Benelli TRK 500 Review

[@hobnob15]

Of course the question is Dave would you trade -in any of your bikes to get one?

[@thebingleywheeler]

Not personally no

[@hobnob15]

@@thebingleywheeler that’s all I needed to know Dave 👍🏻

[@turningwheels2584]

Nice vid, just a few things, this is the non x road version, i have one. The seat hight is 800mm, the front wheel is 17in and the weight is 213kg (the x is 235kg, I've had mine weighed with nearly a full tank). It's a great bike which I've ridden a few thousand miles on now..... Fyi soooo much more comfy than my versys i had. Cheers.

[@AliasMrHackenbacker]

Great review Dave. The bike has a high VFM only if you intend to keep it a long while and basically run it into the ground. I dont wish to duplicate what others have said regarding residue value and lack of spares. I would also point potential buyers at the Honda or Vstrom 650 either used or new. Maybe if Benelli set up their own distribution and spares back up would they start to become a more viable buy?

[@rontheretiredone]

You said the seat height is 840mm? The x version is that height not the 502, which is supposed to be 800? Can you clarify those figures Dave? Thanks

[@stevecoppin4278]

Good Morning Dave , Another cracking review on this bike for the price you can't go wrong , like you i don't like white motorcycles tbh the only thing im not keen on is the rear mud slinger , i know the Wiltshire Man friend Dickie had a Benelli trk 502x which he just got rid of because he couldn't get spares he bought a Suzuki 800 vstrom so take care & ride safe

[@thebingleywheeler]

Cheers Steve yes parts always an issue

[@allanhughes7859]

Sold a bema 1200 gs for one of these best thing I ever did to get rid of that over rated pile of .......Let me down loads of times and B.M.W. did not give a dam service costs at over £100 per hour parts that you needed to save up for and all that B.M.W. wanted to do was to sell you another new bike. Anyway I am really happy with the 502 and so far so good no issues at all !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Good rev by the way !!!!!!!!

[@philipgaylor9307]

I have one just like it and your review is pretty much spot on. The front wheel on these is actually a 17 incher, the 19 inch rim you mention comes on the more off-road focused X model, which also features a centre stand, spoked wheels and high mounted exhaust.

[@turningwheels2584]

Which makes it 235kg, the non x version is actually only 213kg.

[@markrigg7038]

There is an italian guy who's channel is called Zero Highways has done 83000km on a 502, nearly all off road, he reckons it's a pretty tough bike

[@markhinde6187]

Great review for a cheap adventure option with all the extras, If you are going to keep it a long time great, if you are going to trade it after a couple of years prepare yourself for a shock at it,s low value.

[@RRRRefuelRideRace]

This is so true. :) It is even hard to sell it. Drop by to check my content. You may like it. Cheers.

[@windwalker583]

Also..it's 17 inch wheels on front and back not 19 and 17 on standard wheels .. the X has 17 and 19 with spokes...

[@RRRRefuelRideRace]

For the money you pay you get a lot. I think that this one has the 835 mm seat. The X model has the seat a bit higher and that is at 860 mm. :) Great video. Enjoyed.

[@turningwheels2584]

No, it's 800mm, i have one 👍

[@daveb2wright]

I had the Leoncino 500 which shares many parts with this bike. I enjoyed the experience but it was let down by the build quality. A few issues like brake discs, water pump and Speedo faults were dealt with swiftly by the importer thankfully.

[@mikehurley5052]

Seat height should be 800mm, 840mm is the x version.

[@graememoitie9776]

Put 16k on mine over 4 years with no problems at all other than a sticking front caliper during its first winter. Regular use of acf50 and washing down after winter runs paid dividends with no rust showing at time of trade in. Went for it's bigger brother 702 and put 10k on that in 9mths only issue with the bigger version being a rubber band chain. Unfortunately it was written off following an accident a couple of weeks back. That brings me to the big issue the insurer enquired to the importer availability of spare parts for repair not one item if the list given was available in the UK. Would I get another, probably not, done that got the t shirt and will probably look for something different next time round. Overall 8/10 for the bikes 1/10 for the importer.

[@graememoitie9776]

Should have said I'm UK based

[@17405pop]

I test rode one of these, looking to swap from a Yamaha xt660. It's true that you seem to get a lotta bike for your bucks but there's an awful lot of plastic covering up a less than average build quality. I wasn't ever so impressed with the the power delivery either or, it's short service interval. I cover quite a few kilometers across a year so that was a bit off-putting for me as well. I stalled making the swap for so long that the Honda 500 NX arrived and I gave it a try. No contest in overall build quality. The wee Honda's plush in comparison. Not nearly as well equipped as the Benelli for sure but. I chickened out and bought the Honda A superb big-little bike. If you like a bit o' bling though, the Benelli has that. For me though, it's a bit like comparing Jordan to Kate Middleton.

[@dezmondwhitney1208]

This was a good review. It covered everything and was very fair. An interesting Bike. Thanks.

[@neilheyes6651]

Morning Dave, looking forward to the test on the bigger brother do like the look of that one

[@thebingleywheeler]

Cheers Neil

[@01tabuu]

Currently on the verge of a purchase, the benelli and cf moto 650 Mt are my choosing, being a first time rider at 56, also from Australia, this has helped, thanks. btw, 6ft1 and 230 lbs, size not intimidating.

