Benelli 502C has been launched in India at an introductory price of Rs 4.98 lakh. Benelli India had already started accepting the bookings for the 502C from July 8, for a token amount of Rs 10,000. The 502C will be the first motorcycle with an all-new design in India from the Italian manufacturer. And the design of the 502C stays true to the Italian roots, almost reminding us of the mighty Ducati XDiavel. At Rs 4.98 lakh, the Benelli 502C has no direct competitors, but given the pricing and the engine output, its closest rivals will be the Royal Enfield 650 Twins.
The Benelli 502C looks aggressive and muscular. It has a handy21-litre petrol tank that looks bulbous and neatly merges with the seat, making a serpentine curve. The tail section of the 502C is rather clean, thanks to the arrangement of the LED taillight and indicators which are integrated under the seat. The bodywork of the 502C is quite minimal and has clean lines. At the front, the handlebar is flat and wide, with rearview mirrors sticking out from the top. The 502C comes with two colour options — Matte Cognac Red and Matte Black.
The Benelli 502C gets the same power mill as its siblings — the TRK 502 and the Leoncino 500 — mated to a six-speed gearbox like the TRK and the Leoncino. The 500cc parallel-twin BS6-compliant engine churns out the same 46.8bhp at 8500rpm and 46Nm at 6000rpm. The 502C is suspended on 41mm upside-down forks at the front and a mono-shock at the rear and has a ground clearance of 170mm. Braking duties for this 214kg motorcycle are carried out by 280mm dual discs at the front and a 240mm single disc at the rear, and the 502C runs on 17-inch wheels shod in Pirelli Angel GT tyres.
In terms of features, the 502C will sport a fully-digital cluster to provide all the necessary information. It has a LED lights at both ends. There’s not much in terms of rider aids, but the 502C gets a dual-channel ABS system as standard.
Commenting on the announcement, Mr Vikas Jhabakh, MD, Benelli India said, “We are excited to launch our Ultimate Urban Cruiser in India today. The 502c is a classic Italian power cruiser combining distinct design, aggressive styling, laid-back ergonomics and engaging performance. With the launch of 502c, we are venturing into an all-new segment of high-performance power cruisers and are looking forward to add more customers to the Benelli family in the country.”
As mentioned earlier, bookings for the Benelli 502C are already open and deliveries will start from August 2021. At Rs 4.98 lakh, the 502C will give you a big cruiser experience without breaking the bank, just like the other motorcycles in Benelli’s line-up.