Benelli 502c

"Great value cruiser if parts sourcing doesn't scare you."

The 502C is Benelli's attempt at a budget retro cruiser, and honestly it mostly works. The parallel twin is smooth enough at highway speeds, the chrome details look genuinely premium for the money, and sitting on it feels substantial — not the flimsy Chinese bike stereotype you might expect. Used examples between 2019-2022 represent decent value if you can find one under 8 grand with low miles. Here's where you need to be careful though. Parts availability is genuinely problematic — dealers are sparse and shipping from overseas takes time. I've heard of owners waiting weeks for basic consumables. The suspension is also soft for anyone over 180 pounds, and the fuel gauge is notoriously optimistic. Check the service history obsessively; skipped oil changes on these engines show up fast. If the previous owner has sorted the teething issues and maintained it properly, you're getting a good-looking cruiser at a price that undercuts Japanese competition significantly. Just go in with realistic expectations and budget for some upgrades.