The rebirth of Benelli has been one of the success stories of the motorcycle industry in recent years, with the brand coming back from obscurity with a focus on providing affordable real-world bikes for the mass market as opposed to the niche bikes it offered in the past.
With a range of LAMS approved models already making a dent in the Kiwi market, the Italian-Chinese brand is slowly building up its offerings to cover more aspects of the marketplace.
Case in point is the soon to arrive 502C, Benelli’s entry into the LAMS cruiser class.
Based around the same 35kW (47hp) / 45Nm parallel twin engine as the Leoncino 500 and TRK 502 which have now been in New Zealand a couple of years, the 502C boasts authentic Italian power cruiser styling with eery similarities to another Italian machine, with a steel trellis frame, USD forks and LED lighting.
Seat height is power cruiser tall, at 750mm which is taller than most bikes also in the segment, but this is still shorter than Benelli's other LAMS spec bikes making the 502 C potentially well suited for those short in the inseam.
Interestingly, the 502 C also features a huge 21-litre fuel tank which with Benelli’s claimed average fuel economy of 4.2L/100km suggests a potential range well in excess of 400km per tank.
In general the specs read quite well for the Benelli entry into the LAMS cruiser market, with many of the Benelli's features out-performing those of its nearest competition. Weight is
Benelli Australia and New Zealand importers, Urban Moto Imports, have confirmed the 502 C will be destined for the New Zealand market with dates and pricing still to be confirmed, but with the Leoncino and TRK variants all coming in under $11,000 we expect the new cruiser to be priced competitively.
Watch this space.
Benelli 502 C Cruiser Specs
Engine: In line 2 cylinders, 4-stroke, liquid cooled , 4 valves for cylinder double overhead camshaft
Displacement: 500cc
Bore x Stroke: 69.0 x 66.8 mm
Compression Ratio: 11.5:1
Power: 35kW (47hp) at 8500rpm
Torque: 45Nm at 5000rpm
Lubrication: Forced lubrication with wet sump
Fuelling: Electronic fuel injection with double throttle body ø 37mm
Claimed Emissions/ Fuel Economy: Euro 4 – CO2 emissions: 96 g/km – Fuel consumption 4,2 l/100km
Clutch: Multidisc wet clutch
Gearbox: 6 speeds
Final Drive: Chain
Frame: Trestle steel tubes and plates
Front Suspension: Upside-down forks Ø 41mm
Front Suspension Stroke: 125mm
Rear Suspension: Rear swing arm with central shock absorber spring preload adjustable
Rear Suspension Stroke: 50mm
Front Brake: Double semi floating disk ø280 mm with 4 piston calliper and ABS
Rear Brake: Single disc ø240 mm with single piston floating calliper and ABS
Front Rim: 17-inch x 3.50-inch Aluminium Alloy
Rear Rim: 17-inch x 4.50-inch Aluminium Alloy
Front Tyre: 120/70 - ZR17 M/C 58W
Rear Tyre: 160/60 - ZR17 M/C 69W
Length: 2280 mm
Width: 940mm
Height: 1140mm
Seat Height: 750mm
Wheelbase: 1600mm
Ground Clearance: 170mm
Kerb Weight: 217kg
Fuel Tank Volume: 21-litres
Fuel Tank Reserve: 3-litres