Benelli Announces 2024 Models for North America

Earlier this year, the Italian motorcycle maker Benelli announced that for the first time in its long story, the company would represent itself in the North American market. Now, the Italians have unveiled which bikes they’ll bring over the Atlantic.

In January, we predicted that the lineup would include seven bikes across three categories. The prediction turned out to be correct and Benelli has confirmed the bike models.

Adventure-touring bike riders can look forward to the four bikes of the TRK series, including TRK 702X, 702, 502X, and 502. For the street, Benelli provides the naked 302S and TNT135. Last but not least, we’ll also get the retro Imperiale 400.

Some of these motorcycles were already displayed at the EICMA 2023 show, where Benelli also announced the new American distribution agreement. We know now more about the bikes, so let’s take a closer look.

2024 Benelli TRK 702X

The all-new TRK 702X is Benelli’s current flagship model. The self-proclaimed “off-road explorer” is powered by a 698cc liquid-cooled, four-valve parallel-twin engine, producing 70 hp at 8,000 rpm and 51.6 lb-ft of torque at 6,000 rpm. A 5.3-gallon fuel tank feeds the powerplant with go juice.

Benelli highlights the bike’s transmission as a special feature. The transmission has a clutch-side removable gearbox, alongside a west slipper clutch and a torque converter.

The steel trellis and plated frame hooks up to an inverted 50mm fork and an aluminum swingarm with a three-way adjustable monoshock (spring preload, rebound, and compression). In the front, the fork serves up 5.5 inches of travel while the monoshock allows for 6.8 inches.

For stopping the ride, Benelli has paired dual 320mm discs with a two-piston floating caliper in the front. The rear brake consists of a single 260mm disc and a single-piston caliper.

The TRK 720X is shod with Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR tires in 19-inch front and 17-inch rear sizes. Aluminum rims with steel spokes support the tires.

To keep the rider informed, we have a five-inch color TFT screen with Bluetooth capability. The TRK 720X sports backlit handlebar controls, USB/USB-C sockets, LED lighting, a centerstand, and navigation capability through an app as standard. Optional extra equipment includes heated grips and seat, an extra-large windscreen, engine guards and protection bars, side bags, and a top box.

The 2024 Benelli TRK 702X is available in Anthracite Gray, Forest Green, White, and Moon Gray for $8,499.

2024 Benelli TRK 702

The 2024 Benelli TRK 702 represents a street-oriented configuration of the 702X. It remains mostly the same motorcycle, with some significant alterations.

The front wheel has shrunk to 17 inches to make the wheel sizes identical. Benelli has also increased the power of the front brake by updating it to four-piston calipers. The rear brake remains the same.

In the suspension department, the rear monoshock’s travel has been reduced to six inches on the 720. In the front, you still get the same 5.5 inches of travel.

The 720 has the same optional equipment as the 720X, with the addition of a centerstand which doesn’t come as standard on the street version.

The 2024 Benelli TRK 720 retails for $7,899 and is available in Anthracite Gray, Forest Green, and Pearl White.

2024 Benelli TRK 502X

Previously available in America through other distributors, the Benelli TRK 502X returns stateside under its manufacturer. This Italian bestseller revs a 500cc liquid-cooled eight-valve in-line parallel-twin that puts out 47.6 ponies at 8,500 rpm and 34 lb-ft of torque at 6,000 rpm. The fuel tank holds the same 5.3 gallons as on the bigger bikes.

Like the 702/X, the 502X is built around a steel trellis and plate frame. The suspension is similar to the 720, with an inverted 50mm front fork (5.5 inches of travel) and a central monoshock (six travel inches). The latter has spring preload, rebound, and compression adjustability.

For braking, we get dual 320mm discs with two-piston floating calipers up front and a single 260mm disc in the rear. The spoked aluminum alloy wheels take a 19-inch front and a 17-inch rear tire.

The motorcycle comes standard with handguards, an adjustable handlebar, a centerstand, crash bars, and a luggage rack. This 2024 model also features redesigned rear-view mirrors and new grips. Accessories include aluminum side bags and top box, and a taller windscreen.

Available in Glossy Yellow and Charcoal Gray, the 2024 Benelli TRK 502X retails for $6,699.

Benelli TRK 502

As with the 702/X pair, the 502 is the same bike as the 502X but modified to perform better on pavement.

Just like with its bigger siblings, the 502 features similarly-sized 17-inch wheels in the front and back. The suspension travel remains unchanged, but the monoshock features only spring preload and rebound damping adjustment

Otherwise, the two bikes are the same down to the optional accessories. The 2024 Benelli TRK 502 sells for $6,299 and comes in Pearl White or Charcoal Gray.

Benelli Imperiale 400

The 2024 Benelli Imperiale 400 pays homage to the company’s more than 100 years of history. It’s based on the 1950s Motobi Imperiale, designed by one of the founding Benelli brothers, Giuseppe Benelli.

The Imperiale draws its power from a 374cc vertical single-cylinder engine that creates 21 hp at 5,500 rpm and 21.4 lb-ft of torque at 4,500 rpm.

Supporting the motorcycle is a double-cradle tubular and plate steel frame. The 41mm front fork travels 4.76 inches while the rear twin shocks have two inches of travel. True to its classic aesthetics, the Imperiale’s wire wheels are shod with 19-inch front and 18-inch rear Maxxis Promaxx tires.

Braking power stems from a 300mm single rotor and a two-piston floating caliper in the front, and a 240mm rotor and a single-piston in the rear. To further drive home the retro look, the bike features a peashooter-style muffler, a sprung seat, rubber knee pads on the tank, and conventional blinkers. On the split dash lives a small, inoffensive LCD screen.

The 2024 Benelli Imperiale 400 comes in Glossy Black, Maroon, or Glossy Silver for $4,899.

Benelli 302S

With the 302S, Benelli has sought to create an approachable everyday street-going motorcycle. With a 300cc vertical liquid-cooled parallel-twin, the bike produces 38 ponies at 11,500 rpm and 18.9 lb-ft of torque at 9,000 rpm.

The 302S’ steel trellis frame links to an inverted 41mm fork with 5.4 inches of travel. In the rear, we have a right-side-mounted linkage-free single shock that features preload and rebound damping adjustability.

For braking, the bike has dual floating wavy rotors with four-piston calipers in the front and a single rotor in the rear.

In instrumentation, we have an LCD digital screen, displaying everything from the speedo and tachometer to the current gear, odo, fuel meter, and more. The lighting is fully LED, with a futuristic-looking large headlight.

The 2024 Benelli 302S is available in white, red, Flash Green, and Matte Black colorways. The bike retails for $4,799.

Benelli TNT135

Finally, we have the small but rowdy Benelli TNT135, which has a lot of performance for its class. Its 135cc single-cylinder air-cooled engine produces 13 hp at 9,000 rpm and 7.4 lb-ft of torque at 7,000 rpm.

Mated to the steel trellis frame are an inverted 41mm fork and a single rear shock with spring preload adjustability. Both suspension components provide 4.7 inches of travel. For brakes, we get a 210mm front and a 190mm rear rotor, both equipped with ABS.

With the 12-inch wheels, the TNT 135 has a seat height of 30.7 inches. Although Benelli markets the bike to younger riders, it can be a fun machine for full-grown motorists as well.

The 2024 Benelli TNT135 retails for $3,199, and is available in white, red, green, and black.