By Ben Purvis
The Benelli TRK 502 twin has been a remarkable success story in its Italian homeland - repeatedly topping sales charts thanks to its low cost despite unbalanced styling and middling performance . Benelli has addressed both those issues by now creating the TRK 702 , and it could be the machine that brings the 502 ' s Italian success to a wider global reach . Launched in China , the TRK 702 is likely to come to Europe and other markets once production gears up , and it already looks like a tempting package . It ' s the first Benelli to get the 693 cc parallel twin engine that ' s already appeared in some QJMotor models , including the SRK700 that ' s now gone on sale in Europe - proving that it meets Euro 5 emissions limits . With 56 kW ( 75 hp ), the 693 cc engine is a huge step forward compared to the 35 kW ( 47 hp ) 499 cc twin in the TRK
502 , but the bigger Benelli isn ' t very much more expensive than its older sister . In China , where both machines are on sale now , the base TRK 702 costs around the same as the top version of the TRK 502 . The TRK 702 ' s equipment includes heated grips and a heated seat , as well as a built-in , high-definition front camera that feeds a ' driving recorder ', allowing rides to be saved and replayed either on the full-colour TFT dashboard or elsewhere . Styled in Italy , the bike ' s appearance has a distinct family resemblance to the recently launched TRK 800 , with a much more modern and appealing design than the 502 . The current TRK 800 uses a 754 cc parallel twin derived from Benelli ' s old three-cylinder engine - making the same 56 kW output as the newer , cheaper 693 cc .
Jedi K750 - China ' s sportiest bike yet By Ben Purvis
The K750 must be the most impressive-looking sports bike to have emerged from China so far . If it had a Ducati or Honda badge , it would be getting championed for moving away from the bikes dominating the market at present . With bodywork that blends seamlessly into the fuel tank , a neatly integrated , belly-mounted exhaust and the choice of either a conventional or single-sided swingarm , it ' s a bike that deserves more than just a second look ! The chassis is a diecast magnesium alloy twin-spar design carrying a 730 cc parallel twin engine , making 60 kW ( 80.5 hp ) and 70 Nm ( 51.6 lb-ft ) of torque . It ' s the same engine that features in some of Jedi ' s other models , but tuned for extra performance . The whole bike was created with the assistance of Suter in Switzerland , and the frame - a single , seamless casting - weighs only 9.3 kg . KYB fully adjustable upside-down forks , a rising-rate , adjustable shock from the same brand , a multi- faceted headlight , TFT dash with Bluetooth connectivity , Brembo brakes and name-brand tyres set it aside from more generic Chinese offerings - Pirellis and Michelins are options . The bike is to be made in a 113-acre factory site where there is already a 35,000 sq m factory , with plans to expand it to 85,000 sq m .
18 INTERNATIONAL DEALER NEWS - OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2022