The TRK 702 and 702X have been one of the most eagerly awaited bikes of the year. The presentation had not yet taken place and the success was already evident, so national journalists were also eagerly awaiting this international presentation in the Alps. Does the 702 have the arguments to repeat the sales success of the 502?
The historic Italian brand, now in the hands of the Chinese, has been conquering its space in Europe and also in our country, where the brand has the second largest market share in the entire old continent. And of course, the TRK 502 and 502X have been one of the main reasons for this. A very affordable bike to buy and to ride, with an adventurous look that is very appealing to those taking their first steps in motorcycling.
Even the sound of the twin-cylinder engine is reminiscent of the bike that has been the benchmark in the class over the years (the various BMW GS models with boxer engines), and this is no coincidence… In other words, no matter what anyone says, this brand has done its homework well. It has evolved in terms of quality and reliability, continues to offer good value for money and offers what new and less demanding riders are looking for in a motorcycle. That’s the only way they could continue to sell like hotcakes after several years on the market! Also present at the presentation was the brand’s CEO, Yah Haimei, who spoke of the world’s current problems (war, pollution, inflation, etc.), but showed that she was very satisfied and confident with the two-wheel business. And she said that, for the future, she doesn’t want there to be any more confusion with “similar” models from other brands (you can read a test of one of these models in this issue), not least because Benelli is “a prestigious Italian brand and will continue to develop its own products”. Thank you for your words, Mrs. Haimei.
FEATURES
Compared to the 502, the TRK 702 and 702X is a more versatile bike, developed in the brand’s offices in Pesaro and equipped with a twin-cylinder engine that delivers 70 hp of power and 70 Nm of torque. It has a steel trellis frame, derived from the 500, and as for the all-terrain version, it has 17-inch wheels with Pirelli Angel GT tires, and the braking equipment consists of two 320 mm front discs assisted by 4-piston radial calipers. As for the suspension, the 50 mm inverted fork is impressive in appearance, offering generous travel, while at the rear the monoshock can be adjusted in terms of preload and hydraulic extension. In terms of technology, highlights include the full LED headlights, the 5-inch TFT instrumentation with Bluetooth connection to the smartphone and backlit controls. The handles and driver’s seat can be heated as an option.
As for the 702X, it really is a much more imposing bike. It has a seat 835 mm off the ground instead of the 790 mm of its smaller sibling and the wheels are spoked, the front one being 19 inches. The front brake is also different, with simpler conventional two-piston calipers, and while the front fork is similar and offers the same travel, the X’s monoshock is more robust at the rear, offering more adjustability with all settings and greater travel, with the wheel making 173 mm. This more adventurous version comes equipped with the well-known Pirelli Scorpion STR Rally tires, which guarantee a good aesthetic effect and are very versatile as long as you don’t go too far off-road. The engine is similar in both versions, as is the 20-liter fuel tank, capable of offering excellent range. As for weight, the base version weighs 232 kg in running order, with the X tipping the scales at just 3 kg more. Both models are also available in versions limited to 35 KW, so that new riders with A2 licenses can also enjoy these motorcycles.
IN ACTION
As for the differences we felt, they were quite noticeable. We started out in La Thuile, at an altitude of over 1,400 meters and therefore quite cold, even though it was summer, and the base version was clearly more geared towards the less experienced. The low seat ensures that it’s easy to put both feet on the ground, but while this is a guarantee of safety for many, a more experienced driver will feel somewhat bent and shrunken in this model, even if they’re not very tall. In terms of performance, we feel that the engine naturally stretches a lot more than the 502’s, but it still retains the brand’s renowned ease of driving, due to its quick and easy response at low engine speeds, with the light clutch and gearbox also helping with the driving, taking advantage of the good mid-range speeds, and only after a few hooks do we need to get used to the power delivery provided by the fuel injection. The aesthetics are pleasing, and it’s clear that the brand has taken influence from various models on the market (KTM, Ducati and MV Agusta to be precise), and in general the dynamics are all positive, even without being a benchmark in any field. Above all, it doesn’t fail in any way, even in terms of suspension and brakes, with elements developed within the brand itself, generating confidence for all types of riders and even some fun at happier paces.
In the afternoon, with the X, we immediately became more comfortable with the ergonomics, due to a more upright and imposing driving position. The aesthetics also end up standing out positively in the various decorations and we did good kilometers with this model, which even has a more pleasant feel when braking, even with simpler calipers. Next, we felt that on bad roads the rear shock absorber needs to be fine-tuned to better adapt to irregularities, while off-road it’s also best to take it easy for a couple of reasons: due to the inverted fork that can wear out quite easily on larger impacts and because it’s not possible to turn off the ABS on the rear wheel.
In other words, enjoy this X version off-road but be aware of its limits. In all other respects, the higher version performs in the same way as the base version, simply but flawlessly, with an interesting price-quality ratio and plenty of arguments for those who are just starting out in this market segment, where longer journeys make even more sense. And if you like the new TRK 702 and 702X, don’t delay, because until the end of September the brand is running a special launch campaign offering a kit of original aluminum cases. Not to be missed!