Benelli’s Biggest ADV, The TRK 800 Unveiled At 2021 EICMA

The Italian adventure tourer could be launched in India later next year

• The Benelli TRK 800 is powered by a Euro 5-compliant 754cc parallel twin engine making 76.1PS and 67Nm.
• Features adjustable long-travel suspension.
• Gets muscular styling, complete? with touring-friendly ergonomics and features.

Benelli has unveiled its biggest adventure tourer at the 2021 EICMA show in Milan, Italy, called the Benelli TRK 800. It is positioned above the TRK 251 and the TRK 502 range, and is the flagship ADV from the company.

The Benelli TRK 800’s styling feels a lot sleeker than the TRK 502, yet distinctively muscular, thanks to the beak-like front fender, chiselled tank extensions, handlebars with knuckle guards, and a sleek and high-set tail section with upswept exhaust. The bike boasts an all-LED lighting system, adjustable windshield, and a seven-inch colour TFT instrument cluster.

Powering the motorcycle is a Euro5/ BS6-compliant 754cc parallel-twin liquid-cooled engine churning out 76.1PS and 67Nm, linked to a 6-speed transmission with a slip-and-assist clutch. The company claims it can return a mileage of 21.7kmpl, decent enough for an engine in this category. Sadly, there are no electronic nannies apart from the dual-channel ABS.

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The TRK 800 is built on a steel trellis frame linked to a beefy 50mm inverted front fork offering 170mm travel with rebound, compression and preload adjustability. At the rear, it employs a monoshock with preload and rebound adjustability, and 171mm of travel. Topping this off is a larger 19-inch front and a smaller 17-inch rear spoke wheel with block-pattern tubeless tyres. Braking is via twin 320mm discs with Brembo radial calipers, and a 260mm rear disc. At 211mm, the ground clearance is also fairly generous.

The motorcycle’s tall handlebars, wide split seats and tall windscreen, coupled with the 22-litre fuel tank, should make the TRK 800 a potent mile-muncher. That said, it may not be friendly for shorter riders thanks to the 834mm tall seat and hefty 226kg kerb weight. That said, it is still lighter than the TRK 502X by nine whole kilos!

All in all, the TRK 800 is a right direction for Benelli to take on the bigwigs in the ADV segment worldwide. The company says it will be available globally in the second half of next year, so our optimistic estimate is Benelli might launch the bike in India by the end of next year or in early 2023. It will be a much more affordable (will presumably be priced at around Rs 8 lakh - 8.5 lakh, ex-showroom) alternative against the Ducati Multistrada 950, the Triumph Tiger 900 range, and the KTM 790 Adventure (if it does get here!).