2020 · Naked Bike · Buyer's Guide
Dressed Up, Throttle Honest
The 752S is Benelli's middleweight naked bike, and much of its case is made before you turn the key. You get a steel trellis frame and a muscular Italian stance. Up front sits an upside-down Marzocchi fork, the shock is adjustable too, and radial Brembo hardware works a 12.6 in (320 mm) front brake. ABS and a TFT dash are standard. The engine is a 754 cc liquid-cooled parallel twin derived from Benelli's larger triple, making 75 hp at 8,500 rpm and 49 lb-ft at 6,500 rpm. That's a lot of visible motorcycle for the money. Its appeal is style and equipment rather than being the sharpest tool in the class.
Ridden day to day, the 752S is calm, clean and predictable. The throttle is well judged, the bike holds a steady line at speed, and the handling is approachable once it's moving. The engine favors relaxed progress over excitement, though, and 498 lb (226 kg) wet is a lot of weight for this class. There's no traction control and there are no ride modes. Early 2020 bikes have reports of ECU glitches and stalling, and a few owners have reported clutch drag, so a used example needs a proper test ride. It's for the rider who wants presence and good hardware at a fair price and doesn't need a hooligan.
Spec sheets don't ride bikes, but they set the baseline.
| Power | 75 hp (56 kW) @ 8,500 rpm |
|---|---|
| Torque | 49 lb-ft (67 Nm) @ 6,500 rpm |
| Displacement | 754 cc |
| Engine | Parallel twin |
| Cooling | Liquid-cooled |
| Gearbox | 6-speed |
| Final drive | Chain |
| Fork | Upside-down (USD) |
| Front brake | 320 mm |
| Front tire | 120/70-17 |
| Rear tire | 180/55-17 |
| Seat height | 31.9 in (810 mm) |
| Wet weight | 498 lb (226 kg) |
| Fuel capacity | 3.8 gal (14.5 L) |
| Fuel economy | 44 mpg (US) |
Equipment check
Chassis
Connectivity
Safety
This isn't my own ride. It's what I've picked up over the years from owners in the paddock, at club nights, over coffee at gas stations, and in the emails and messages riders send me directly. On the 752S the pattern is clear: owners love the way it looks, stops and carries them over distance, and they wish the engine and clutch had the same polish.
Owners bring up the styling more than anything else. They talk about the sculpted bodywork and the exposed frame, and many say the bike looks more upscale than it is. The Brembo brakes get the next round of approval. Riders describe the bite as strong but progressive, with enough feel to trim speed precisely instead of just grabbing. In corners, owners say it turns in willingly and stays stable. Several also mention that the upright position makes longer trips comfortable.
The engine draws the most frequent complaint. Owners say the twin feels lethargic and slow to rev next to its rivals, and it lacks the zip they expected from this class. The weight comes up almost as often, and riders say it takes the edge off the bike's sporty side. The clutch gets its own comments too. Some owners find the engagement vague and grabby, which can mean a jerky launch or an unplanned stall. One owner also reports vibration through the bars, seat and pegs above 4,000 rpm, enough to wear on them over a long ride.
A couple of smaller complaints come up. Owners like how the slim mirrors look but criticize their narrow view, and more than one says they show more elbow than road. One rider found that the color TFT washes out and becomes hard to read when the sun is high or hits it directly.
ECU glitches on early 2020 models
Some owners report erratic engine behaviour and occasional stalling linked to the ECU on the 2020 model year; reportedly fixed in later production runs.
Clutch drag causing stalling
A few riders experienced the clutch dragging with the lever pulled in, leading to the bike lurching or stalling when engaging first gear.
Where this Benelli 752S pulls ahead of — or falls behind — its rivals on the numbers, and the typical bike in its class on character.
Power
Torque
Displacement
Wet weight
Seat height
Forget spec-sheet bragging. Here's who the 752S is actually built for.
For repeat runs on the Dragon and Cherohala, the 752S gives you a calm throttle and friendly handling to practice your lines on. Just know its weight asks for effort in the tightest switchbacks.
Made for Tail of the Dragon · Back of the Dragon · Blue Ridge Parkway
It looks the part parked at the café and handles the weekday city grind without fuss. If you're also shopping electric, know this is a gas twin with a relaxed character, so ride one first.
Made for Bay Area Ridge Roads · San Francisco / Bay Area · Skyline Boulevard / Alice's Restaurant
On canyon roads it stays composed and predictable, but a 75 hp twin with no traction control won't satisfy a rider chasing top-shelf pace. Buy it for style and value, not bragging rights.
Made for Angeles Crest Highway · Coronado Trail / US 191 · Highway 1 / Big Sur
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