Trk502

[ChopperCharles]

I bought a TRK502 back in August 2023, and I couldn't be happier with it. Unlike all of my other bikes, I've done a few modifications to it, but it's brilliant just how it is. I've added lights, heated grips, a 15T countershaft sprocket, a toolbox, 3" pullback risers, and a center stand. It came with the OEM luggage. I've put about 4000 miles on it since August... I really haven't ridden any of my other three bikes since I bought it. A quick trip here and there, but this is the defacto bike because it's so comfortable. As the weather gets colder, it's also the only one with good wind protection, so it's the one I always end up riding. My Leoncino, SG400, and Buccaneer are all just waiting in the wings for me to get over my initial infatuation and ride them again. But they'll have to wait until the spring methinks.

The only thing I'm not in love with is the color. Gray was never my style, I wanted red but it wasn't offered in the States. But that's super minor, and for about a $400 Aliexpress order I could change the color if I wanted. Gas mileage is 50mpg if I keep it at the speed limit, 45mpg if I hot dog it everywhere and speed on the interstate, and 55-60mpg if I take it easy and stick to surface streets. I have a range of 225 - 300 miles depending on the gas mileage I get. But that's to a bone dry tank. I generally fill up at the 200 mile mark. The bike is super comfortable and I've done 600 mile days and been refreshed the next morning. It's a great machine and has a GREAT saddle. It's heavier than all the midsize competition... but it's also BIGGER than all the midsize competition. Two fatties and a weeks worth of gear easy, and the bike has the supension to support that (pun intended).

OEM saddlebags are stupid big. 58 liters for each side bag (on the 502. On the 502X they're 58 left and 52 right, I believe), and a 50 liter topbox. One sidecase is larger than the left and right sides combined of the biggest soft saddlebags I own. They're beyond enormous. I went on a camping trip and could not find enough gear to fill them. I brought a camping cot, an extra tent, an extra sleeping bag, a full dSLR camera kit, food, beer, a mess kit, and I still couldn't fill them all up. Side bags were packed but the topcase was 3/4 empty, and this was with me TRYING to overpack just for shits and giggles. In reality, I don't ever see the need for having the topcase on the bike, even for multi-state trips. Maybe when riding two-up, so my pillion has a backrest, but otherwise there's just no need.

I'm stoked about this thing, and in fact I'm about to leave for work and guess which bike I'm taking

Charles.

[ChopperCharles]

Over 10k on it now and still loving it. It's my go-to bike these days.

Charlie.

[rideoutadv]

Thank you for the update, it's nice to know where these bikes are a few years down the line. I really think we need more 300-500cc p twin machines, that's where the market attention is at right now and there's little to no affordable chinabike options in that range.

[ElectricCircus]

In the last few years of our stay in Argentina we had a 2019 TRK 502, with which we traveled about 30,000km on all kinds of roads, mostly dirt. I found it very comfortable, convenient, and reliable. Except for the first service, which was done at the place of purchase for warranty reasons, I did all the others myself.
I am now in Europe, thinking about buying a new motorcycle: although the TRK still occupies a very special place in my heart, and I would not hesitate to go back to another one like it, I am considering other models that for the same money offer several interesting improvements.

I share with you the video of the last long trip we made with it through Patagonia.

[outboardr]

Wow I remember reading about your Triax 250 reports, then saw you had the TRK. Now you're in EU?!
What models are you considering?


Yeah Charles, the TRK is one hell of a bike if you're after comfort and not an aggressive rider, to use Don Williams's words at Ultimate Motorcycling.

[ElectricCircus]

Originally Posted by outboardr

Wow I remember reading about your Triax 250 reports, then saw you had the TRK. Now you're in EU?!
What models are you considering?

Thanks for remembering those good times.

A little over a year ago my family and I moved to Europe: I sold my beloved TRK502 to a biker friend, and I evaluated the options available in Spain.
Although the Benelli TRK502 is also for sale, and I would buy it again without hesitation (30,000km on all kinds of roads, with a passenger and 50kgs of luggage, very comfortable, without any problem), I preferred to go for a variant with a good reputation, in the same price range, and with some additional extras: from this I thought that the Voge DS525X (also made in China) would be a very good choice.
But when we tried it at the dealership we found that the position of the passenger footpegs are too high, leaving the knees very bent, so I ruled it out (you know: happy wife, happy life).

So the next option is the new and also very well-regarded (at least, during these first months after its launch at the beginning of 2024) Voge DS900X. After having seen a very good number of test and end user videos on Youtube, I decided on it and signed up to buy it: there is a very long waiting list (despite there being very few units available in May, it was the best-selling motorcycle in Spain, narrowly surpassing the BMW 1250GS), so they estimate that it will be delivered to me in March/April 2025.
So in the meantime, to calm my anxiety, I am watching and reading everything I can about it.

https://www.motogb.co.uk/model/2025-voge-ds900x-1598

It shares the same engine, chassis and manufacturing line (Loncin) as the BMW F900GS, as standard it comes with a lot of additional equipment (tubeless 21" front 17" rear, crash bars, center stand, adjustable front and back shocks, aux lights, full LED, ABS, TCS, 4 driving modes, heated grips and seat, TPMS, cruise control, quick-shifter, dashcam, back radar, 7" TFT screen), maintenance every 10,000km (6k miles), 5 year warranty, for less than usd10,000!