[//M]

Benelli has unveiled three new motorcycles – the TRK 502, Leoncino and Tornado 302 – at the 2015 EICMA show.

Source: ACI



Benelli TRK 502

The TRK 502 is powered by a 499.6cc, in-line two cylinder, liquid-cooled engine. Four valves per cylinder are in place too. It makes 46.9bhp of power at 8,500rpm and 4.6kgm of torque at 4,500rpm. The gearbox is a six-speed unit, while the chassis is tubular steel fabricated.

For suspension, the TRK 502 uses USD forks in the front and a pre-load adjustable rear monoshock. Braking is carried out by Brembo made twin petal type discs in the front, 320mm each and at rear a single disc that measures 260mm. The TRK 502 gets the safety feature of ABS brakes. The new Benelli gets knobby type, 19-inch tyres up front and a 17-inch rear tyre, from Metzeler. Ground clearance is a tall 230mm, good for an adventure motorcycle. The fuel-tank capacity is a tourer-friendly 20 litres.

Benelli Leoncino

The scrambler category is about to get a brand new addition as Benelli unveiled the Leoncino at EICMA. In the flesh, the Leoncino looks modern and like one that has been finished with high- quality materials.

The matte-finished single headlight gets an LED insert. The tank design flows over to meet its side and rear panels elegantly, the opposite of what scramblers stand for, yet done in tasteful fashion. The single seat is part finished in Alcantara leather, while the tail panel ends with an LED taillight. The exhaust has dual outlets. Tyres are by Continental on the prototype, shod on 19-inch rims in the front, and a 17-inch unit at the rear.

The Leoncino is powered by a 499.6cc, twin-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine that has a four-valve per cylinder layout, and dual overhead camshafts. It makes 46.9bhp of power at 8,500rpm and 4.6kgm of torque at 4,500rpm. A six-speed gearbox is used.

Suspension is via USD forks in the front, and a preload adjustable rear monoshock. Braking is done by dual 320mm petal discs front, and a single 260mm disc at rear, with the support of ABS. The Leoncino has a 15-litre fuel-tank capacity.

Benelli Tornado 302

The Tornado 302 is powered by a 300cc, in-line two cylinder, and liquid-cooled engine that makes 34.8bhp at a high 12,000rpm, and a healthy 2.7kgm of torque at 9,000rpm. The Tornado 302 has a six-speed gearbox, and uses a steel tube frame. It uses an USD fork set-up in the front and monoshock at the rear.

Braking is via dual, 260mm petal discs in front, with a single 240mm rear disc brake, with an ABS system. Tyres are by Metzeler, on 17 inch wheels.

[neil.jericho]

Of all the new models launched at EICMA, the TRK and the Leoncino grabbed my attention the most. With ABS, a 20 litre fuel tank, adequate power for my usage and what looks to be a comfortable pillion seat, I could quite see myself owning a TRK if it is reasonably priced. Benelli has come quite a long way indeed. Well done!


Now all eyes on Auto Expo and the crucial matter of on road pricing in Bangalore.

[man_of_steel]

TRK and the Leoncino definitely have my curiosity and attention! Decent spec sheet too! If priced properly the 500cc adv tourer can grab many customers. Afterall we are all waiting for the CB500X and Versys 650!

The Tornado 302 is also a crucial motorcycle IMHO, it could be taken as a hint that they might do the same with the 600i! A fully faired 600i with rearsets and clipons will be a mouth-watering proposition.

[theexperthand]

++ to what Neil and MOS have started. The TRK have all the ingredients to make it a success and this is one bike I will look forward to own one day. I hope the wire wheels are tubeless - after enjoying the freedom given by tubeless tyres on a motorcycle, I do not want to go back to tube type tyers ever.

--Anoop

[navin_v8]

Wow lovely find. The Benelli TRK 502 gets my dough. It ticks all the right boxes for being an adventure tourer like 20 litre fuel tank, knobby tires, spoked wheels(the deciding factor for me atleast), high ground clearance, just enough power and torque required for touring, pannier mounting, etc. The only thing that sticks out like a sore thumb is that puny silencer, it looks like an afterthought hush hush job. Now Benelli bring this to India and price it around 5 lakhs on road and I will be the first one to buy it.

Looking at the other two models I can say that the Italians sure know how to design a motorcycle and likewise they are the best in business when it comes to design with flair. The scrambler looks Yummy and can give its Italian cousin Ducati Scrambler 400 a tough fight.

