The Benelli TRK 702 and Benelli TRK 702 X are two new models from the Italian manufacturer seeking to break into the middleweight touring and adventure segments.
The current landscape for newcomers to the upper-middle-class of the touring and adventure segments is not an easy one. From the KTM 890 Adventure R to the Honda XL750 Transalp and Yamaha Tenere 700 on the adventure side; and Yamaha Tracer 7, the MV Agusta Turismo Veloce range, and upcoming prospect of a touring-focused, non-DE Suzuki V-Strom 800, neither category is absent of quality.
Benelli’s answer to this problem is powered by a 698cc DOHC parallel-twin engine with four valves per cylinder that fits in between its existing 500cc and 800cc lines (the 500cc powering the TRK 502 range that has been among the most popular bikes in Italy in recent years). EFI and a 43mm throttle body are also features of the motor, which sends its power to the rear wheel via a six-speed gearbox.
Speaking of power Benelli extracts maximum outputs of 70hp and 70Nm from the 698cc unit, which puts it right in the range of the CP2 engine that powers Yamaha’s Tracer 7 and Tenere 700, although a bit behind the 755cc unit Honda uses in the Transalp.
As is traditional of modern Benellis, the frame is a steel trellis design, connected to the front wheel (17 inches on the standard TRK 702, but a 19-inch front appears on the 702 X) via 50mm front forks that offer 140mm of wheel travel. At the rear, we find the first difference between the standard 702 and the X, which has 173mm of wheel travel compared to the 154 of the standard bike. Additionally, the rear monoshock has different adjustability between the standard bike and the X, with preload and rebound adjustability on the 702, and both of those plus compression adjustability on the 702 X.
Braking is also done differently between the two variants. Where the standard TRK 702 has dual 320mm front discs with four-piston callipers, the floating callipers squeezing on the 702 X’s 320mm fronts are two-piston. At the rear, both use a single 260mm disc with single-piston calliper.
Pirelli provide the tyres for both bikes: Angel GTs in 120/70 and 160/60 for the 702, and Scorpion Rally STR hoops in 110/80 and 150/70 for the X.
A five-inch TFT display allows for Bluetooth connectivity on both bikes, and Benelli says that a phone-mirroring feature is available when connecting over WiFi.
The 2023 Benelli TRK 702 will be available at UK dealers from September 2023 in the colours “Anthracite Grey”, “Forest Green”, and “Pearl White” at a price of £6,499 (+£200 OTR).
The 2023 Benelli TRK 702 X will be available at the same time and in the colours “Anthracite Grey”, “Forest Green”, “Dune Sea”, and “Moon Grey” at a price of £6,899 (+£200 OTR).
Benelli has also made an aluminium three-case set, including a 46-litre top box, included in the list price of both bikes until 31 December 2023.
Head to the Benelli website to view their entire 2023 range, and to locate your nearest dealer.
