Benelli TRK 702 Review

[@chrisweeks6973]

Nice review on very greasy roads, Ian. I too would have great difficulty geting aboard the thing with those luggage cases fitted; at 78 I'm a good bit less flexible or agile as I used to be!

[@ianhughesroyalenfield]

Thanks Chris. At some point, either mounting or dismounting, I felt my right hip click 🤔 😂 Don’t want it to do that too often as it has a tendency to lock 🙄, leaving me in agony while I try to manipulate it back into place. 🫣

[@mikehatswell3961]

Cracking first ride review Ian, I had a good look around one recently and was very impressed, it seems to be well put together and you definitely get a lot of bike for your money, especially with the luggage thrown in, for anyone looking for that style of bike it’s got to be something worth considering. All the best buddy 👍

[@ianhughesroyalenfield]

Thanks Mike. A good budget alternative to the ridiculously priced adventure tourers. Cheers

[@michaelgilbert3311]

Good review Ian as always.With all the goodies on offer then it must be a bike for consideration. Nice looking bike and value for money for an adventure bike. Abeit i would struggle to get on the bike with top box fitted etc. Ride safe. BFN Mike .Sunny Wales

[@ianhughesroyalenfield]

Thanks Mike. As you could see, I struggled to mount/dismount too 😂. From a not so sunny Carnforth ☔️

[@bazxl57]

Hi Ian, i was impressed at how stable the bike was when you were on the dual carriageway with those panniers on the bike. Not a fan of adventure bikes after owning a BMW GS 800 they can be a nightmare I was always keeping an eye on the camber of the road when coming to a stop. That Honda 500 you took out would be my choice the 500 imho has been the sweet spot for everyday do anything Hondas for decades. All the best Baz

[@ianhughesroyalenfield]

I totally agree Baz, I would choose the CB500X or new NX500. Less weight, less cumbersome. Cheers

[@stevenbatley8666]

Just been on road test,this bike has blown me away,what a peech and stunning looker❤

[@ianhughesroyalenfield]

Excellent, glad you enjoyed it 😎👍

[@RattlingSpanner]

Thanks for the video Ian. I've watched yours and other people's videos on the Benelli. I've ordered a 702x which, hopefully, will be here in a couple of weeks. As for its origin of manufacture, We've gone well past the point of no return... The vast majority of technology is now coming from the far East and India. As for the plank who got under your skin in the recent video. There are some people that would rather pick holes in the use of words rather understand than the sentiments behind them... Sadly there is nothing that you can do to change them so, as you have already done, delete them. Keep making the enjoyable videos. There's nothing wrong with your microphone. 👍

[@ianhughesroyalenfield]

Thanks for the kind words, much appreciated. The 702 / 702X seem to be well liked by owners, it’ll do everything a bike twice it’s price will do, so has to be a winner in my opinion. Cheers

[@markuswormann8852]

Nice Bike❤I didn't even know you got ALDI Store 's in the Uk😮 Greetings from Germany

[@ianhughesroyalenfield]

Thank you. Indeed we do, and Lidl 😉

[@nuttyoncrypto9863]

Thanks for the update

[@weemark67]

Loved review of that bike. I would need a step ladder, to get on and off😂

[@ianhughesroyalenfield]

😂 made worse by the semi detached houses either side 😂 Cheers

[@stevenbatley8666]

I'm only four foot six,I'm going to buy the road version

[@birchwoodbiker]

It sounds a nice motor, well spec bike, great vid

[@ianhughesroyalenfield]

Thank you, ☺️

[@MynameisMud-i3o]

Do you get a lot of vibrations through the rev range? The 502 is vibey

[@ianhughesroyalenfield]

It’s a while now since I rode the TRK702, but I can’t say that I remember noticing any vibes. Hope this helps.

[@emanuelperez2329]

Hi! How do you reach the ground with 79 cm seat high in a heavy bike? I am 1,64 m tall and I can only reach the ground with a little more than the toes.

[@ianhughesroyalenfield]

Hello, I am 1.75m tall, and have no problem touching the ground on the TRK. As I mentioned in the video, if I push myself down, I am flat foot with both feet, though more comfortable on the balls of my feet. At 1.64m I think you will really struggle with this bike, especially if there is a camber in the road when you come to a stop.

[@emanuelperez2329]

@@ianhughesroyalenfield thanks for your opinion. Good health and safe rides.

