All is not lost though thanks to the 502C’s 498cc, parallel-twin engine. And since this is a Benelli, it undoubtedly sounds great.
This engine is the same as the one on the Leoncino 500 and TRK 502, although with a slightly different tune. It offers 46.8bhp and 46Nm of torque in a linear and predictable manner all through the rev range. It feels smooth and refined with only a few vibes coming in at higher revs on the handlebar.
Moreover, the 502C’s motor is also extremely tractable and can tread as slow as 40kmph in higher gears making it quite forgiving to ride in the city. However, it does require a couple of downshifts to overtake swiftly. And even though the 502C’s output figures are decent, due to its heft, it feels a bit sluggish when you twist the throttle.
Apart from the wide handlebars posing a problem when filtering through small gaps, the 502C felt agile through traffic. And out on the highway it can cruise at around 130kmph and push past that mark after some coaxing. Did I mention the howling induction roar? Oh, it is immensely addictive!
But with the wind deflecting off the headlamp and smacking me right in the face, the need for a windscreen was felt almost immediately. Chance on some twisties and the 502C feels sportier, switching sides almost instantly. Add the smooth throttle response and the slick shifting gearbox and the whole package becomes a delight. Even the brakes on the 502C are pretty decent. At 280mm, the discs are smaller than the ones on the Leoncino, but they offer good bite and progression at both ends.