[ebonho]

The TRK 502 sure looks the part (except for that really ugly really weedy exhaust) but I'm not really sure if an inline twin is the way to go for an adventure tourer.

If Benelli price it right - and there's no reason they should not, seeing as how their bigger 600 cc inline-4 is priced at just around 5.5L on road - then this could be the answer to the never ending wait for a small-ish adventure from KTM using their existing Duke platforms.

[Haroon]

These new models sure are eye catching and most certainly they will be priced competitively by Benelli.

However, I gather from few Benelli owners that there are some nagging build quality issues in their present bikes (notably uneven paint finish, rusting parts in non-coastal areas & small electrical issues) which dont need drastic tooling changes but probably a little more attention to detail from Benelli. And I hope Benelli addresses them sooner or else they should not become just another of those Chinese bikes that have a famous Benelli tank badge instead of a Chin-choo or Ding dong or Keyway!

While the bikes are good value for money, I hope they take these things seriously rather than a 'kooch bhi chalta hai for the price' attitude for Indian customers.

[neil.jericho]

I called up the Benelli showroom in Bangalore to find out if they had any idea about potential availability or pricing of the new bikes but they dont have any information right now. Looks like we will have to wait till the Auto Expo. The on road price of the 600i is Rs 6.58 lacs (with the special edition at 6.83) and the GT without panniers works out to Rs 7.27 lacs.


To my limited knowledge, the 500cc twin cylinder is a new engine block so factoring in the cost of developing an all new platform and our limited volumes, I would guesstimate and be happy with an on road price of around Rs 5.25 lacs (give or take 25K).

[Red Liner]

The trk is just brilliant! Ticks all the right boxes. They should bring it here soon. I hope they keep the kerb weight low. Say about 150kgs.

[ebonho]

Originally Posted by Red Liner

Say about 150kgs.

How are they going to manage that?

I cannot see a bike that looks like that weighing as much as a KTM Duke 390.

My guess would be 170-180 odd kilos dry. Which means nudging 200 with a full tank of fuel.

P.S. Man that reverse cone megaphone is so not happening on an adventure tourer.

[Red Liner]

Originally Posted by ebonho

How are they going to manage that?

I cannot see a bike that looks like that weighing as much as a KTM Duke 390.

My guess would be 170-180 odd kilos dry. Which means nudging 200 with a full tank of fuel.

P.S. Man that reverse cone megaphone is so not happening on an adventure tourer.

Wishful thinking I know. Guess it's time to hit cross fit.

The silencer looks dumb. That will be the first thing to go.

But this bike is very exciting. Very exciting. If it gets on road under 5 in bangalore the versys will have its task cut out.

[jaysmokesleaves]

WOW !! The Trk looks really good. Good to see more options in the tourer space. The kit on offer looks very good and tempting too. I guess it wont weigh in very heavy too compared to other larger capacity tourers available in India. The exhaust could be redesigned. It somehow doesnt gel with the look of the entire bike.

[a*ed]

Man that Leoncino is absolutely drool-worthy! I hope they price it under 5 lacs and it would definitely sell well.
First the Ducati Scrambler Sixty2 and now this! The Scrambler scene in India is indeed heating up.

[ebonho]

Originally Posted by Red Liner

If it gets on road under 5 in bangalore the versys will have its task cut out.

A lac too much, in my opinion.

The Versys is a bigger and lot more powerful bike.

This one (Benelli) is a different weight class. Essentially the same power as a Duke 390 on an adventure platform.

The main additions being seats, suspension, wheels, screen and tank. The spoked wheels and dual purpose tyres absolute ly hit the right notes.

A 1.5-1.75 lac premium would be the sweet spot. Max.

That's about 4 lacs. Same territory as the pricier (but much higher brand equity) Yam and Kawa 300 cc twins.

[theredliner]

The Tornado 302 is beautiful and caught my attention. In a way, it kind of looks like what the 2014 Karizma ZMR was trying hard to be, but just couldn't

I hope they come up with a more aggressive Tornado 600 in the future. The segment is untouched in India with the exception of Daytona which is out of reach of most buyers due to high price.
They already have the old R6 engine in TNT 600i.
Modify the components for tighter handling and sportier posture, retune the engine for higher peak power ~ 100 BHP, add ABS, price it at 1-1.5L premium over TNT 600i and we have a 600cc inline 4 supersport bike many Indians dreamt of, since a long time, at a relatively affordable price. Back to reality now