Ultra-fashionable and urban: what do we know about the Benelli 502C motorcycle

Teresa Benelli, a widow and mother of six sons, founded a car and motorcycle repair shop in Pesaro, Italy, in 1911. She used all the family capital to start a business, hoping to provide her boys with a stable job and a stable income. The Benelli workshop repaired cars and motorcycles, but soon began producing parts that were in demand.

Antonio Benelli:

In 1923, Antonio Benelli, known as Turin, began his racing career. It was a natural fit and its success proved that Benelli was a company with great potential. She had the ability to design and produce great motorcycles. In 1927, 1928 and 1930, Antonio won four Italian titles on a single overhead cam motorcycle. He won in 1931 with a twin-cam car. His racing career was cut short when he crashed during a race in 1932. It was then known as "Turin the Terrible". Antonio died in a car accident on September 27, 1937.

Benelli motorcycles

Benelli is a famous Italian manufacturer of motorcycles and scooters. The company is currently owned by the Chinese Qianjiang Group.

The company's history begins in Italy in 1911, which makes Benelli one of the oldest manufacturers of motorcycles. Initially, the company was a simple repair shop, which, however, could itself produce the necessary spare parts for bicycles and motorcycles.

Benelli created its first 75 cc two-stroke engine in 1920. It was immediately adapted to a bicycle frame, and the following year the company released a motorcycle with a modernized 98 cc engine. Two years later, one of the sons of the company founder begins to compete in the Italian championship. Riding a specially modified Benelli 175 motorcycle, he won in 1927, 1928, 1930 and 1931, and in 1931 the motorcycle was already equipped with a double camshaft (DOHC).

Before the war, Benelli managed to release a four-cylinder racing motorcycle with a 250 cc engine. see, and after that production practically stops until 1949. However, by 1951, Benelli produced a wide range of motorcycles - 98 and 125 cc light models and more powerful 350 and 500 cc bikes. The need for inexpensive means of transportation in post-war Italy made these models very popular and they successfully competed with other Italian brands.

In 1962, Benelli acquired the Motobi company and increased production and the number of employees. In 1969, the successful Benelli Tornado 650 model was launched, intended primarily for the US and UK markets. This motorcycle was distinguished by its reliability and good dynamic characteristics - the maximum speed was about 180 km/h. Production of this model continued until 1974, when it was replaced by the Multis series.

At the end of the 60s, Benelli, like many European motorcycle manufacturers, found itself in crisis due to fierce competition with Japanese companies. Although Benelli still sells a large number of popular 350cc motorcycles in the US market, Honda's more modern motorcycles have significantly reduced the company's market share.

In 1973, the Benelli company and its competitor Motto Guzzi were acquired by the Argentinean Alexandro De Tomaso. After this, the development and production of multi-cylinder powerful models such as the 350 Quatro and 500 Quatro, as well as an amazing motorcycle with a 6-cylinder in-line 750 cc engine, was launched. see. This allows Benelli motorcycles to successfully compete with Japanese models, but due to financial difficulties, in 1988 the company was reformed into Guzzi Benelli Moto SpA, and the factories in Pesaro, from which the history of Benelli began, are sold.

In the late 90s, the Benelli company began to revive, releasing successful models such as the Benelli Tornado 900 Tre sportbike and the TNT series. Now Benelli belongs to the Chinese Qianjiang Group and produces a wide range of motorcycles, from small-capacity scooters to powerful road bikes motorcycles.

Truly Italian:

Benelli recently celebrated its 100th anniversary. The company's goal was to create a completely custom motorcycle. Benelli is determined to preserve the spirit of its brand. All products are designed, developed and assembled in-house. Each of them has original parts that have been developed and adapted to very specific requirements. Everything from the engines to the smallest parts used in the production of Benelli motorcycles is manufactured in-house. Nothing is imported. Benelli motorcycles are 100% Italian and despite their price they are amazing and unique.

Ultra-fashionable and urban: what do we know about the Benelli 502C motorcycle

When you see a Benelli 502C on the streets of a metropolis, at first it seems that it is just a small “baby” Ducati, because the appearance is very reminiscent of the famous Italian thoroughbred “horses”. And then suddenly you notice little things and realize that this is actually a Benelli 502C. The manufacturer calls it an ultra-fashionable cruiser. In general, this is an urban lively car with echoes of the street and the appearance of a cruiser.

Benelli is not uncommon on the streets, so let's take a closer look at what the 502C promises us.

What catches your eye is the tubular trellis frame, behind which is the engine – a 4-stroke parallel twin with liquid cooling. It has 4 valves per cylinder and overhead camshafts. As a result, the engine produces 48 horsepower and 8500 rpm. Engine capacity 500 cc.

This engine can be seen in models such as Leoncino and TRK 502. By the way, like other Benelli bikes, the instrument panel is fully digital and the headlight is LED.

The engine is mated to a 6-speed gearbox and electronic fuel injection. The gas tank capacity is 21 liters, which is very decent for a city bike. Fuel consumption is from 3.5 to 5 liters. Therefore, you can safely travel to the suburbs without refueling. In large cities, a large gas tank is another reason for joy, because sometimes you are busy with business and only at some bypass do you realize that you still have to drive and drive to get to the gas station.

