Quick Analysis
BENELLI 502C
12.5 pts
Unweighted: 8 advantages
EnginePerformanceDimensionsBrakesTyresFeaturesOther
TRIUMPH TIGER 900 GT
21.5 pts
Unweighted: 14 advantages
EnginePerformanceDimensionsBrakesTyresFeaturesOther
| Specification | ||
|---|---|---|
Engine Specifications |
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| Cooling System | Liquid-cooled | Liquid-cooled |
| Displacement | 500cc | 888 cc |
| Engine Type | 2-cylinder, 4-stroke, 8-valve | DOHC, inline 3-cylinder |
| Power | 35kW @ 8500 r/min | 108 PS / 106.5 bhp (79.5 kW) @ 9,500 rpm |
| Torque | 46N·m @ 6000 r/min | 90 Nm @ 6,850 rpm |
Performance & Efficiency |
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| Fuel Tank Capacity | 21.5L | 20 L |
| Mileage | 26.5 Kmpl | 21 kmpl |
Dimensions & Weight |
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| Kerb Weight | 216 | 219 kg |
| Seat Height | 760 | Adjustable 820 - 840 mm |
Brakes & Suspension |
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| ABS | Dual Channel | Dual Channel ABS |
| Front Brake | Disc Front Brake 280 mm Caliper - 4 Piston | Twin 320mm floating discs, Brembo Stylema 4 piston Monobloc calipers. Radial front master cylinder, Optimised Cornering ABS |
| Front Suspension | Upside down telescopic fork – 135mm | Marzocchi 45mm upside down forks, manual rebound and compression damping adjustment, 180mm travel |
| Rear Brake | Disc Front Brake 240 mm Caliper - 1 Piston | Single 255mm disc. Single piston sliding caliper. Optimised cornering ABS |
| Rear Suspension | Telescopic coil spring oil damped – 50mm | Marzocchi rear suspension unit, manual preload and rebound damping adjustment, 170mm wheel travel |
Tyres & Wheels |
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| Front Tyre | 120/70 ZR17 | Metzeler TouranceTM Next, 100/90-19 |
| Rear Tyre | 160/60 ZR17 | Metzeler TouranceTM Next, 150/70R17 |
| Tyre Type | Tube | Tubeless |
| Wheel Type | Alloy | Alloy |
Features & Technology |
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| Headlight | LED | DRLs LED |
Other Specifications |
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| Battery | 12V / 8AH | — |
| Bike Image 1 | https://motoautiv.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/502cmatteblack.webp | https://motoautiv.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/tiger900graphitesapphireblack.webp |
| Bike Image 2 | — | https://motoautiv.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/tiger900snowdoniawhitesapphireblack.webp |
| Color Options | Matte Black | #1C1C1C | Carnival Red / Sapphire Black Graphite / Sapphire Black Snowdonia White / Sapphire Black |
| Cons | Bulk and weight can make city riding or tight manoeuvres tricky: For its size and weight, it’s not easy to handle, U-turns, narrow lanes or heavy traffic require care and effort. Pillion comfort and practicality issues: The rear seat and pillion comfort setup don’t match the front’s promise very well; for two-up rides or long tours with a passenger, it might feel compromised. Ride can be a bit firm: Suspension may feel stiff on certain rough patches or very uneven roads — not the plushest cruiser ride in all conditions. Fuel efficiency and running cost may not be ideal: Given the displacement and weight, fuel consumption and maintenance may turn out costlier than lighter/smaller bikes — something to weigh if you ride daily. Feature-set and usability tradeoffs: While it offers the basics, it misses some modern amenities (e.g. advanced electronics or luggage accessories) that some rivals may provide — limiting its appeal for tourers or riders wanting more convenience. | Seat height & weight may challenge some riders: The seat height (820-840 mm) and kerb weight (219 kg as per some reviews) make it less accessible for shorter riders or frequent urban manoeuvres. Noticeable vibration & heat in certain conditions: Some riders report vibration in the handlebar/pegs above ~120 km/h and heat from radiators hitting the left knee in city stop-go traffic. Premium cost & maintenance: The higher acquisition cost (especially CBU import variants in India), service/parts cost and lower accessibility of dealership/spares in some regions are considered trade-offs. Touring-oriented but not hardcore off-road: While competent on less-tamed roads, the GT version uses road-biased tyres and suspension travel limits compared to dedicated off-road versions, so serious trail riding isn’t its strong suit. |