[@kevindarkstar]

The huge issue with these, the elephant in the room so to speak is spares availability, which according to many people seems to be a problem, so I'd say a year old honda or similar would kick this thing to the curb 😊 also the residual will be poor after a couple of years 😢

[@BelgiumGOAT]

Not true anymore for Europe tho, In Italy this bike was most sold and they have already a good amount of dealers for Benelli in Belgium, i asked about them and they said they could get any parts, also in the Netherlands. Depending where u are it might be not so good to get parts but for Europe its good.

[@VFRMitch]

It’s right at that price point. New one of the these or a second hand VStrom. Some people will be lured by the new bike warranty. Personally VStrom 650 or CB500X at a year old makes more sense.

[@travisperkins100]

Why the fugly beak over the front wheel!!!!?

[@GaryUnwin-u2x]

Needed to hear more on the windscreen

[@PhilipBallGarry]

Fantastic review again TBW 👌. All our obvious questions answered in the right order. I know the ubiquitous GS range is often the "go to" for many (and for a lot of people it's what they want), but honestly this will do everything a BMW will do for a lot less money (and weight) and might actually be the bike they need. Performance wise this bike is also in a bit of a sweet spot for our roads in the UK too.

[@thebingleywheeler]

Perfectly put there Philip

[@rockgsxr]

if your sweet spot is a self induced coma , i'd rather have an old bmw f650 than this abomination , it's like the chinese have entered the motorcycle market and sucked the fun out of it with their "it'll do the job" appliances and that paralell twin they've ripped off has found it's way into everything lately ,spreading like a joy killing cancer.

[@cloggsy1971]

I loved the TRK502X when I test rode it. Engine sounded like a baby GS. Rode really well too… Very underrated IMHO.

[@dazphilpott2876]

The TRK and X is built in Italy

[@WyreForestBiker]

I won't get into the obvious Residual's/ Spares / Long term quality debate but that is the most strangely positioned USB port I have ever seen 😆🤣

[@henryhartley9993]

Nice one TBW, what you get for the price is pretty special, the included extras must add up to at least a £1,000...

[@1990-t1j]

Heavy for the engine, but they are reliable. Nick J

[@peter236uk1]

Been looking at one of these I have a Himalayan and feel that might give me a little more comfort and speed for longer trips

[@royston5645]

Replaced my Himi for a TRK 502, never looked back. difference between a tractor and a car.

[@turningwheels2584]

​@@royston5645me too, i had a 2018 himy for 6 years, changes it for a 502 non x in January..... Felt like a speed demon hahaha

[@rickh8380]

Nice review as always Dave. I'm really an inline four person myself. I love the sound those engines make. The Benelli TNT600 looks very interesting indeed. Ride safe and keep the rubber side down. Cheers

[@colinmcnally5931]

Its not a destroyer of anything as you try getting spares for these!!! They infact destroy themselves for that reason

[@turningwheels2584]

Spares everyehere in the uk, if you can't get what you're looking for buy from italy! I do job done.

[@joebloggs1583]

Unfortunately that’s the biggest problem with Chinese bikes the price points are getting to close to quality proven Japanese stuff so make less sense now especially poor trade in values😎👍

[@richardthingsilike9562]

You may be suprised how much of that quality proven Japanese stuff is made in china!?

[@rosshickman2777]

Arthur Askeys act never deviated during his very long career! He was ok to watch the first few times. 🤷🏻‍♂️ He’d have been far too short for the TRK tbf.

[@thebingleywheeler]

Yes he was a sort arse 😂

[@roadstrom]

I test rode one about 2 weeks ago and ummm 🤔 built to a price is another word for sh#t , no offense

[@thebingleywheeler]

That’s not really true though is it?

[@roadstrom]

@@thebingleywheeler hey you can look at though rose colored glasses if you wish they are what they are cheap and nasty

[@thebingleywheeler]

Where is your evidence to support such a dismissive statement?

[@roadstrom]

@@thebingleywheeler 43 years of riding bikes

[@cloggsy1971]

Looking forward to the TRK702X 😊

[@andrewdyson4255]

What ! - White bikes rule, you could scrap the bike and get most of your money back for the luggage. A no brainer if you are in the market for that type of bike

[@JIMWSMITH]

Been on a trk page on Facebook for a couple of years , and these bikes are very reliable. The x version seems to sell better being more offroad capable and does look better . Its sold very well in Europe , and Italy's best selling bike beating the gs . These are a good used buy , with some bargains out there if you look ..

[@rockgsxr]

the adventure bike from "wish"

[@drdoolittle5724]

Tried to watch but having been bitten by one, could not go any further - Bike appears a 'deal' but could get no spares then when I tried to sell it everybody just fell about laughing! Gone back to Honda, spares falling off trees and just made a profit on my well used Mode, whereas cheap chinese 2021 bikes folk cannot give away!

[@thebingleywheeler]

Did you try “we bike” in China

[@drdoolittle5724]

@@thebingleywheeler i wanted a relationship with a dealer, not a courier who might or might nor have what i need! Anyway, when is your TRK being delivered?

[@kevindarkstar]

It's give-ey not jiv-ey 😉

[@thebingleywheeler]

@kevindarkstar Italian G is pronounced J when it comes before an i as in Giovanni, Giotto, Ginaro, ?

[@kevindarkstar]

@@thebingleywheeler fair point

[@kevindarkstar]

Mind you, it's Italian, but we are not 😏 and this is the same as Akrapovic, which is pronounced a-crap-o-vitch

[@ironkcirb285]

You say give-ey dave says jiv-ey ,all this fuss over a plastic box😉

[@kevindarkstar]

@@ironkcirb285 always fun to fuss over ya box lad 🤣