Test ride

Morbidelli T502X: what it’s like and how this Chinese mid-range adventure bike performs

The name is Italian, but it is manufactured by the Chinese giant Keeway

by Gianluigi Guiotto

2 July 2026

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4' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

4' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

In the world of mid-capacity adventure motorbikes, there is a market segment that is enjoying extraordinary success: that of affordable crossovers (in terms of price, weight and performance), designed for those who want to travel, tackle the odd dirt track and use their motorbike every day without having to spend the kind of money you’d pay for a premium maxi-enduro. In this segment, which has seen the success of the Benelli TRK 502 (another Italian brand now under Chinese ownership) and now the Honda NX500, comes the Morbidelli T502X, a bike which, although built in China, carries on the legacy of a historic Italian brand, founded in 1968 in Pesaro, and adapts it to today’s needs: to offer a comfortable, easy-to-handle, technologically advanced and well-equipped motorbike capable of accompanying the rider in any everyday situation, from the commute to work to summer holidays.

Off-road look

The T502X immediately strikes you as a true adventure bike: an imposing front end, full-LED headlight assembly, a tool-free adjustable windscreen, engine guard, side protection bars and hand guards with a metal core all highlight its touring credentials, even off-road, despite being fitted with a 19-inch front wheel. The high-tensile steel frame features a robust diamond-shaped structure, whilst the 43 mm upside-down fork offers 180 mm of travel and the monoshock is preload-adjustable. The braking system is supplied by J.Juan and comprises twin 300 mm front discs and a 240 mm rear disc; the wheels are 19-inch tubeless spoked rims at the front and 17-inch at the rear, fitted with Pirelli Scorpion Rally Str tyres.

The kilos when ready to ride, with a full 18-litre tank, come to 210: that’s quite a lot, but it’s easily manageable thanks to the seat, which, whilst set at 830 mm, has narrow sides that allow even those who aren’t exactly tall to put their feet on the ground. The wide handlebars also make the bike easy to handle, even at low speeds.

A2 twin-cylinder engine

At the heart of the T502X is a 486 cc parallel-twin engine, featuring DOHC eight-valve timing, a Marelli fuel system and liquid cooling. Maximum power is 47.6 cv at 8,500 rpm, whilst torque reaches 45 Nm at 6,750 rpm: these figures are ideal for staying within the A2 licence limits.

Paris-Dakar-style vertical display

The electronics offer two riding modes (Standard and Off-Road) which adjust the ABS intervention, disabling it at the rear in the second mode (the cable-operated throttle does not allow for further adjustments). The 7-inch vertical colour TFT display allows you to mirror navigation from your smartphone and control functions via the Morbidelli Connect app. Among other things, this app provides integrated GPS navigation, real-time tracking, an SOS button for emergencies, an anti-theft system with remote vehicle shutdown, and full connectivity with the official app (one year’s service included with purchase). There are also two USB ports (standard and Type-C), backlit handlebar controls and full LED lighting.

How are you?

On the T502X, the riding position keeps your back straight and your arms stretched out across the wide handlebars, giving you an excellent sense of control; the footrests are positioned correctly and also allow you to ride standing up. The seat is soft, perhaps a little too soft: when you’re in the saddle for long periods, you’d like a bit more support. The engine’s power delivery is linear and progressive, with good pull at mid-range revs: in town, you’ll appreciate its flexibility, with a six-speed gearbox that almost never hesitates (the first few gears are quite close together) and a fairly smooth clutch; the tight turning circle allows you to weave between cars with ease. It is, however, on country roads that the Morbidelli’s character really comes to the fore: the precise front end offers stability at high speeds and honest handling, even in the fastest bends; the engine doesn’t set the world alight in terms of power and acceleration, but it’s perfectly in keeping with the model’s DNA. Braking, meanwhile, is powerful but not aggressive: to achieve strong deceleration, you need to squeeze the levers firmly, which also causes the front fork to compress significantly.

Off the tarmac, the physiological limitations of a road adventure bike become apparent: the suspension performs well on gravel roads and light off-road terrain; to go beyond that, there are more specialised options available on the market.

On the motorway, the aerodynamic protection is good: the windscreen, which can be adjusted without tools, provides good protection for the torso, but the shoulders and the top of the helmet remain exposed, as do the knees. There is also a bit too much vibration (at 130 km/h the engine revs at around 6,000 rpm), which is particularly noticeable on the footrests. The range is impressive: with a claimed fuel consumption of around 24 km per litre (confirmed by our test), the Morbidelli can cover 400 kilometres on a full tank.