Re: Looking for an Affordable ADV Tourer-Does the Benelli TRK 502 make sense?

Thanks Hemanz!
Any changes except the obvious? I guess only time will tell about quality.

Re: Looking for an Affordable ADV Tourer-Does the Benelli TRK 502 make sense?

Check out the Himalayan thread someone has posted the pics of the new ones. Not much changes, I am hoping the parts and quality issues are sorted out a bit.

And regarding the height issue. I am 6' 1 too. I agree sometimes legs/knees feel a bit odd while long distance touring, but I keep shifting my leg position, sometimes relax, sometimes pretend I am racing (but riding at 80) or sometimes I stretch my legs and keep in the crash guard. But as such, it hasn't been an issue for me bro.

And yes, H is probably the only choice considering the amount of investment. Next closest is Dominar (not exactly adv, but an option). Do take the TD.


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Re: Looking for an Affordable ADV Tourer-Does the Benelli TRK 502 make sense?

THanks for the reply.

Im leaning towards the Himalayan compared to a Benelli which might cost twice as much and maybe thrice as much to maintain.

Im convinced with its prowess off the road and have enjoyed it thoroughly,.Will wait to see the FI owner reviews and bring one home.

Just wondering did you feel the lack of power/torque anytime? I felt it could use some more juice at many a time. Im no highway scorcher so high speed is not on my list. But I felt it tad but underpowered with luggage all up and crawling uphill

Is there any way to stick some more juice into it. How good are these performance exhausts?

Re: Looking for an Affordable ADV Tourer-Does the Benelli TRK 502 make sense?

I have not ridden the BS4 one. But heard from a few guys that it's smooth and refined but feels underpowered (than the BS3). Would suggest you take a TD and experience it yourself.

I don't fancy speed much bro. Initially yes, I did feel that it is underpowered for a 400cc on highways, I have got used to it now. On hills with luggage and pillion, haven't felt it to be underpowered, there is ample amount of torque that is churned out.

Finally I have learnt one thing with H. "The world overtakes me on Highways, I overtake then on bad roads and speed breakers" 😛

Cheers!

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Re: Looking for an Affordable ADV Tourer-Does the Benelli TRK 502 make sense?

Is it coincidental that I am on an identical search? Perhaps not. And that is a good thing.

I would look at the issue in the following ways:

One, the Himalayan, is a bike with a large after sales network but with a long list of basic design and manufacture defects.

The second, the TRK or other Benellis, is by itself a solid bike but with a very sparse dealer and ASS network.

Of the two, I would go for a bike which by itself is very reliable, specially when considering the remote areas that it would be ridden in.

Another bike worth waiting for very eagerly is the Kawasaki Versys X 300, which is slated for launch towards the end of this year. Yes, it would be on the wrong side of 3 lacs but with the proven Kawasaki credentials, it should be a winner.

I am awaiting for this green soft ADV to come to India. In the mean time, I'll check out the newly re-launched Himalayan. Though, to pit the REH against a Kawasaki would be unfair...

Re: Looking for an Affordable ADV Tourer-Does the Benelli TRK 502 make sense?


Thats well put iceman. Few would have complaints against the truly versatile Versys 650. So Its smaller version, must be good too, and that much more affordable.-With the versys 300X, I like the fact it has ABS, but its a bummer that its not switchable unlike in the 650. This would not be the best thing to have if you are on loose trail. The seat adjusts height by about an inch, I believe, which is a very desirable thing for me. 2 other things i love on the 650, adjustable suspension and adjustable windscreen..In summary, I totally agree that you can't beat or even compare these Japs to others.

But overall, I personally think, the 300X is more of a road based beast than an off road trail blazer. This is where the Himalayan really shines. Off road, the himalayan really put a smile on my face, in the way it ploughs through. The weight balance and the ergos are very very good.And these are the very factors Im looking for in my next bike.
If RE sorts out its notorious quality issues with the new fi Himalayan, at that price point, its a good buy for me, personally.
The TRK with knobby tires and decent specs, despite its heavy weight, appeals to me as an alternative upgrade. But the price is a big factor. I don't want to spend more than 5lacs on a bike that I intend to punish on hostile terrain, and bleed during repair/aftersales service/availability or price of parts. But of course, reliability is desirable above all, and that seems to come at a cost.

Lets wait and watch this space!.

Re: Looking for an Affordable ADV Tourer-Does the Benelli TRK 502 make sense?

The bs4 deliveries have commenced...anyone here got one home !?

Wonder if bs4 iteration has made quality better

To add to my dilemma I have the following in mind
-Himalayan bs4? Economic.immediate buy.
-benelli trk 502 ? Wait and buy.
-pre owned versys/600GT?Stretch and buy.

Looking for an Affordable ADV Tourer-Does the Benelli TRK 502 make sense?

Preowned versys is my suggestion. You already have a good bike, I am sure waiting and buying the best makes sense.

Benelli sell their products cheap but their service is extremely expensive and frequent. I wouldn't recommend Himalayan due to the trouble everyone is running thought since it was launched. It's a wonderful bike but they have used very low quality parts(No offense fans)

Re: Looking for an Affordable ADV Tourer-Does the Benelli TRK 502 make sense?

Thanks samarth!

I am inclined towards going for a better pre owned bike too.
I agree with Benellis being frequent and expensive service.
Will look out for good preloved examples out there..Just wondering how is kawasaki service/spares?

But having stated the above, the Himalayans price does make the equation a no brainer at first glance, but the quality is a dark looming question on the owners head.

And frankly, the lack of social buzz, around the BS4 even after deliveries have commenced ,worries me.

Looking for an Affordable ADV Tourer-Does the Benelli TRK 502 make sense?

Kawasaki is recovering after to split from Bajaj. They are constantly improving. Spares and service both are expensive but you have long service intervals. By 2018 the spares issue should minimise. These Japanese bikes are wonderful

Re: Looking for an Affordable ADV Tourer-Does the Benelli TRK 502 make sense?

The Japs are of course, the best in their game.

What I still give credit to the Himalayan is the upfront lower investment and the ability to thrash it off road without having to worry about steep repair bills.
Hopefully, the quality is sorted.

Of course, you get what you pay for.

Whats your take on a 4 year old tiger? if i get it for a good deal, will it make better sense?

Re: Looking for an Affordable ADV Tourer-Does the Benelli TRK 502 make sense?

Triumphs are awesome and have a superb build quality. Only thing to consider is the maintenance cost. Try to look for one which has not been trashed hard. Usually off-roading/ adventure bikes will be used to the fullest in the right hands. Expect Triumph to be more expensive to maintain than Kawasaki.

Re: Looking for an Affordable ADV Tourer-Does the Benelli TRK 502 make sense?

The tiger remains high in my wish list.but it's prohibitively expensive for me.

Let me see what lies in store for me!

Re: Looking for an Affordable ADV Tourer-Does the Benelli TRK 502 make sense?

All the best. Take loads of time and invest wisely. Make sure you never have to look back at your decision

Re: Looking for an Affordable ADV Tourer-Does the Benelli TRK 502 make sense?



A 750cc Himalayan? Interesting....Wonder if it would make sense to wait for it or go with the existing Himalayan.