Benelli 502 C Review

[@santosenmoto]

Loving every second of my Benelli 502C after 14 months with it! I have had a few issues but with 5 years warranty they get fixed no problem. Wish it had more cv but for a beginner its great as is.

[@stevenfox7378]

Hi Dave, just bought a 2020 in blue. Just got to put some new rubber on it and change pads and it should fly through it's first MOT. This is my second bike to my Goldwing to use over the winter months and I'm looking forward to getting some miles on it. Ride safe😁👍

[@kevindarkstar]

Why at 33 minutes does it look like the speedo is blank or not on, when up to the walk around it was clearly visible?

[@thebingleywheeler]

Combination of sun and camera setting be my guess

[@richardparkhouse9571]

is it chitalian or itanese that is the question it looks pretty good to me i,m seriously considering buying one of these over the honda rebel or the vulcan s to be homest. But the rear tow bar would have to go it worked on the ducati diavel but not so much on this one

[@petercrowe2659]

Hi TBW, Great to meet you that day and thanks for the great chat we had. As you said at the time about the Benelli 502 C. and I agree, not the best looking Bike but that seems to be the fashion these days. I was there for the first service for my Class 350, It being 4 weeks old. Service took around four hours. However two to three miles into my journey back to Knaresborough the speedometer went crazy. Stopped to switch off/on but made no difference. So turned around and returned to Dealer. They checked it and told me they would raise a warranty claim with RE but could not advise a time scale for repair. As I was not prepared to ride the bike any further, I left it with them. I was now stranded in Keighley. Luckily family members rescued me. I remember you asking me that day if I had experienced any issues with the speedometer. Hah! You must have had a premonition!

[@thebingleywheeler]

Hi again Peter it was great to chat with you too….wow that is spooky re the Speedo issue. I saw them take your bike out for a test ride just as I was leaving (around 11am). I know the reported speedo sticking issues are associated with the hot weather (and a bike made in India!). Hope it works out for you but I do know there is a delay in securing parts (supply chains and all that) if you’re ever stuck for getting back to Appleyards for your bike give me a shout I’ll be happy to give you a lift there from Knaersborough (in the car) if I’m available…[e-mail]….all the best buddy

[@tonygreenbank8611]

A bloke I know bought a Benelli about 6 years ago. I think it was a 900cc triple but I couldn't be certain? It was an adventure style bike with quite a high seat. I went on a spin on it, after a couple of miles I turned around and took it back as it felt like I was riding a motorised pogo stick, It felt terrible. The next time I saw it was whilst riding past Swinton Quarry going up the dales. It was strapped onto the back of a recovery wagon coming the other way. Apparently it broke down another 2 times and had to be recovered, the only saving grace of this was the saving of fuel on the ride home! It was at this point that the bloke "threw the towel in" on it.

[@thebingleywheeler]

Just one bike though….and a familiar tale for any make

[@luckylotus11]

So unfortunate to witness the benelli ...... which should not have bothered u much if ur not into it. Let it be if u dont own one😂😂😂

[@tonygreenbank8611]

@@luckylotus11 Are you selling these bikes? I say what I see good or bad.

[@silentlurcker]

It’s a 360 deg twin, so it is as close as you can get to a inline 4 with only two cylinders. To each their own

[@willyrackham2957]

I have met 2 younger people who ride these ..they absolutely loved them ....nice review without the bias of some reviews.....i did try a 502 ....so comfortable....its definitely worth your time for a review...top selling bike in Italy

[@thebingleywheeler]

Thank you sir much appreciated 😎👍🏻

[@mryorkshire3623]

Very interesting review. Not sure if I could get used to the riding position myself being over 6FT. The engine has a 360 degree crank ( Both pistons travelling up and down simultaneously. One on compression, the other on exhaust ) hence the distinctive exhaust note. Like you say, it does make them very smooth running.

[@thebingleywheeler]

Smooth indeed…and rather boring 😂

[@markhinde6187]

When you did the ride past at the end it did sound like a twin, an aftermarket exhaust would be the order of the day if any are available

[@ironkcirb285]

Reminds me more of a ducati diavel that's been shrunk in the wash, same fugly looks.

