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Benelli’s TRK 702X (proven) and TRK 702 are the most recent journey bikes from the Italian model. (Benelli/)

Benelli was based in 1911 by the six Benelli brothers, and deserves to be remembered among the many nice manufacturers of motorcycling—not solely of Italian motorcycling. It shouldn’t be forgotten that Benelli was the final to win the 250 GP World title with a motorbike powered by a four-stroke engine. That alone carved Benelli a seat in motorcycling’s Mount Olympus. However not all was milk and honey. On the loss of life of the final of the Benelli brothers, the producer slowly contracted its enterprise, altering palms a number of instances too many. It lastly went bankrupt in 2005, when it was acquired by Chinese language large Qianjiang. From then on Benelli began a gradual restoration supported by the large advertising potential of the Asian market.

Benelli’s first massive hit got here with the TRK 502, a properly designed touring enduro that associates a gentle and clean 360-degree parallel twin and a strong chassis. The engine delivers a claimed 48 hp with a flat torque curve and the chassis is effectively balanced and options top-quality suspension and braking parts. From the large success of the TRK 502, Benelli began creating an entire vary of parallel twins.

Behind the 502 got here the 800 engine, which in actuality displaces 754cc and contains a 270-degree crankshaft. This engine has been floating round for years, having been conceived previous to the acquisition by Qianjiang and it took quite a lot of cautious work to convey it to passable efficiency ranges and match it to the non-US TRK 800, one other GT-enduro mannequin that follows the identical aesthetic and technical parameters that led the TRK 502 to its massive success in Europe.

The TRK 702 is the street-focused of the 2 new fashions with forged aluminum wheels and street tires. (Benelli/)

Now comes the TRK 702 that may be thought to be an intermediate mannequin—although its actual displacement may be very near that of the TRK 800 at 698cc. Nonetheless, the engine is in regards to the dimension and the load of the 502 to the purpose that it was attainable to harness it in the identical body of the 502. Each fashions weigh almost the identical, separated by a mere 4.4 kilos: 469.5 kilos for the TRK 502 and 473.9 for the TRK 702. That is the affirmation of the outstanding technical evolution that the Benelli Mission Engineering Division has gone by within the final six years.

The 698cc parallel is an oversquare unit that includes a 83mm bore and 64.5mm stroke. Bore and stroke numbers don’t relate to these of both the 502 and of the 800 and rumor has it the brand new twin is likely to be impressed by the Kawasaki Z650 twin; once we verify the numbers the bore is identical 83mm of the Kawi whereas the stroke has been elevated to 64.5mm to get the bigger displacement.

Chain-driven twin overhead cams function 4 valves per cylinder, respiration by two 41mm throttle our bodies. A compression ratio of 11.6:1 has been adopted to acquire a claimed 70 hp peak energy at 8,000 rpm with 51.6 lb.-ft. of peak torque at 6,000 rpm. Particular energy and torque are higher than these generated by each the 502 and the 800cc items. The 698 is homologated in accordance with Euro 5 emission requirements and all engine electronics administration is dealt with by a Bosch MSE 6 ECU that gives traction management and interacts with the ABS management unit.

Benelli claims 70 hp from the 702’s 698cc engine. (Benelli/)

The chassis relies on a metal tubing trellis body an identical to the 502 unit, however additional triangulated on the entrance to incorporate new engine mounts. Metal tubing is 32mm in diameter with 3mm gauge to make sure structural reliability in face of the very tough roads these bikes must digest.

Wheelbase spans a considerable 59.3 inches to acquire a well-balanced weight distribution even with two aboard. The gasoline tank holds 5.3 gallons and but is properly styled and effectively built-in with the profile of the aggressive entrance part that contains a sturdy beak-shaped false fender. An ergonomically formed seat ensures help and luxury to the rider and passenger. Apparently, seat top at 31 inches is barely decrease than that of the TRK 502; this element additional confirms a extra refined world design.

Entrance suspension is a Marzocchi 50mm fork that strikes by 5.5 inches of wheel journey. On the rear an aluminum swingarm ensures a 6.1-inch wheel journey together with a link-actuated, totally adjustable shock absorber. The brand new Benelli 702 rolls on 120/70-17 and 160/60-17 Pirelli Angel GT radials, and the braking system options twin 320mm rotors squeezed by radial-mount four-piston calipers which might be marked Benelli, although they seem like Brembo, or like copies of Brembo’s celebrated items.

A 5-inch TFT show acts as a connectivity middle that integrates through Bluetooth to the smartphone. By downloading a selected utility, the smartphone receives fixed updates that flip the instrumentation show right into a Wi-Fi related navigation system.

Benelli TRK 702X

Benelli 702 has been developed in two variations, the common street tourer and a semi-adventurous dirt-road explorer. Nothing radical, only a sensible duplication of a well-conceived platform with the intention to enchantment to a wider public.

Weighing simply 4.4 kilos greater than the TRK 502, the TRK 702X and TRK 702 can have an elevated power-to-weight ratio. (Benelli/)

Wanting intently, we see the 702X shares all basic parts—engine, body, suspensions, brakes, using posture, and primary styling—simply with a contact of extra spirited graphics. For harder using situations come spoked wheels and extra dirtworthy tires. On the entrance a 19-inch basic aluminum rim and metal spoked wheel replaces the common 17-inch forged aluminum unit, whereas on the rear the wire wheel retains the 17-inch dimension. Right here, the wheels are shod with Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR in 110/80-19 and 150/70-17 measurements. Equipment and electronics suite are the identical, with the only addition of hand guards on the grips.

Pricing within the US has not been confirmed. Keep tuned.

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