The long travel suspension and 19-inch front wheel of this bike did a good job of flattening the broken section of the road for me. The suspension can be further optimised if needed, since the front forks are fully adjustable while the rear monoshock offers preload and rebound damping tweaks. The bike impressed me the most on the winding roads where it handled extremely well in spite of its top-heavy nature. It goes in and out of corners with ease and the strong mid-range ensures a constant supply of torque.
After the sweeping curves in the mountains, I rode down an off-road trail to experience the dual-sport capabilities of the bike. The Amazonas was unaffected by the change in surface since the Metzelers had adequate traction on the dirt trail but I had to be careful with the throttle because of the fuelling issue. The bike should be able to tackle water crossings thanks to the high exhaust outlet and though it doesn’t get a bash-plate as standard, its 170 mm of ground clearance is high enough to prevent the engine from getting damaged from below. It can even handle small jumps without giving a scare but this is not a bike for motocross.
The Trek 1130 Amazonas is a dual-purpose tourer for overland journeys that isn’t afraid of going off the beaten track. The absence of safety features does make it a bit under-equipped for the kind of power it makes but, on the other hand, it will be the most affordable dual-purpose adventure bike in its class. DSK Benelli are aiming for a sub-Rs 15 lakh on-road price, which can make it a serious threat in the segment.
