as body parts and upgrades.

I'm curious about this bike. Anyone else have any opinions or experience to share? In particular in regards to offroad and long journeys to distant corners of the world... i e. compared to the much more expensive Honda 500 CBX

My first thought is that it looks the part ergonomically and technically (for the most part), but that it is also a heavy piece of kit, especially considering the 500cc engine displacement.

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Blog: www.bamakobyvespa.no
My Youtube Channel

«Much more expensive Honda CB500X»???

I had a look a the prices in UK and there are only a few hundred pounds difference, Trek 5499,- versus CB500X 6349,-

Besides the Trek is almost 40 kilos heavier (than the already quite lumpy CB500X) So is these bikes even comparable?

I tried to search on youtube for long term reviews of the Trek and one of the first that came up was one that boasted he have had no issues whatsoever with his bike in the whopping long term of 3500 miles….

Anyhow - would be interesting to hear some overland experiences with this bike.
This is probably the best I could find on Youtube although it isnt the X, its the model with a 17’ front wheel.
Spare parts availability in Europe seem to be main problem…. https://youtu.be/miTzS3vBJoY

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In the end everything will be fine. If its not fine its not the end....

Zero Highways is a good channel on the TRK 502X. More about the journey but Federico does an in depth take on the bike in his earlier videos.

https://youtube.com/c/ZeroHighWays

Sent from my LE2127 using Tapatalk

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2021 Benelli TRK502X | 2023 Husqvarna Norden 901

New bike reviews probably aren't a very good indication of long term reliability.

I'd want to be sure I could get spares as well.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=DoMnl0yxly0
32k kilometres. Doing well I think.

Heavier, not cheaper, and without the proven track record and dealer network of Honda... or second hand value, etc??? I'm not enticed.

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Blog: www.bamakobyvespa.no
My Youtube Channel

Watch the name calling please!
..............

and later...



Since the nonsense, name calling and general "handbags at dawn" stuff continued, I've deleted all of it.
Keep on point, keep politics OUT. PERSONAL experience with quality is worth talking about, "heard it on the internet" is not useful, as you all should know.

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Grant Johnson
Seek, and ye shall find.
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Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997!
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

I have bought one.
I like it so far

The motorcycle school where I learned to ride bought one recently. They're quite happy with it. If it's standing up to the terror of A2 students, it should do a RTW without breaking a sweat.