Chinese owned Italian brand Benelli take to the rough stuff with new TRK 902 Xplorer

The rugged middleweight adventure bike market is currently experiencing a resurgence and 2025 looks to see it grow again with the arrival of the Benelli TRK 902 Xplorer.

Alongside established models such as the KTM 890 Adventure R, Husqvarna Norden 901, Yamaha Ténéré 700, BMW F900GS and Suzuki V-Strom 800DE there are new budget-conscious Chinese-built arrivals entering the scene in the shape of the CFMoto 800MT-X, Voge DS900X and now the Benelli.

Despite its historic Italian name, the Xplorer is built in China by Benelli’s parent company, Qianjiang Group (also known as QJ Motor).

One of China’s largest two-wheeled manufacturers, Qianjiang produce over 1.2 million vehicles a year. However only the production is done in China, the Benelli Style Centre and R&D facility is still based in Pesaro, Italy, to help give the bikes a welcome dose of European flair and feel.

Featuring a new version of Benelli’s parallel-twin motor, the TRK 902 Xplorer makes a claimed 98.6bhp with 66.4lb.ft of torque. Although technical details remain limited on the engine, it runs the same DOHC 4v head design as the old 800 models but with an increase in both bore and stroke taking it up from 754cc to 904cc.

Quite how much of the engine is new is yet to be revealed. To match this boost in capacity, the throttle bodies are 3mm larger at 46mm and it meets Euro5+ emissions regulations.

Billed as a go-anywhere adventurer by Benelli, the TRK 902 Xplorer is the most rugged TRK model to date and comes with a tough tubular steel trellis chassis with fully-adjustable 50mm inverted forks and a monoshock with adjustable rebound and spring preload.

Both ends have 200mm of suspension travel, giving the bike 230mm of ground clearance. Unlike some other trail-targeted adventurers, the Xplorer runs tubeless spoke wheels with a 19in front and 17in rear rather than the more aggressive 21in front and 18in rear set-up.

Pirelli Scorpion Rally tyres are standard fitment and the twin 320mm discs are gripped by Brembo four-piston monobloc calipers with an ABS system that has a dedicated off-road mode.

There is no mention of a traction control system or variable power modes, but they are likely to be fitted as it runs a ride-by-wire throttle. Benelli claim a dry weight of 235kg with a seat height of 865mm.

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When it comes to practicality, the Xplorer features a 7in TFT colour dash with connectivity and a navigation function, two fog lights integrated into its design, tyre pressure monitors, a 22-litre fuel capacity and even an electronically-adjustable screen. But the prototype has no pillion provisions…

Benelli scrapped the pillion seat and pegs for the unveiling of the Xplorer, instead replacing them with a handy toolbox. Whether this is standard fitment or an accessory is unclear but don’t worry, there will be pillion pegs and a seat on the final production bike.

The UK importer for Benelli’s products is MotoGB and the firm expects the Xplorer to arrive in the UK in late-2025. There is no word on price but it should be less than £10,000 considering how much its Chinese-built rivals cost.