The maximum speed of the motorcycle is only 180 kilometers per hour, but for the city you don’t need more. Let me remind you that the bike positions itself as a model for confident beginners. You won't get bored with it even in the second year of driving. In fact, this is an option for the transition from a completely green first-season driver to a seasoned driver.

The bike has sensitive handling due to the tricks of the front fork offset angle, spied on street models. The inverted fork at the front with a diameter of 41 mm has a stroke of 125 mm, and at the rear there is a swingarm with a monoshock absorber. The suspension can be adjusted for comfort. In general, the Benelli 502C can be a solution to the problems of riders who have difficulty with tall motorcycles. The fact is that the advantages of the model include the low-slung long seat and cruiser-style footrests, which allow you to stretch your legs. This seating position and ergonomic features increase comfort and ease of driving.

Outwardly it is noticeable that the rear tire is not as wide as we would like. Aluminum wheels 17 inches. The front wheel has a 120/70-17 tire, and the rear one has 160/60-17. This is how the cruiser genes come out again. There are also two 280mm brake discs up front and a 240mm rear brake disc. There is an ABS system.

Overall the bike looks stylish and modern for the city. For a novice driver, these characteristics are more than enough. The contactless ignition system also brings us closer to modern trends, where new motorcycles would be better off without it.

The model can be found on the market in several colors - black, blue, burgundy with a matte copper sheen and red.

- Where are the downsides? - you ask.

The disadvantages include the weight of the motorcycle. 217 kilograms sometimes seems like an overwhelming burden for a beginner. Let’s not forget that it is the “beginners” who most often damage motorcycles, because they are not yet accustomed to working with the weight and size of the equipment.

"Top light city motorcycles 2022 for a beginner"

The second disadvantage is the cost. Officially, it is sold at a price of $6,659, which is half a million for our wooden ones, minus a few thousand – 493,158.22 at today’s exchange rate. Let's add here delivery, insurance, and something else very necessary, and now a newbie is already looking at some antiquity on free classifieds sites. For novice drivers, the price of a motorcycle plays an important role.

What I want to say is that if a novice motorcyclist can afford a motorcycle that looks in the best Italian traditions for that kind of money, then it can be considered among other competitors offering their models of the same engine size.

New products:

In recent years, Benelli motorcycles have had a huge impact on changing the style in the motorcycle sector. From the 491 prototype to the 666, from the scooter to the Tornado 900 Tre, Benelli continues to produce motorcycles that delight motorcycle enthusiasts around the world. The 900 Tre sports engine that Benelli produced in 2002 had a unique three-cylinder engine. The new engine ensures maximum performance of Benelli motorcycles. Like all Benelli products, the engine is designed, developed and manufactured in Italy.

Racing[edit]

Tonino Benelli was the undisputed hero of the early racing successes. With an extraordinary natural talent for horsemanship, he embarked on a successful career that has proven his exceptional technical skills and innovation within the company. Riding a Benelli 175, Tonino won the Italian title in 1927, 1928 and 1930 on the SOHC version, and in 1931 on the DOHC version. Numerous World Championship victories in Europe were the prelude to one of the most sought-after successes of any motorcycle manufacturer: the Isle of Man Tourist Trophy, at the time the most important race in the world.

European Championship[edit]

In 1939, Ted Mellors won, racing in the saddle of a Benelli 250. In 1950, Dario Ambrosini also won the 1950 Isle of Man race, repeating Mellors' success and confirming his title by winning the Italian and World Championships.

MotoGP World Championship[edit]

• 250 cm class;
  :

MotoGP World Constructors Champions[edit]

• 250cc class
  : 1950, 1969

In the 1960s, two prominent riders competed in racing: Tarquinio Provini, who won the Italian championship with the 250 in 1965, and Renzo Pasolini, who won the championship with the 250 as well as the 350 in 1968 and 1969. A huge effort was made in 1969. investment in the competition was rewarded with the title of 250 World Champion thanks to Kel Carruthers, who again won the Tourist Trophy that year. It would also mark the last four-stroke world championship until the advent of the modern MotoGP era in 2003. Many of the most famous riders in motorcycle racing history have raced Benelli bikes, from Mike Hailwood to Jarno Saarinen. Former Australian Superbike champion Peter Goddard signed with Benelli in 2001. [8]

Tourist trophy[edit]

Links[edit]

1. ^ a b "History of the Benelli Company". benelli.com
   . Retrieved March 1, 2022.
2. "Benelli Motorcycles". Archived from the original on 2005-12-10. Retrieved May 30, 2007.
3. James Adam Bolton (November–December 2009). "1973 Benelli 650S Tornado". Motorcycle classics. Retrieved October 8, 2009.
4. Bicycle EXIF. "Benelli Say". Retrieved May 10, 2012.
5. ↑
   Ram, Ashwin (July 22, 2015).
   "DSK Benelli Pune organizes trip to celebrate record sales". Indian Cars Bikes
   . Archived from the original on March 14, 2022. Retrieved September 18, 2022.
6. "DSK Benelli on roll after selling 3000 units in India - NDTV CarAndBike".
7. Asre Khodro. "Benelli in Iran".
8. Peter Goddard. "Career background". Retrieved January 23, 2008.