[@ianhughesroyalenfield]

@emanuelperez2329 all the best 👌

[@GapBahnDirk]

If I was going far enough to need that top box and pannier set, then I would rather go by car 😁😁. I am not a long distance tourer! Always good to see your reviews though 👍👍.

[@ianhughesroyalenfield]

Thanks Gap. They almost make the bike as wide as a car 😂

[@henryhartley9993]

Nice one Ian, a lot of bike for the money with all the luggage and extra bits....

[@ianhughesroyalenfield]

Thanks Henry, yes excellent value.

[@martinowl]

Certainly worth considering & a test ride if looking for this style of motorcycle, especially if there is a dealer nearby.

[@ianhughesroyalenfield]

Thanks Martin. Definitely worth a go 👍

[@ruahinesrider]

Benelli 502 been a big seller & quite torquey for 500cc.They are Italian designed & made in China like RE with Interceptor & Gt designed in UK made in India I think 🤔 RE models designed in India but not sure. Benelli bikes are on the heavy side compared to competitors but they're reliable.Benelli & CFMoto are both reliable bikes & have options on them that high end bikes have for their price.Benelli Leocino 500 is what the new Harley Davidson x500 we have in Australia,NZ 🇳🇿 but with better styling & metal tank fenders & HD logo on headlight & cost 3k more than the Benelli Leocino so 2k worth if metal parts & styling & 1k for HD monika🤣.The Benelli Leocino & HD x500 are essentially the same frame & shape,engine & cones fully loaded with twin 4pot brakes & 50mm fully adjustable forks so overkill for a 500cc.If the 702 TRK is anything like the 502TRK which uses same motor as Leocino 500, HD x500 should be pretty good & reliable & TRK 502 fans be asking & eagerly waiting for the 702 as 502 is good & great LAMS(A2) bike but people want more power & there is a Benelli Leocino 700 Scrambler model.

[@ianhughesroyalenfield]

Have you seen the Benelli 752S ? I really like the look of that, especially in the green. I would sincerely like to know how Benelli managed to get the exhaust through regulations, as it is very fruity out of the crate. Cheers

[@ruahinesrider]

Benelli make a 800cc motor too & think 🤔 there's a 800 ADV coming too with bigger front wheel. I don't know if you get CF Moto in UK but we do & my mate works in Dealership that sells CF Moto & they make the KTM 690 engine for KTM so the CF Moto 700's use the KTM 700 & they come fully loaded like a 900 ADV from big brands but half the price.The CF Moto 700 ADV is about 16k I think 🤔. Motomorini do a ADV as well & Chinese made Italian designed.

[@ianhughesroyalenfield]

@ruahinesrider thanks RR, yes we do get CFmoto and Moto Morini, but there aren’t that many dealers, especially up the North of the UK. I would like a go on the CFmoto 450MT, as all the reviews I have seen are off road focused. The Morini X-Cape is a cracking looking bike, but too tall for me. It is fitted with the same engine as in the Seiemmezzo, which I have ridden, and other than a clunky gearbox, is a cracking bike with top quality hardware. CFmoto supply the engine for those too.

[@ruahinesrider]

@@ianhughesroyalenfield Yes I have seen the 752s 77hp 67Nm at 6500rpm 14L tank 227kg so about 15-20kg heavier than competitors but all Benelli are on heavy side I've noticed.Similar to Suzuki 650 & that's on heavy side.The CF Moto 700 uses KTM designed 690 motor so is pretty good as their Smaller engines are not the KTM design like the 650cc is quite a bit less powerful than the 700cc.I have heard that their 450 motor is really good too. My mate who works in shop that sells them loves them & said the 700 is amazing for the price & KTM motor & HE did a video.

[@ruahinesrider]

@@ianhughesroyalenfield Guy's like us 5'9" don't like the tall bikes. The 752s has good torque delivery I got a magazine article & guy was popping wheelies on it & liked it but said it was bit heavy but that's a Benelli thing they might have beefy frames or something.The 800 is just the 752 with different map they use it in the Leocino 800 Trail & is coming out as a TRK 800 apparently but as a ADV 21" front wheel probably.The 702TRK has a 19" front.

