Before I even get straight into this article, a word of thanks for deciding to read this column and we are grateful, one for your support and overall, your love for motorcycles. We are truly grateful. Now Enough of the mushy mushy stuff let’s get real.
Benelli as you all know just came into Kenya a few years ago and boy have they made an impact in the Kenyan motorcycle community. Talk about good timing, am I right? The riding culture in Kenya has only started gaining momentum with the first bikes landing in Kenya in 2018. How do I know? My logbook says so. Anyway, I digress. I, personally owning a Benelli TNT 150, can proudly say it’s a really good bike. I know we don’t get the latest models of zero mileage bikes… well, first of all, bikes are expensive, and no business person will ship goods that no one will buy, at least that’s my thinking logic as to why Captain motors don’t bring newer models. Makes sense doesn’t it? We all aren’t prodigy sons of rich politicians or have wealthy families to back us up. We are sons and daughters of farmers, a lot of us, me included had to sweat and toil for that coin. But worry not, trust the process and you shall achieve your dreams of riding that Panigale V4 or that KTM 1290 adventure, or in my case, that Triumph Tiger 800. I’m going to stop there because it is a rabbit hole I’d rather not dive into.
I’m getting off track here… so back to the new boy in town. Allegedly from a reliable source, our very own Tony the HR as he goes on Facebook, says there might be a huge possibility of there being a Benelli TRK 251, and boy was I excited.
One thing you should know is that Kenyan roads are whack and the conditions of the majority of roads are not suitable for a lot of bikes.
In that regard, people who own dual sports and ADV bikes have the best fun, lucky bastards. However, the new arrival of the Benelli TRK 251 will open doors for us small sons and daughters to be able to venture into the life of adventure bikes. Kenyan riders are known for their love for randoms. You can not miss a group of riders riding fast on highways and bypasses leaving you in a cloud of dust. However those randoms are limited to tarmacked roads with slightly low off-road travels since no one is going to risk denting a hole in their exhaust or engine, which can be huge pain especially in the middle of no where. Trust me, I know.
Onto the Specs of the Benelli TRK 251.
It will come with a 249 cc liquid cooled 4-Stroke, single cylinder DOHC engine that will produce a maximum power of 25.8 HP at 9250 rpm and a maximum torque of 21.2 NM at 8000 rpm. Since its built for worldwide use its been made to comply with emissions standards and that is Euro 4. It has a six speed gear box with an estimated top speed of around 157 km/hr a tad faster than its fraternal twin brother the TNT 250.
It being an entry level ADV bike it has a seat height of 835 mm and a ground clearance of 200 mm. It’s on the lighter side of the weight spectrum, coming in at 153 kg wet, almost 11 kg heavier than the Benelli TNT 150. Speaking of wetness, the bike will come with a 17 litre tank and its estimated to give you a 24.39 kilometres per litre, not a bad millage if you ask me.
Let’s look into the heart of the bike, its engine.
Like we mentioned earlier it has a 249 cc liquid cooled 4-Stroke, single cylinder DOHC engine. It will also come with standard fuel injection, no slipper clutch although I think it should be standard for all bikes now, but it has a wet clutch. That’s as close as we will get to a slipper clutch. The compression ratio of the engine is 11.2:1, with a bore and stroke of 72 mm and 61.2 mm.
The final drive is a chain… shocker!
From all that we’ve mentioned, its basically a Benelli TNT 250 engine that has been pumped up slightly. The real difference comes to its body, let’s have a look-see shall we.
It borrows its looks from its bigger brother the TRK 501, from the dash to the headlights, a beautiful monster of a bike. From all the reviews I have watched, its a pretty comfortable bike. It will come with a 41 mm USD front Forks and the usual rear mono shock absorber. The whole package is enclosed in a steel trellis tubes. The overall height is brought about with 17 inch x MT 3.50 in wheels with a 110/70-ZR17 size on the front and a 150/60-ZR17 at the rear but I’m sure you can slap a 160 there, though you will compromise on speed. Definitely a no-brainer. You’d think they would at least upgrade the brakes, but I guess we will have to wait for a little bit longer. The brakes haven’t changed and are the same as its brother. It will come with a 280 mm single disk at the front and a 240 mm disk brake at the rear. The best thing this bike has is a 2 – Channel ABS system like its big brother the Benelli 302s.
Oh I forgot to mention it has a large windscreen. Nothing says adventure motorcycle than a big windscreen.
According to my own opinion, this is the best entry-level ADV bike to enter the Kenyan market. I think it will sell like hot cake. Of course we have the likes of Raleigh, KTM 390 adventure and other bikes, and they are mighty expensive in terms of price. We are not quite sure of the price of the Benelli TRK 251 but we estimate it to be around 300,000 Kenyan shillings.
What do you think the price will be? Let me know in the comments. And as always, ride safe, stay safe… until next time, Peace ✌
Thanks @Rico
However, Will Captain be stocking spares for the new TRK 251?
Or will customers be left to fend on the own like other Captain bikes?
Bro keep this up man. Good work
Like i said the bike is basically a tnt 250. it shares parts. about the parts id say that for now captain doesn’t have enough reason to bring in more parts as it will be ‘dead stock’ however as the demand increases they might be forced to import the parts. in any case you can get them on Ali Express
Good and great bikes go hand in hand with availability of spares. Let them reward us with it.
Spare parts will sell the bike like hot cake
This TRK 251 is definitely promising just like any other Benelli bt spare parts will keep buyers off…the price too which I think should be more than 270k
Is the bike in Kenya and how is the price , we are in march 2021
Considering how the prices have bern affected by the tax. It will be closer to ksh.400k
Is the benelli 150 still in market here in Kenya?