Benelli TRK702 and reborn TNT899 - new twin and triple from Benelli
In Italy Benelli's TRK502 is proving to be a roaring success - regularly topping sales charts - and now a larger-capacity machine with the same style has been type-approved in China, where most modern Benellis are built.
The TRK702 looks near identical to the TRK502, but confusingly it adds yet another parallel twin engine to the company's range. At the moment Benelli has two parallel twins. The smaller engine is made in 250 cc, 300 cc and 500 cc forms, with a 550 cc version recently shown in China, too.
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| TRK702X |
The larger one, which is effectively two thirds of the old 1,130 cc triple used in the TNT 1130, measures 754 cc and is used in models like the Benelli 752S and the Leoncino 800. However, the TRK702, which has yet to be officially revealed, uses neither of these designs - instead adopting a 693 cc twin that appears near identical to the motor used in CFMoto's 700CL-X.
According to the official type-approval documents, the engine is made by Benelli's parent company, Qianjiang, so it's not simply a bought-in CFMoto unit despite sharing exactly the same capacity and appearing visually similar.
The TRK702's specs show that it makes 75 hp, which puts it very close to the 81 hp achieved by the larger, heavier 745 cc engine used in the Leoncino 800. In fact, the engine is even lighter than the 500 cc unit from the TRK502, leading to the TRK702 - which is visually almost indistinguishable from the smaller bike - to weigh less, it's 220 kg wet compared to 235 kg for the TRK502 in the same state.
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| TNT899 |
The Chinese type-approvals show that the TRK702 will be made in two forms - an alloy-wheeled, street-oriented model and a TRK702X with wire wheels and a more off-road look. Both use Brembo brakes, and versions with alloy luggage fitted have also been approved for sale.
Another upcoming Benelli to achieve Chinese type-approval is a reborn version of the old TNT899 triple. Looking similar to the earlier model, designed by Adrian Morton, the updated machine has been modified to meet newer emissions limits, with a carbon canister visible, mounted on the side of the engine, to help reduced evaporative emissions. The power matches the old model (118 hp), and it weighs 220 kg ready-to-ride including fuel.
