The premium middle-weight cruiser segment was dominated by the Kawasaki Vulcan S in India. Now the brand has a direct competition in the form of the Benelli 502C, which was launched recently in the Indian market. Kawasaki also upgraded the Vulcan S to BS6 standards, and the motorcycle is in line with the current emission norms. We pin the new kid on the block, the Benelli 502C, against the veteran Kawasaki Vulcan S in this technical comparison.
Benelli 502c Vs. Kawasaki Vulcan S – Price & Colours
The Benelli 502C comes with a sticker price of INR 4.98 lakh ex-showroom. On the other hand, the Kawasaki Vulcan S now comes with a price tag of INR 6.10 lakh ex-showroom, India. The Benelli 502C comes with two colour options – Matte Cognac Red and Glossy Black. Kawasaki offers the Vulcan S with only a single Metallic Flat Raw Greystone Colour option.
Benelli 502c Vs. Kawasaki Vulcan S – Engine Specifications
Powering the Benelli 502C is a 500cc liquid-cooled in-line twin-cylinder engine. The BS6 compliant engine produces 47.5 PS of power and 46 Nm of torque. The motor comes with a 6-speed transmission unit with a wet multi-plate clutch. The Kawasaki Vulcan S comes with a larger 649cc liquid-cooled parallel-twin engine. The engine produces 61 PS of power and 62.4 Nm of torque. The Vulcan S also comes with a 6-speed return type transmission. The 502C also shares the motor with the TRK 502, TRK 502X and Leoncino 500 motorcycles. Similarly, the engine on the Vulcan S also does duty on the Kawasaki Ninja 650, Versys 650 and Z 650.
Benelli 502c Vs. Kawasaki Vulcan S – Mechanical Specifications
The Benelli 502C comes with an exposed arch bar truck trellis frame that rides on a 41mm upside-down front fork suspension and a centrally mounted monoshock. The Vulcan S features a high-tensile steel perimeter frame with 41mm conventional telescopic suspension on the front and linkage equipped offset laydown single-shock on the rear. The Benelli 502C comes with 280mm diameter front discs and 240mm diameter rear discs. The Vulcan S, on the other hand, comes with a 300mm single disc on the front and a single 250mm rear disc. The 502C comes with 17-inch front and rear alloy wheels, while the Vulcan S comes with an 18-inch front and 17-inch rear alloy wheel.
Benelli 502c Vs. Kawasaki Vulcan S – Dimensions & Ergonomics
The Benelli 502C measures 2240mm in length, 1140mm in height, and 750mm in seat height. The 502C comes with a 1600mm wheelbase, 21-litre fuel tank and road-ready weight of 216 kg. The Kawasaki Vulcan S comes with 2310mm in length, 1090mm in height and a low 705mm of saddle height. The Vulcan S also gets a 1575mm wheelbase, 14-litre fuel tank capacity and 235 kg of weight at the kerb. The Benelli 502C and the Kawasaki Vulcan S come with a forward set footpeg position, scooped rider seat and upright handlebars. The Kawasaki Vulcan also comes with a rider-adjustable ergonomic package that allows the rider to customise the riding position further.
Benelli 502c Vs. Kawasaki Vulcan S – Features
The Benelli 502C comes with features such as a unique stacked headlamp with LED daytime running lights, tuck and roll seat upholstery, upswept double-barrel exhaust pipes, and a fully digital instruments cluster. The Kawasaki Vulcan S comes with an aerodynamic multi-faceted reflector headlamp cluster and shroud, an easy-to-read analogue-style tachometer and multi-purpose LCD instruments with a gear position indicator, and an under-engine exhaust outlet.
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