[@thebingleywheeler]

😂

[@markhinde6187]

Great post Dave, Benelli do seem to be putting there fingers into a lot of pies, but I agree only time will tell, I also agree it does not sound like a thumpy twin which I would expect for this style of bike. I may have a trip out to Appleyards as I have never been there it looks a well stocked place

[@thebingleywheeler]

Cheers Mark get yourself over there….there are 2 buildings 👍🏻

[@amalad2858]

Can you make pure sound video of benelli 502c. Humble request 🙌

[@markpercy4277]

Good review bud, l do like the deep rumble from the engine but cruisers are not my thing

[@thebingleywheeler]

Nor mine Mark nor mine 😁👍🏻

[@chrisweeks6973]

Nice post Dave and I know that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but... what an unresolved mess! Face like a praying mantis, a very messy rear half and a strange riding position. It looks like the design brief was changed a few times during gestation and they kept all the worst elements. I owned a Chinese-built bike in the Philippines last year (locally assembled as a Skygo Earl Classic) and that was styled like a trad Brit; ok, it was only a 150 single - quite sufficient for the prevailing traffic conditions - but it worked. This doesn't. It's not that I don't like cruisers; here in Oz I have a 2011 Suzuki VL250 LC Invader, which is light enough for me in the urban setting, given that I'm pushing 80 and have been riding for well over 60 years.

[@andrewdyson4255]

As the saying goes, “ only it’s mother could love it”. Not for me but to each their own. It would be a boring old world if we all liked the same thing. I’m sure in these tight Financial Times it may find it’s place in the market. One things for certain if it’s come from China it will be the first of many and they will get better. I so recall what was said about the Japanese bikes in the early 70s. Watch this space as they say. As for the feeling like a triple or in line 4 perhaps that’s a good thing for a new more youthful market, not like us old duffers that like the homage to the 60s and 70s. Enjoyed the video Dave. See if you can get out on a Moto Guzzi and see what you think to the V twin they produce. You are spot on with your observation about large cruisers, they have to be large.

[@thebingleywheeler]

Cheers buddy yes it’s an ugly thing for sure. I’m doing my best to find a friendly Guzzi dealer….I love that transverse V twin especially on the new V750 classic and the Mandello

[@aeron-mw7ofs]

Not my cup of tea, but i do think it's a good looking bike .👍

[@barrydaly7174]

To me it looks like a number of these Chinese manufactured bikes have used an AI program. Input some other manufacturers names and models and Hey Presto! Some do work actually TRK 502 for instance (input GS, Vstrom). Time will tell in a few British winters if they are the good value they seem at the moment.

[@markfranks1329]

Morning, Dave. Comprehensive appraisal as always. Hmmm... not sure about this one. Nothing to do with the fact that it's made in China. Look what they said about Japanese bikes in the 60s when they were first imported, compared to where they are now. (To digress, I personally believe Japanese bikes reached their zenith 20 odd years' ago as far as variety goes. They've slipped a little now- they all appear to be making bikes that are so similar to each other presently). Moving to the present, there's just so many things going on here all at once. For me, it comes across as a bit of a mish-mash. That's just me. As some have rightly commented, each to their own. If we all liked the same thing, wouldn't it be boring? Agree about the engine, though. Does sound too refined and at odds with the bike's image.(Sounds like a 360° with balancers.) When I were a lad, Benelli made inline-6s in 900 and 750 form and even an inline-4 250 called a 'Quattro'. (Yep, I'm just a grumpy, wrinkly old git now.)😂 Nice one, Dave.👍

[@thebingleywheeler]

Thank you Mark and I completely agree that today’s Japanese bikes all seem to have the same lazy brained design….possible exception of Kawaki Z RSs

[@markfranks1329]

@@thebingleywheeler Yep, I fully concur. Kawasaki have done a stunning job of their recent Z900s. Highly desirable. Ride safe, buddy. 👍

[@FATBOY692011]

It is indeed a 360° twin with balancer shaft. I had a Leoncino with the same engine. 2nd gear out of roundabouts and you're past all the mundane cagers. This thing is ugly as sin though.

