Benelli Introduces First US Models for 2024 Lineup

[Hugh Janus]

First revealed last summer, the Benelli 702X is leading the brand’s 2024 lineup for the US market. (Benelli/)

Benelli’s model introductions at EICMA 2023 consisted of a pair of parallel-twin middleweights and an entry-level single, but for 2024, it’s launching a raft of bikes for the US market. The brand (owned by Chinese giant Qianjiang) brings an initial lineup consisting of no less than seven Benelli models, some of which are making their first appearance on these shores. The list includes the new TRK 702 and 702X we first saw last summer; the return of the massively successful TRK 502 street and 502X adventure bikes; the 302S streetbike; the all-new Imperiale 400; and the TNT135 mini model.

The new 702X adventure bike features a liquid-cooled 698cc parallel-twin engine, 50mm USD fork, and fully adjustable rear shock. (Benelli/)

2024 Benelli TRK 702X

The biggest splash comes from the new TRK 702 and 702X models, which were designed at the brand’s Benelli R&D and Style Center in Pesaro, Italy. The two bikes share many of the same features and components, though the flagship TRK 702X adventure bike is a bit more dirt-biased. A liquid-cooled fuel-injected 698cc parallel-twin engine rated at 70 hp at 8,000 rpm and 51.6 lb.-ft. of torque at 6,000 rpm powers both, with a six-speed gearbox acting in conjunction with a wet slipper clutch and torque converter (the gearbox is actually removable on the clutch side) to smooth out shifts.

(In our First Look, we noted that the 698 engine is homologated in accordance with Euro 5 emission standards as well.)

The shared chassis consists of a steel trellis frame married to a 50mm USD fork with a not-very-adventurous 5.5 inches of travel, and an aluminum swingarm with a fully adjustable monoshock delivering 6.8 inches of rear axle travel. The braking arrangement offers dual 320mm discs up front with two-piston floating calipers, and a single 260mm diameter disc on the rear with a single-piston floating caliper, both with ABS. On the 702X, you get steel-spoked, aluminum alloy rims (19-inch front, 17-inch rear) both fitted with Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR 110/80-19 and 150/70-17 tires.

On the cockpit side, the TRK 702X is outfitted with a 5-inch TFT color display with Bluetooth connectivity and handlebar controls for answering or ending calls, while perched above the requisite ADV beak are a pair of LED headlights with a brief windscreen up top. Fuel capacity is given at 5.3 gallons, and a centerstand is included; Benelli says options like heated grips and seats, windscreen, and luggage are also available. With an MSRP of $8,499, the TRK 702X will come in Anthracite Grey, Forest Green, white, and Moon Grey when it hits dealers.

Related: New 2024 Benellis Shown at EICMA

The more street-biased TRK 702 rolls on cast 17-inch wheels and has more robust front brakes than its 702X relative but is otherwise the same. (Benelli/)

2024 Benelli TRK 702

The near-identical street version of the 702X, the TRK 702 simply deletes the grippier rubber and slips on a more road-biased set of 17-inch cast aluminum hoops and street tires front and rear, but otherwise has pretty much the same features of the X model (though the centerstand is an option). Front fork travel remains unchanged at 5.5 inches, while rear travel is reduced to 6 inches. The 702′s front brakes are also a bit beefier, with same 320mm semi-floating discs up front but mated to four-piston calipers.

The same heated grips, accessory windscreen, protection bars, and luggage are available as add-ons, and the Benelli TRK 702 is available in Anthracite Grey, Forest Green, and Pearl White, with an MSRP of $7,899.

The bestselling (in Italy, anyway) and nicely equipped TRK 502X adventure bike is back for 2024 with an MSRP of $6,699. (Benelli/)

2024 Benelli TRK 502X

Returning to the American market is the bestselling bike in Italy, the Benelli TRK 502X. Key features include a liquid-cooled parallel twin-cylinder DOHC engine said to produce 47.6 hp at 8,500 rpm and 34 lb.-ft. of torque at 6,000 rpm. An attractive trellis frame holds an upside-down 50mm fork with 5.5 inches of travel, and the central monoshock is adjustable for spring preload, rebound, and compression, with 6 inches of travel.

Braking is handled via 320mm dual discs with two-piston floating calipers (though we should note the website indicates four-piston units) up front, and a 260mm disc at the rear. The wire-spoked, aluminum 19/17 wheelset carries a 110/80-19 tire up front, with the rear holding a 150/70-17 tire.

Like the 702X, the TRK 502X’s front also features dual headlights above an ADV-style beak, though its windscreen looks a bit more robust and standard equipment includes handguards, adjustable handlebars, a centerstand, crashbars, and a luggage rack. To that you can pile on accessory items like aluminum side bags and a taller windscreen. The TRK 502X comes in Glossy Yellow and Charcoal Grey, with an MSRP of just $6,699.

