Benelli TRK 251 Takes On The KTM 250 Adventure

Published December 10, 2021
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2 min read

Battle of the quarter-litre adventure bikes

Benelli has launched its smallest ADV the TRK 251 in India. It’s the most affordable offering from the brand. However, you also have the KTM 250 Adventure in the quarter-litre ADV segment in India. So, we decided to pit the two on paper, and here's what we found:

Engine

Specifications	TRK 251	250 Adventure
Engine	249cc, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled, 4-valve motor	249cc, single-cylinder, liquid-cooled, 4-valve engine
Power	25.8PS @ 9,250rpm	30PS @ 9,000rpm
Torque	21.1Nm @ 8,000rpm	24Nm @ 7,500rpm
Gearbox	6-speed	6-speed

Both bikes get the same engine displacement, but the KTM 250 Adventure makes much more power and torque, thanks to the 250 Duke-derived motor.

Going by our road test review of the Austrian ADV, it also proved to be potent enough to cover grounds at a healthy pace. As for the Benelli TRK 251, we’ll have to wait till the bike is launched.

Underpinnings

Specifications	TRK 251	250 Adventure
Frame	Steel trellis frame	Split-steel trellis frame
Front suspension	41mm USD fork with 135mm travel	WP Apex 43mm USD, 170mm travel
Rear suspension	Monoshock with 51mm travel	WP monoshock, 177mm travel
Front brake	280mm disc	320mm disc
Rear brake	240mm disc	230mm disc
Front tyre	110/70-17	110/90-19
Rear tyre	150/60-17	130/70-17

KTM 250 Adventure: Road Test

Even in the underpinnings department, the KTM 250 Adventure seems to be superior on paper. It not only gets a longer suspension travel which should give it better off-roading capability than the Benelli TRK 251, but also larger brakes and a larger front wheel to ride over big rocks and all that you’d encounter on terrain. Moreover, it gets a slightly slimmer rear tyre which should theoretically make directional transitions a bit more manageable than the Italian.

Dimensions

Specifications	TRK 251	250 Adventure
Wheelbase	1390mm	1430mm
Ground clearance	170mm	200mm
Fuel tank capacity	18-litre	14.5-litres
Seat height	800mm	855mm
Kerb weight	164kg (unladen)	177kg

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However, the Benelli TRK 251 gets a smaller wheelbase and a lower seat height. This should make it more convenient to steer around, especially in bumper to bumper traffic. Not just that, it even gets a 3.5-litre larger fuel tank than the KTM 250 Adventure. Technically, it should aid in reducing the fuel stops. But the 250 Adventure’s higher ground clearance should provide it better off-roading prowess.

However, pair the unladen weight of 164kg with the 18-litres of fuel and other fluids and the TRK 251 will be quite heavier than the KTM. This could play against it as the handling could take a hit, on paper.

Price

TRK 251	250 Adventure
Rs 2,51,000	Rs 2,35.000

(all prices ex-showroom Delhi)

The KTM 250 Adventure retails at Rs 2.35 lakh and the Benelli TRK 251 is priced at Rs 2.51 lakh (both ex-showroom Delhi). For about Rs 16,000 less, the KTM 250 Adventure not only offers better off-road and touring credentials but also more power and torque as well.

So, if you are to choose from the two options, the KTM 250 Adventure would be a more sensible choice.