[@markfranks1329]

@@FATBOY692011 Hey, thanks for the response. Appreciated. Yep, agreed regarding looks. Not the best.😄 Stay safe.👍

[@mraidymaddful]

I can't honestly see this bike selling very well, I mean who exactly is it designed for? I am older person who likes the Classic Royal Enfield/Harley Sportster style of bikes. This thing to me, has no real style to it. It's like asking someone who has never seen a cruiser bike to design one from a description of one. And then you say the engine has a lack of character to it. The whole bike lacks character and I can't honestly see modern young people getting machines like this as cruisers are more like the kind of machines that old farts like us ride and enjoy. I've heard a lot recently about the Chinese electric and ice vehicle market and the corruption therewith. Personally I'll stick with more traditional machines from manufacturers I can trust. Oh, and like my old Mum used to say, cheap doesn't necessarily mean good. And we all know, Mum is always right............

[@simongilbert2704]

there is no way an italian designed this heap ;;

[@BernardWilkinson]

Beautiful looking bike

[@stevecoppin4278]

Good Morning Dave , another cracking review on this bike , thank you for sharing it , nice enough bike but i think the rear of the bike is ugly the rear hugger spoils it for me tbh plus the exhaust could be better , so take care & ride safe

[@thebingleywheeler]

Thank you Steve yes I completely agree re the looks 😎👍🏻

[@martbau25]

How can anybody not think that is a good looking bike?

[@mikehurley5052]

Good test and review, i dont like the front or rear, that headlamp and rear hugger is hideous. Good job on the weight, take note RE. Same engine in the TRK range and loads of them in Italy. Personally i would pay extra and get the Vulcan S 650. Chinese bikes would not be much different to Indian makes.

[@thebingleywheeler]

Cheers Mike I hope to test the TRK going forward

[@mikehurley5052]

@@thebingleywheeler Look forward to that, i prefer the 502 over the 502x, bit more road biased.

[@slobo_k.2106]

how are vibrations in higher rpm

[@thebingleywheeler]

Not really noticeable

[@chrispomphrett4283]

I think this bike looks-wise was designed by someone who has never been anywhere near a motorcycle. Proportions are odd and the mix of styles all thrown at one machine doesn't help. Finally the colour can work on some machines... Here dog turd brown is the final nail in the coffin. It could be the most competent bike in the world but in a dealers showroom, I'd walk past it without a second glance...

[@thebingleywheeler]

Well I did say it would divide opinion 😂😂😂

[@zkamo2388]

The designer is the same who was designed the Ducati Diavel… if you don’t know, u can ask 😅

[@luckylotus11]

The greatest question is do u have enough money even to buy this ugly machine ...????😂😂

[@corinalaurentiaionescu8852]

Needs a bigger more powerful engine

[@Ainsworth-Rider]

Morning TBW I’m with you 100% with the feet forward it just doesn’t feel right for me 🤔 I think the Benelli is definitely copying the Ducati Diavel but with their marvellous 502cc engine 👍 PS never call a bike manufacturer remember when we would say I will never buy Jap crap 💩🤣🤣🤣 excellent review TBW 👍

[@thebingleywheeler]

Cheers James yes I meant Diageo not Monster….old age 😂😂😂

[@neloferreira5426]

Its the same bike as Zontes made and assembled in same factory and owned by the same people Benelli has nothing in Italy any more its all Chinese and is bad at after 10k km it starts having issues every were specialy high rpm and is very slow compared to a CB500

[@kevindarkstar]

Blimey! If you think these are further forward than the super meteor and thats at least 10" to 12" more than my 350 meteor it must be laid down 😂😂

[@thebingleywheeler]

That’s how it felt to me but I didn’t get the tape measure out 😂

[@frankmarkovcijr5459]

I have no desire at all for today 's bikes regardless of country of origin. Today's motorcycles are a collection of government regulations on 2 wheels.

[@simongilbert2704]

sorry , but what a mess that is ,, maybe you could test drive a mini digger and bury that piece of shite ,,, like your videos though ;; but have no faith in a dealer that could sell that abortion , please see funny side of this comment , thanks .

[@thebingleywheeler]

I do hope that my less than effusive appraisal told its own story 😂

[@luckylotus11]

Most of the hateres are those who cannot even afford to purchase benelli 502c in cash......its just that they cannot either own a harley or ducati or a triumph.....or the last option of purchasing a benelli. Just Dream fulfiller with second and third hand bikes are the critics here it seems...... but the truth is .... star wont fall to earth just because street dog barks at the sky...😂😂😂😂👍good day ugly people