Related: 2024 Benelli TRK 702 and 702X First Look

The streetwise 2024 TRK 502 swaps in street tires, changes up the colors, and skips the centerstand in favor of a lower MSRP. (Benelli/)

2024 Benelli TRK 502

You can probably guess the difference between the TRK 502 and TRK 502X; it’s mainly the wheels. The 502 model gets more street-appropriate 17-inch wheels, but other than that, it’s nearly identical, with the 50mm USD fork and rear shock sporting the same travel numbers as the 502X, though the monoshock on the 502 only has adjustable spring preload and rebound damping, and the muffler is mounted low. The TRK 502 comes in Pearl White or Charcoal Grey, and is priced at $6,299.

Although it’s been knocking around in Europe for years, the retrofied Benelli Imperiale 400 appears in the US lineup for the first time in 2024. (Benelli/)

2024 Benelli Imperiale 400

The Imperiale 400 has been knocking around Benelli’s lineup for about five years now, but 2024 marks its first appearance on US shores. Benelli calls it “a spiritual successor to the Benelli-Motobi Imperiales of the 1950s,” and you can see why, with its 374cc air-cooled single, steel tube frame, five-speed gearbox, and exposed dual shocks. That’s probably also why it’s the only model listed in the Classic category on Benelli’s US website.

Simple and no-drama is the name of the game here, with the single-overhead-cam single-cylinder engine good for 21 hp at 5,500 rpm (and is Euro 5 compliant), the conventional 41mm fork good for 4.8 inches of travel, and 19/18 tire sizes mounted onto wire wheels. Period stuff like a two-piece seat with rear grab rail, rubber knee pads on the fuel tank, a peashooter muffler, and large Cyclops headlight totally sell the Imperiale’s aesthetics, and with an MSRP of $4,899, it’s available in Glossy Black, Maroon, and Glossy Silver.

The 302S naked returns unchanged for 2024, but it's still surprisingly well-equipped. (Benelli/)

2024 Benelli 302S

We might have expected to see the US debut of the new BKX 300 S (which first bowed at EICMA) in this category, but it appears Benelli is sticking with its trusty 302S naked for 2024 instead. Motivation still comes from a 300cc liquid-cooled DOHC parallel twin fed by EFI, with a compression ratio of 12:1. The peak power of 38 hp arrives at 11,500 rpm, with the claimed max torque reading of 18.9 lb.-ft.coming at 9,750 rpm; a six-speed transmission feeds that power to a 17-inch rear tire.

You’ll see no changes on the 302S’ steel trellis chassis either, which is still mated to a healthy 41mm inverted fork providing 5.3 inches of travel; rear suspension consists of a single shock with preload and rebound damping adjustability. Dual floating 260mm discs are clamped by four-piston calipers up front, with a single rotor out back, though there’s no mention of ABS.

A fully LCD digital display gives all the relevant info in the cockpit, and lighting is all LED. You can have the 302S in white, Flash Green, red, and Matte Black, with an MSRP of $4,799.

Mini but mighty? The TNT rolls on 12-inch wheels and is powered by a 135cc air-cooled single, but throws down with a 41mm USD fork, ABS, and a weight of just 266 pounds. (Benelli/)

2024 Benelli TNT135

Another returning favorite is the TNT 135, a mini that’s been said to punch above its weight class thanks to its peppy air-cooled 135cc single, which is now Euro 5 compliant. Power and torque are a claimed 13 hp at 9,000 rpm and 8 lb.-ft. at 7,000 rpm, respectively, which may not seem like much—until you realize the TNT weighs just 266 pounds (claimed). Also unexpected is the steel trellis chassis paired with a beefy 41mm upside-down fork giving you 4.7 inches of travel, and a single rear shock with spring preload adjustability. Braking is handled by 210mm front and 190mm rear single rotors, both with ABS, and the TNT 135 has an MSRP of $3,199. Available colors include white, red, Flash Green, and black.

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[YamaHead]

Pretty nice lineup from Benelli....

[XTreme]

17 hours ago, YamaHead said:

Pretty nice lineup from Benelli....

You do know they're Chinese don't you Scott?

[YamaHead]

2 hours ago, XTreme said:

You do know they're Chinese don't you Scott?

Now why does that NOT surprise me?....

[XTreme]

45 minutes ago, YamaHead said:

Now why does that NOT surprise me?....

So are many of the old European brands who've come back to life.......like Moto Morini and BSA.

Thing is with all of them......they were shit first time round as well.

[skyrider]

22 hours ago, XTreme said:

You do know they're Chinese don't you Scott?

everything seems to be chinese these days 

[Buckster]

15 hours ago, skyrider said:

everything seems to be chinese these days