Benelli unveils the TRK 800 at the 2021 EICMA
Benelli presented the world with the TRK 800 at the 2021 EICMA in Milan, Italy. The TRK 800 is the biggest motorcycle in the TRK bloodline and will be sold alongside the manufacturer’s best-seller, the TRK 502 X. This launch also marked Benelli’s 110th anniversary, and Benelli says it is ‘representing the beginning of a new chapter in the Italian brand’s history’. On paper, it promises to offer the same agility and comfort levels that the TRK 502 X has got the population used to, but with a more powerful engine.
Benelli TRK 800 Design
The TRK 800 demands a lot more attention than the TRK 502 X right off the bat. The angular, sharper lines that flow all the way from the fuel tank to the headlights, makes it look as angry and intimidating. Key styling features are carried from the 502 X, and it certainly bears a familial resemblance.. The double-arched full-LED headlights are one of the most beautiful aspects of the motorcycle, though it is reminiscent of the design philosophy of yet another Italian motorcycle company.
Benelli TRK 800 Engine
The TRK 800 is powered by a 754cc twin-cylinder, four-stroke liquid-cooled engine, which is also found on the Leoncino 800. This engine churns out a maximum of 75bhp at 8500rpm, and a 67Nm of torque at 6500rpm. It also features double overhead camshafts with four valves per cylinder and a 43mm diameter dual throttle body. The engine is mated to a six-speed gearbox through a torque-assisted wet slipper clutch for those seamless shifts. The juice for the engine flows from a 21litre fuel tank. The power output of the bike places it perfectly between the Yamaha Tenere 700 and the hilariously powerful KTM 790 Adventure.
Benelli TRK 800 Chassis and Suspension
The chassis for the TRK 800 is based on a tubular trellis frame with a high-strength steel plate, to which is attached fully adjustable 50mm Marzocchi forks at the front with 170mm travel. At the back, a central adjustable monoshock in the spring preload and hydraulic rebound damping is mounted on an aluminium swingarm, with a maximum spring travel of 53mm. To save riders and their passengers from windblast, the TRK 800 boasts of carrying adjustable fairing, handguards and baffles.
The braking department in the Benelli is handled by Brembo as the bike is fitted with twin 320mm semi-floating discs with a four-piston calliper at the front and a 260 mm diameter disc with a single-piston calliper on the back, all made by Brembo. The 19-inch front and 17-inch rear aluminium alloy rims mount 110/80-19 and 150/70-17 tyres respectively.
The TRK 800 will lack some of the fancy electronic packages as we see on some of the rival manufacturers on the market but the story doesn’t end there. The TRK 800 will feature a 7-inch colour TFT instrument console and hopefully, it will have Bluetooth and navigation connectivity. At 221kg dry, the TRK 800 weighs lesser than the TRK 502 X, which is an achievement in itself!
