Benelli has unveiled its most refined road bike to date at the EICMA show – the Benelli TRK 902 Stradale. A tourist, an athlete and a slightly spoiled gentleman on two wheels.
If Ducati Multistrada and Benelli If TRK 902 Xplorer had a baby, it would probably be called the Stradale. Modern technology, Italian design and an engine that doesn't require a whole lot of savings - Benelli has finally hit the table and said: "We can make a travel rocket too."
EICMA, the Italian temple of motorcycling, is full of surprises every year. This year, Benelli surprised everyone by showing off its most ambitious creation yet – TRK 902 Stradale. A name that in itself sounds like an espresso with three sugars. This is no longer a bike for gravel and mud, but for those who are ready to chew through the asphalt with a smile under their helmet and a travel bag on their tail.
The Stradale is Benelli's answer to one of Italy's most desirable travel icons - Ducati MultistradaExcept that it doesn't require selling a kidney and still promises everything a motorcyclist wants: power, comfort, technology and a touch of romance that only Italian design can conjure.
An asphalt warrior with a traveler's soul
The new Stradale is based on the model TRK 902 Xplorer, but it has been completely redesigned for life on the asphalt. The long-travel suspension has been given a shorter, 130 mm travel, which lowers the center of gravity and provides a more precise feel in corners. The seat height is now comfortable 805mm, which means hitting the ground running will be less stressful than a first date.
Instead of robust spoked rims, we now get elegant ones 17-inch alloy wheels, shod in Pirelli Angel GT II – tires that are at home on long bends, not in mud ditches. The shape? Elegantly aggressive. Benelli has smoothed out the lines, added electrically adjustable visor and redesigned the handguards to make the bike feel more like business class rather than a safari expedition.
An engine that doesn't scream – but sings
Under the metal armor it works 904cc parallel twin, compliant with the Euro 5+ standard, which develops 95 hp (70 kW) at 9,000 rpm and 90 Nm of torque at 6,500 rpmIt's not a record-breaking number, but it's the torque curve that makes the bike ride like silk. Power is available where you need it - in the real world, not on the racetrack.
Bosch ride-by-wire system ensures that the throttle response is never jerky, while slipper clutch It allows for smooth gear changes even when your heart is racing. The engine is designed for journeys where feeling counts, not just data on paper.
Italian construction, German precision
The chassis is a textbook example of Benelli's engineering logic: steel tubular frame, designed in Pesaro, connects 43mm Marzocchi inverted fork front and central shock absorber with remote preload adjustment The result? Stability even when the road becomes serpentine poetry.
They ensure safe stopping Brembo brakes – double 320 mm discs front and 260mm rear – with switchable ABSbecause Benelli knows that a real biker sometimes likes to disconnect a little.
A cabin worthy of an airplane – and then some
It reigns supreme on the armature 7-inch TFT display, which supports Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and has a built-in navigation. Three driving modes – Sport, Touring, Urban – adjust engine response and driving aids. If technology were food, the Stradale would be a tasting menu:
traction control, cruise control, quickshifter, heated grips and seat, tire pressure monitoring system – all of this as standard or as an optional extra.
And since we're in the 21st century, you can order more blind spot radar system, built-in camera and set travel suitcases, which even James Bond would envy.
Consumption, appearance and character
Z 20-liter tank and consumption around 5 liters per 100 km (47 mpg) The Stradale promises range for long days without stopping at the gas station. Dual LED lights and the flowing lines give it a more sophisticated look – without pretending to be something it’s not.
While it doesn't have the Ducati stampede, the Stradale has something that its competition often lacks - character. That nice feeling when you know the bike isn't perfect, but it still understands you.
Conclusion: Benelli is growing up – and very elegantly
Benelli TRK 902 Stradale will hit the roads in 2020 2026, and with a clear statement: Benelli is no longer “that third Italian manufacturer”, but a serious player among sports tourists. It is not intended to overtake the Multistrada – but to ride alongside it, with a smile and a big price difference in your pocket.
Benelli has done what he does best: created a motorcycle that combines reason and passion. And that, dear motorcyclists, is always a good start to a great story.
