The Adventure Begins; 2024 Benelli Models Announced for America

With joy and anticipation, Benelli announces the initial lineup of seven Benelli models for the American market. The all-new TRK 702X adventure bike and its sister TRK 702 street version; the TRK 502X adventure bike and TRK 502 street version; the 302S naked street bike; the all-new retro Imperiale 400; and the highly venerated class-killing TNT135 small-bore motorcycle.

TRK 702X

Developed by the Benelli R&D and Style Center in Pesaro, Italy, the flagship Benelli TRK 702X features a liquid-cooled 698cc parallel-twin double-overhead cam engine, with 4 valves per cylinder and crank pins offset by 180°, for maximum performance. It is rated at 70 hp (51,5 kW) at 8,000 rpm and 51.6 ft. lbs. (70 Nm) of torque at 6,000 rpm. Fuel mixture is by electronic fuel injection with a 41mm double throttle body. A special feature of the TRK 702X is its transmission with clutch-side removable 6-speed gearbox, with a wet slipper clutch and torque converter, significantly maintaining smooth and precise gear engagement despite any conflicting wheel speed to engine rpm.

The TRK 702X chassis is a steel trellis and plated frame fronted by upside down 50mm fork legs with 140mm (5.5 inches) of travel, and an aluminum swinging arm in the rear with a monoshock featuring three-way adjustability: spring preload, rebound, and compression, and 6.8 inches (173mm) of rear-axle travel.

The braking is by dual 320mm discs up front, each with a two-piston floating caliper. A single 260mm diameter disc on the rear has a single-piston floating caliper. The 19-inch front and 17-inch rear rims are aluminum alloy with steel spokes, fitted with Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR 110/80 19 and 150/70 17 tires.

The rider experience on the TRK 702K is enhanced by a 5” TFT color display, with Bluetooth connectivity to link to a smartphone to display incoming calls and notifications. The handlebar controls allow answering or ending calls and a smart-phone app connected via WIFI can transform the dashboard into a navigation system. The handlebar controls are backlit, and USB and USB C sockets are standard. The fairing carries double LED headlights, the fuel tank holds 5.3 gallons (20 liters), rear grab rails are standard for passenger security, and all lighting is LED. A center stand is standard equipment.

Options include heated handgrips and rider seat, an oversized windscreen, lower engine guard, protection bars, side bags, and top box. Available colors are Anthracite Grey, Forest Green, White, and Moon Grey, and the MSRP is $8,499

TRK 702

The TRK 702 has the features of the TRK 702X, with the exception of 17-inch wheels front and rear, rolling on 120/70ZR17 and 160/60ZR17 tires, for those desiring adventures primarily on pavement. Also, the center stand is an option. Front fork travel remains unchanged at 5.5 inches (140mm) of travel, while the rear axle travel is reduced to a still-opulent 6.0 Inches (154mm). The front brakes have increased power and feel for the added traction of paved roads, featuring dual 320mm semi-floating discs up front mated to four-piston calipers. The rear is the same as the X version with a 260mm diameter disc and a single-piston caliper.

Options include heated hand grips and rider seat, an oversized windscreen, lower engine guard, protection bars, side bags and top box, and center stand. The Benelli TRK 702 is available in Anthracite Grey, Forest Green and Pearl White, and has an MSRP of $7,899

TRK 502X

Returning to the American market is the overall best-selling motorcycle in all of Italy, the Benelli TRK 502X. It is the best-selling motorcycle in Italy because of its brand, ease of operation, and remarkable price-point value.

Powered by a liquid-cooled in-line parallel-twin-cylinder engine, the TRK 502X has dual overhead cams and produces 47.6 hp (35 kW) at 8500 rpm and maximum torque of 34 ft lbs. (46 Nm) at 6000 rpm. It has wet-sump lubrication, wet multiplate clutch, and a six-speed gearbox with chain drive. The TRK 502X chassis has a trellis frame with steel plates, featuring an upside-down fork with 50mm legs having 5.5 inches (140mm) of travel, and a central monoshock on the swingarm with adjustable spring preload, rebound, and compression, providing 6.0 inches of rear axle travel.

Braking is ample with its 320mm diameter dual discs with 2-piston floating calipers up front, and a 260mm diameter disc at the rear. An aluminum-alloy spoke rim on the front carries a 110/80×19 tire, with the rear rim is fitted with a 150/70×17 tire. Fuel capacity is 5.3 gallons (20 liters), for extended touring.