| Detailed Overview | The Benelli 502C is a middleweight motorcycle designed in a cruiser style, but it uses a twin-cylinder engine more commonly seen in roadster or touring bikes. It is powered by a 500 cc, liquid-cooled, parallel-twin engine that produces around 47.5 PS (35 kw) of power and 46 Nm of torque, paired with a 6-speed gearbox. The engine feels smooth and works well at steady speeds, making it suitable for relaxed riding. It can reach a top speed of around 160 km/h, although in normal conditions it is mostly used at lower cruising speeds. The bike is built on a steel trellis frame and comes with upside-down front forks and a rear monoshock suspension. This setup helps with stability, but the suspension is on the firmer side, so uneven roads and bumps are clearly felt. Braking is handled by dual disc brakes at the front and a single disc at the rear, along with dual-channel ABS. The bike runs on 17-inch alloy wheels with wide tyres, which add to its grip and road presence. In terms of size, the Benelli 502C has a kerb weight of around 216–220 kg, which makes it one of the heavier bikes in this segment. The seat height is around 750 mm, which is relatively low and helps riders place their feet on the ground easily. It also gets a large fuel tank of about 21 litres, which supports longer rides without frequent refuelling. Ground clearance is adequate for city and highway use, but care is needed on bigger speed breakers. The bike comes with a fully digital instrument cluster that shows basic information like speed, fuel level, gear position, and trip details. It also gets full LED lighting, but does not offer advanced features like Bluetooth connectivity. In real-world conditions, mileage usually falls between 22 to 25 km/l depending on riding style and traffic. Overall, the 502C focuses on a mix of cruiser design and twin-cylinder performance, while keeping the feature list simple and more focused on essential riding needs. | The Triumph Tiger 900 GT stands out as one of the most versatile and capable middleweight adventure-tourers in the premium segment. Designed primarily for on-road touring with occasional off-road capabilities, it combines comfort, power, and advanced technology in a way that caters to both experienced tourers and riders looking to upgrade from smaller ADVs. At the heart of the Tiger 900 GT is an 888cc, liquid-cooled, inline 3-cylinder engine that produces around 108 PS at 9,500 rpm and 90 Nm of torque at 6,850 rpm. This engine offers a distinctive character thanks to Triumph’s unique T-plane crank, which delivers a thrilling combination of low-end grunt and smooth high-end power delivery. The triple-cylinder setup provides linear acceleration, making the bike equally confident in city rides, mountain curves, and long-distance highway cruising. In terms of design, the Tiger 900 GT showcases Triumph’s refined styling with a slim yet muscular stance, LED lighting, a large 20-liter fuel tank, and a comfortable touring-oriented seat setup. The ergonomics have been well thought out, offering an upright riding position with wide handlebars and adjustable seat height ranging from 820 mm to 840 mm. The seat cushioning and suspension setup make it ideal for long journeys, reducing fatigue over extended rides. The bike rides on 19-inch front and 17-inch rear cast-aluminium wheels fitted with Metzeler Tourance Next tyres, which enhance grip and stability on paved surfaces while offering moderate confidence on gravel or light off-road trails. The chassis and suspension of the Tiger 900 GT are among its strongest highlights. It features a lightweight steel trellis frame combined with Marzocchi 45mm USD forks at the front and a Marzocchi adjustable monoshock at the rear. This suspension setup ensures a plush, controlled ride even when the road surface deteriorates. The bike’s balance and steering precision make it feel lighter than its 219 kg wet weight, which boosts rider confidence in corners or during quick maneuvers. The braking setup is equally premium, featuring Brembo Stylema calipers that provide strong, progressive stopping power with cornering ABS ensuring maximum safety. On the technology front, Triumph has equipped the Tiger 900 GT with a suite of modern features including a 7-inch full-color TFT display, Bluetooth connectivity (via the My Triumph app), and four riding modes—Rain, Road, Sport, and Off-road—allowing riders to tailor throttle response, traction control, and ABS settings to suit different terrains. Additionally, the GT includes ride-by-wire throttle, cornering traction control, heated grips, cruise control, and all-LED lighting, making it a tech-laden tourer ready for every condition. In real-world use, the Triumph Tiger 900 GT excels as a long-distance companion thanks to its smooth power delivery, stable handling, and excellent comfort. It feels agile enough for city rides yet truly shines on highways and winding hill roads. However, while it handles occasional off-road trails decently, its focus remains more road-oriented compared to the Tiger 900 Rally variant. Overall, the Tiger 900 GT offers a perfect balance between power, refinement, comfort, and touring practicality—making it one of the best premium middleweight adventure bikes in its class. |
| Expert Review | The Benelli 502C is a mid-capacity cruiser-style bike that focuses more on relaxed riding and road presence in the Indian market. It uses a 500 cc twin-cylinder engine that feels smooth and easy to manage, especially at steady speeds, but the overall weight of the bike makes it feel heavy in city traffic. In slow-moving conditions, handling and quick turns can take some effort, while on highways it feels more stable and comfortable. The riding posture is laid-back with wide handlebars and forward-set footpegs, which suits longer rides, but the suspension is on the stiffer side, so bad roads are clearly felt. The bike comes with basic features like a digital display and LED lighting, without advanced connectivity options. In India, its relevance depends on factors like service availability, maintenance cost, and how comfortable a rider is with its size and weight in daily use., 3.9, MotoAutiv Team | MotoAutiv Team |
