BENELLI TRK 502X
FULL TEST
P110
via a four-way adjustable lever by con-
ventional twin-piston calipers (versus
four-pot radial ones on the TRK 502), and
these work well within the context of the
bike—they're effective when they need to
be, without an excessively hard pull on
the lever. And the problems I incurred
on the TRK 502 with a rear brake that
hardly functioned have been resolved on
this model—the twin-piston caliper and
260mm disc at the rear worked just fine.
The Bosch China ABS wasn't too obtrusive
when it kicked in on the dusty roads, and
can be switched off for use off-road.
The TRK 502X's wide taper-section
steel handlebar has pulled-back grips that
deliver a fairly upright but still comfortable
stance, with hand guards as standard.
The light-action cable-operated clutch's
progressive pickup will make the Benelli
easy to ride for less experienced bikers.
Although you're high enough to see ahead
over car roofs to plot a course in traffic,
you still feel seated within the Benelli as an
integrated part of the whole package, with
your knees tucked in nicely to the flanks of
the capacious fuel tank. Such a stance is
a key factor in promoting rider confidence,
especially for novice riders—you feel at
one with the Benelli, and despite the taller
seat, I could touch both feet down at stop-