The TRK 502X fairing has dual headlights and standard features include hand guards with aluminum inserts, adjustable handlebars, center stand, crash bars, and luggage rack. The handlebar switch gear is backlit and the rear-view mirrors have new designs for 2024, as well as all-new hand grips. Accessories include aluminum side bags and top box, and taller windscreen. Available colors are glossy yellow, and charcoal grey. MSRP is only $6,699

TRK 502

The TRK 502 differs from the TRK 502X with its 17-inch wheels sporting 120/70×17 and 160/60×17 tires. The upside-down fork, with its 50mm legs, has the same travel as the X version at 5.5 inches (140mm), while the rear axle has 6.0 inches (154mm) of travel, and a centrally mounted monoshock with only adjustable spring preload and rebound damping.

The TRK 502 accessories include aluminum side bags and top box, and taller windscreen. Colors include Pearl White or Charcoal Grey. MSRP is $6,299

Imperiale 400

From Benelli’s enviable history comes the Imperiale 400 with its vertical single-cylinder, four-stroke, air-cooled engine. The Imperiale 400 is an homage to the 1950’s Motobi Imperiale, created by Giuseppe Benelli, one of the six founding Benelli brothers of the mother company. An easy to ride retro motorcycle inviting to new riders with its low seat and low center of gravity, while also appealing to those simply desiring the fun of a nostalgic motorbike experience.

The vertical single of the Imperiale 400 meets Euro5 requirements and features a single overhead camshaft and electronic fuel injection. Maximum power is 21 hp (15.5 kW) at 5,500 rpm, with 21.4 ft. lbs. (29 Nm) of torque at 4,500 rpm.

The Imperiale 400 chassis has a double-cradle steel frame of tubes and plates. The front suspension has conventional 41mm fork legs with 4.76 inches (121mm) of travel, while the rear features twin shocks and 2-inches (55mm) of travel. Following its old-school aesthetics, the Imperiale 400 rolls on 100/90×19 front and 130/80×18 rear Maxxis Promaxx tires, mounted to wire wheels. Adding to the vintage look of the Imperiale 400 is a two-piece seat with rear grab rail, rubber knee pads on the fuel tank, a sprung seat, pea-shooter muffler, and conventional blinkers.

Braking for the Imperiale 400 is managed by a 300mm single rotor on the front wheel, mated to a two-piston floating caliper, and a 240mm rotor at the rear with a single-piston floating caliper. The Imperiale 400 is available in Glossy Black, Maroon, and Glossy Silver. MSRP is $4,899

302S

The Benelli 302S is a friendly yet fully capable naked motorcycle taking on the role of a just-jump-on-and-ride everyday machine. It’s powered by a 300cc vertical liquid-cooled DOHC parallel twin with four valves per cylinder, fed by EFI. Bore and stroke is 65×45.2 mm, and the compression ratio is 12:1, providing peak power of 38 hp at 11,500 rpm, with max torque at 18.9 ft. lbs. at 9,000 rpm. Final drive is through a six-speed transmission and chain.

The 302S has a steel-trellis chassis mated to 41mm inverted fork legs providing 5.4 inches (135mm) of travel. The rear suspension has a right-side-mounted, linkage-free, single shock with preload and rebound damping adjustability. Braking is by dual floating wave front rotors with four-piston calipers and stainless steel braided brake lines, and a single rotor out back.

The LCD digital display features an analog tachometer showing the sweep of rpm, clock, speedometer, gear selection, odometer, fuel level, and temperature gauge. All lighting is LED, from the multi-beam headlight to the blinkers. Available in white, Flash Green, Red, and Matte Black. MSRP is $4,799

TNT135

Designed in Italy alongside the full-sized Benellis, the TNT 135 is already revered in the USA for its class-dominating performance produced from its single-cylinder, air-cooled, four-valve, twin-spark, 135cc, Euro5 powerplant. Power and torque are respectively 13 hp (9.7 kW) at 9,000 rpm and 7.4 ft. lbs. (10 Nm) at 7,000 rpm. Final drive is by a five-speed transmission and chain.

The TNT135 rolls on 12 inch wheels with 120/70×12 and 130/70×12 tires. Communicating its performance abilities is its steel trellis chassis, 41mm upside-down front fork legs with 4.7 inches (120mm) of travel, and a single rear shock with spring pre-load adjustability and axle travel of 4.7 inches (120mm). The seat height is 30.7 inches (780mm), which feels lower due to being narrow, and the control locations provide comfort for youngsters to full-sized adults.

The Benelli TNT135 braking features a 210mm front rotor, while the rear a single 190mm rotor, both with ABS. Available colors are white, Red, Flash Green, and Black. MSRP is $3,199

Graphics or model details may vary from the above. Additional OEM accessories for all models will be announced soon. More models will be announced throughout the year, including exciting Keeway models. For more model information and specifications visit: www.benelli.com, or contact: [email protected]