| FAQ (Manual Override) | Q: Is the Benelli 502C good for daily use in India? A: The Benelli 502C can be used daily, but its heavy weight and wide size can make it difficult in heavy traffic and tight city roads. Q: How is the Benelli 502C for long rides? A: The Benelli 502C is more comfortable on highways, where the relaxed riding position and stable feel make long rides easier. Q: What mileage does the Benelli 502C give in real-world riding? A: The Benelli 502C usually gives around 22–25 km/l depending on riding style and traffic conditions. Q: Is the Benelli 502C easy to handle for beginners? A: The Benelli 502C may not be ideal for beginners because of its weight and size, especially at low speeds. Q: How is the service and maintenance of the Benelli 502C in India? A: The Benelli 502C can have higher maintenance costs, and service availability may be limited in smaller cities. Q: Does the Benelli 502C heat up in traffic? A: The Benelli 502C can feel warm in slow-moving traffic, which is common for larger engines in Indian conditions. Q: Is the Benelli 502C comfortable for a pillion? A: The Benelli 502C has a small rear seat, so pillion comfort is not the strongest point, especially on longer rides. Q: How does the Benelli 502C perform on bad roads? A: The Benelli 502C has a slightly stiff suspension, so bumps and rough roads are felt more clearly. Q: What makes the Benelli 502C different from other bikes in this segment? A: The Benelli 502C stands out mainly for its cruiser styling combined with a twin-cylinder engine, which is not very common in this price range. | Q: What engine does the Triumph Tiger 900 GT have? A: It’s powered by an 888 cc, liquid-cooled, 12-valve, inline-3-cylinder engine producing around 108 PS at 9,500 rpm and 90 Nm of torque at 6,850 rpm. Q: What is the seat height of the Tiger 900 GT? A: The seat height is adjustable in the range of approximately 820 mm to 840 mm for the GT variant. Q: What kind of wheels and tyres does the Tiger 900 GT use? A: It uses a 19-inch front and 17-inch rear cast aluminium wheels (for the GT) paired with Metzeler Tourance Next tyres for road-biased adventure capability. Q: What electronics and features come with the Tiger 900 GT? A: Features include a full-colour 7″ TFT display with Bluetooth connectivity (“My Triumph” system), riding modes (Road, Rain, Sport, Off-road) for the GT, and Optimised Cornering ABS / traction control. Q: What is the fuel tank capacity and what mileage can be expected? A: The fuel tank capacity is 20 litres. Real-world mileage in India is reported around ~21-22 km/l depending on conditions. Q: What is the starting price of the Tiger 900 GT in India? A: The ex-showroom starting price is around **₹14,40,000** (for the GT variant in India). Q: Is the Tiger 900 GT suitable for both touring and everyday commuting? A: Yes — it’s designed as a road-focused adventure tourer with comfortable ergonomics, road-capable suspension and engine characteristics that make it suitable for long rides as well as city traffic. |
| Fuel System | Fuel Injection | — |
| Price Variants | STD | 580000 | GT | 1440000 |
| Pros | Looks and road presence: The 502C has a bold, muscular cruiser-style appearance. Its design draws attention, giving you strong presence on the road. Balanced engine and rideability: The 500 cc twin offers smooth, linear power delivery that’s easy to manage in city traffic but still capable on highways enough punch for overtakes or cruising without being overly aggressive. Comfortable ergonomics for many riders: With a low seat height and relaxed riding posture, it’s reasonably comfortable for day-to-day rides or weekend trips. Good for highway and long rides: Large fuel tank and stable chassis make it well-suited for longer rides due to less frequent refuelling and a planted feel at cruising speeds. Decent performance + braking hardware: The bike’s brakes (disc + ABS) and suspension are competent for its segment, offering reasonably confident stopping power and decent ride quality over typical road surfaces. | Strong engine performance: The 888 cc triple delivers a solid mix of usable torque and mid-range power, making it versatile for both urban riding and highway touring. Excellent handling and refined chassis: Reviewers mention that despite its size, the Tiger 900 GT feels lighter and more agile than expected, especially on road. High-quality feature set: The bike comes with modern electronics (riding modes, traction control, cornering ABS), adjustable suspension, and other premium components that enhance the riding experience. Comfortable for long rides: With a relaxed yet upright riding posture, good wind-protection and stable ride quality, the Tiger 900 GT is well-suited for touring. |
| Starter | Electric | — |
| Transmission | 6-speed | 6 speed |