[@5dTraveller]

Thanks Ian. looks the part, sounds good and goes well but if I was buying one it would have to be the 702X, a long distance bike without a centre stand is a non-starter. The handlebars look too skinny and would be bent after the first drop, I think bars that long and thin should be braced. That makes me wonder what else a close examination might reveal as being a bit below par. Good for the price and probably fine for the odd weekend trip but for serious travelling I'd rather spend a bit more and get something built tougher with a longer service interval. Cheers, Mick

[@ianhughesroyalenfield]

Thanks Mick. The service intervals really aren't that good, especially for something sold as a "long distance tourer". I agree about the centre stand too, really annoys me that bikes don't come with them as std. Cheers

[@Ainsworth-Rider]

Morning Ian 😊 I enjoyed this review shame. The roads were so bad it would have been good to see you putting the 702 through her paces but at £6700 she's a bargain, my money would still go for a NX500 😊

[@ianhughesroyalenfield]

Me too James, or a nearly new CB500X 👍

[@BlakesPipes]

The price is amazing. Sport tourer for under 8k. But I am guessing I did not look for comparable bikes in the ADV bikes when I picked out the Concours.

[@ianhughesroyalenfield]

£6700 otr is ridiculous for what you get Blake. Cheers

[@esrider7765]

They are interesting bikes. However being Chinese I wonder how long spare parts will be available for ?

[@ianhughesroyalenfield]

A good question……..🤔

[@melfzs]

As you know Ian I've got a 2014 Vstrom 650, it does everything I need it to , and have no need to buy any other type or make of dual purpose tourer, it'll do me until it or me turn to dust! 😆 , but there is a great choice of these types of bikes to choose from these days, they're all reliable and do their job , and as for the Chinese knockers, they need to accept Chinese quality has moved on a lot from years ago, ..my missus has a Zontes GK125 scrambler and the build quality and spec are excellent ,and it's been ridden through winter regularly by myself with no issues, (well apart from the owners manual been written in Chinglish) but you soon learn to decipher it 😅 , anyway my point is they're not crap anymore. That Benelli is a nice looking bike and a good price ,but as has already been said the CB500X is a belter of a bike especially if you get a second hand bargain , great review, 👌 Cheers Mel 🍻

[@ianhughesroyalenfield]

Thanks Mel. You hit the nail on the head, and as much as I liked the TRK, I would go with a CB500X, really because it fits me better.

[@blearyview2254]

Not found a review of this bike where it been slated. Great value for money as bikes from the big boys are getting stupidly expensive. You soon get used to getting the leg over the seat when panniers are fitted, even this old bloke managed it 🤣🤣🤣

[@ianhughesroyalenfield]

Thanks Alex. It’s a good bike….with good hardware. A bit weighty, and to be fair, my knackered hips don’t help with trying to throw my leg over 😂

[@blearyview2254]

@@ianhughesroyalenfield All that dancing has taken it's toll against the hips then 🤣🤣🤣

[@ianhughesroyalenfield]

@blearyview2254 yes, and the back flips didn’t do my knees any favours either 😭😂

[@crumblymal8479]

Adventures aren't my cup of T Ian but as they go this one looks a good value well spect bike good review and good watch I completely agree on the panniers a box would be ok for me and as you say throw overs would be enough if I needed anything at all . The Chinese thing is of no consequence to me personally if it's a good well built bike with style and they seem to be these days why not when you look at bikes like Ducati which cost a fortune and KTM's they can all have issues .I'll say no more 😉👌👍

[@ianhughesroyalenfield]

Thanks Mal. As you know from my CB500X video, I quite fancy a comfortable bike to go further (in a day 😉, not into long distance tours over a few days), but as I mentioned I would junk those pannier boxes. The TRK 702 shouldn’t be ignored if looking for a bike of this ilk, you could almost buy 3 for the price of a Tiger 1200 😂 and depreciation wouldn’t hurt quite as much either 🤦‍♂️

[@crumblymal8479]

@@ianhughesroyalenfield Very true I should try one just to see what it's like before discounting them .👍

[@Peter234100]

It baffles me why a chain driven bike is not fitted with a centre stand 🤨As for turning left when you said right, my wife is so bad we now say my way or your way when we are in the car 😂😂😂 Other than the centre stand a very well specked bike. 😊

[@ianhughesroyalenfield]

Totally agree Peter, a bike of this weight is a pain to put on a paddock stand 🙄. Good to hear it’s not just me who is muddled 😂

[@ianhalliwell8604]

Good bike, good price, excellent package but would i buy it before a Honda, NO.

[@ianhughesroyalenfield]

I agree Ian. Apart from anything else, the TRK is too big and heavy by comparison 😉