When the opportunity to review the 2025 Benelli TRK 702X floated across this writer’s desk, it’s fair to say initial expectations were less than enthusiastic. Pre-conceived biases towards “cheap Chinese” bikes proved very quickly unfounded.
At first glance, the TRK 702X, tested here in Anthracite Grey, is a great looking bike, with a mix of modern, aggressive styling wrapped up in a very tidy overall package. Climbing into it, yes “into” the seating position, you immediately feel like you’re at home.
It’s comfortable and relaxed, like your favourite lounge chair, while everything is positioned where it should be, from gauges, to mirrors and switchgear. The seat is firm but comfortable and was surprisingly good over a long day in the saddle.
A seat height of 790mm means it will suit a large variety of riders wanting to be able to touch the ground with flat feet. With a wet weight of 215kg, the twin cylinder 698cc engine offers lively performance across the rev range, with smooth, linear power delivery.
With 52kW on tap there’s decent enough get up and go, although we found ourselves wanting a little more for a bike of this weight and size. To be fair, this isn’t meant to be a high-performance motorcycle.
The gearbox is nice and smooth, however the lack of a quick shifter is a little disappointing. Our first ride was on the tar as we headed North from Gosford to Cessnock and back via Wollombi, a loop that is around 300km, with a nice mix or twisties thrown in.
The bike is very well behaved on the road. It feels planted and turns in nicely, with little effort from the rider. The front brake sports twin semi-floating 320mm discs, with a 4 pistons calliper and ABS.
The rear gets a single 260mm disc with single piston calliper and ABS. Under heavy braking on a rough surface, we did experience fairly substantial feedback through both the front lever and rear brake pedal when the ABS kicked in.
As for electronic rider aids, there aren’t any, making the Benelli TRK 702X a proper old school ride. You’re also not able to disengage the ABS when off road, which can make things a little awkward.
That was especially so when, on a nice, clear Sunday morning we dispatched a call out on WhatsApp to a few mates to see who was up for an easy ride in the the Watagans National Park, north of Sydney. We quickly had a few takers, and set off from a local café.
Our first mistake was letting someone else choose a suggested route. Not knowing where we were headed, our light, easy ride turned into something much more. The first 50km or so were okay, taking in fire trails that led us past the main campground.
The Benelli was stable and comfortable on the loose gravel and the brakes were more than adequate. Then we turned left and headed down into a pretty steep valley. This is where things started to turn for yours truly.
The trails became narrow, had plenty of deep, dark puddles to cross, all full of deep rutted 4WD tracks and rocks, submerged beneath the murky water. Then we started to climb out of the valley on an almost vertical track, heading to the top of the mountain range.
Again, this was full of huge boulders, deep 4WD ruts and fallen logs. Ground clearance became an issue, and the small bash plate did its best to protect the engine casing. The 50 /50 tyres were woefully inadequate in this environment.
Somehow though, we managed to reach the mountain top with only a limited amount of fuss. Considering that one of our mates dropped his bike, which is 70kg lighter, a few times, we reckon yours truly was lucky to get through relatively unscathed.
Mostly good luck than ability we suspect. The Benelli was clearly not designed for our relatively hardcore test track, however it did perform beyond expectation on many levels. Despite being a little on the porky side, it’s well balanced and very controllable.
The area that could do with a little improvement in our opinion is the front suspension. The fact it isn’t adjustable for a rider’s personal attributes ensures that when the trails became a little rough, any slightly large bump or crevice could be well and truly felt.
This writer’s 115kg weight and 185cm height may have played a role. We also had the opportunity to ride the 702X at night and in the rain. The backlit switchgear is a nice touch, and the split LED headlight offered great visibility under difficult conditions.
The integrated front indicators add to the look and feel. A 5.0-inch TFT display provides plenty of detail and is bright, and easy to read. The bike offers Bluetooth connectivity to your phone, but you are oddly unable to access the menu when the bike is moving.
There is a well-placed USB-A and USB-C charging port in the dash, which is perfect for charging your navigator or phone while riding. Definitely a no-frills offering, the Benelli has a few nice bits thrown in, while also missing out on some key components.
The lack of any electronic mapping and ride modes, cruise control, that quick shifter we mentioned earlier, and the inability to disengage ABS are all a little disappointing. Worth remembering though that this bike is an absolute bargain at $13,590 ride away.
If you’re looking for a bike that has the ability to be a daily commuter, that can double down as a dirt-capable tourer, it’s pretty hard to pass up the TRK 702X. With the large 20-litre tank and impressive fuel economy, it’s certainly set for some good adventures.
You can add aluminium panniers and a top box, or opt for Forest Green or Moon Grey colour schemes. There’s the option to order your bike via the Benelli Australia website, and simply collect it from the nearest dealership too.
All-in-all, it’s an easy and fun bike to ride, and it looks great. Some of the injection moulded plastics on our test bike were looking a little tired after only 2,500km and the overall finishes in a few areas could do with improvement, but it’s otherwise hard to fault.
It’s backed by a 2-year unlimited kilometre warranty, paired with roadside assist.
Our test bike was provided by Benelli Australia for independent review purposes.
