Benelli Leoncino: the roar you like [ROAD TEST]

It is a fact that the interest around this Italian brand is high, and it is no coincidence that the video of the first contact with Leoncino last year is one of the most viewed ever for our channel (to date over 150 thousand views), but also the recent test of the TRK 502here our article e here is the complete video) is having great success. During the days of testing the Leoncino, we found a lot of curiosity, interested and approving looks at the traffic lights and few, very few criticisms for a product that convinces at first glance. We admit it, we too were curious, both Gianluca, who got back on the saddle after trying it at the 2017 presentation (here is his article) and that you see in the photos of this article, but also myself.

This is the video with his immediate impressions, which after having driven the Leoncino for a long time we feel we can substantially confirm in full. But let's analyze the Leoncino 500 in detail.

Aesthetics and finishes:

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A refined and effective look, it convinces at first glance

A motorbike that shows off elegance and sportiness, with a modern and retro look at the same time. Strong, but successful and well-studied contrasts, which see for example the presence of a front LED headlight and all-digital instrumentation, whose appearance becomes very choreographic especially in the dark, but which remains clearly visible even during the day and with direct light . At the same time we find the stylized lion on the front mudguard and a "traditional" motorcycle appearance. A compact naked, with the engine also a central element of its look. Almost all dark finishes, such as the fork covers, the handlebars, or the radiator, the headlight and the rims. The only exception is the satin-finished element of the exhaust terminal, located on the right side of the motorbike. An important and aggressive front end then sports brake calipers with radial connections and 50 mm fork legs.

The tail is very essential, so much so that the saddle leaves little space for the passenger, who is somewhat sacrificed in his position, while the license plate holder is a steel tube element fixed on the left side of the swingarm. The rear light is thin and placed just behind the saddle. It integrates position and brake lights and is LED. Many writings that recall the model, in addition to the aforementioned stylized lion on the mudguard. We find them repeated on the engine, on the badges next to the saddle, but also, for example, on the transmission chain casing.

More than in the aesthetic choices, which on the one hand depend on subjective taste, on the other are objectively spot on and reveal a very high attention to detail, especially when compared to the price of the motorbike, if we wanted to find a flaw in it we could do so for the display. It seems to suffer from long exposure to the sun, which causes it to function less than perfectly for a few minutes, without however affecting its readability.

Engine and performance:

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It can be driven with the A2, but it gives a good pleasure

It is a "quiet" engine, with characteristics that certainly do not make an impression, but after having tested the bike it deserves promotion with full marks. Yes, because if the approximately 48 horsepower might seem low, in reality the delivery curve is full exactly where it is needed and the reaction to opening the throttle is brilliant, beyond the best expectations for an engine with this power. We are talking about a 2-cylinder in-line engine, obviously 4-stroke, liquid cooled and with double overhead camshaft, 4 valves per cylinder. Its displacement is 500 cc (499,6 to be precise), obtained with a bore and stroke of 69 x 66,8 mm. This is a fundamental ratio, with a rather long stroke, to obtain a delivery that favors medium and low speeds. The Leoncino thus gives its best between 3 and 6 thousand rpm, with an important back, accompanied by a full and convincing sound, which gives the sensation of being riding a "serious" motorbike, not a small one. On the other hand, if you push harder and look for acceleration, you discover that at high speeds it's not a marvel, but never mind, it's not what this engine was designed for.

If in the past, driving the BN 602, we found its 4-cylinder engine conceived for the Asian market and also proposed for the European one, with all that this entails in a negative way, in reality this twin-cylinder is quite the opposite. Designed, not surprisingly, internally by Benelli, it is produced in China, for obvious reasons linked to belonging to the QJ group. The power is 47.6 horsepower at 8.500 rpm, with a maximum torque value of 45 Nm at just 5 thousand rpm, while its only real flaw is the vibrations, which are quite noticeable, especially on the footrests, but also on the handlebars, at motorway speeds.

Instead, it is promoted in terms of heat, given that it never heats up, not even when eternal temperatures are as important as these summer days. The gearbox is also excellent, the 6-speed has precise engagements, the clutch never gets too heavy and the ratios, rather short, are optimal. The choice of inhibiting the ignition of the motorbike if in gear, even with the clutch pulled, with the obligation to put it in neutral is curious. Only the most attentive, however, will be able to notice some small irregularities in the engine, especially when cold, a truly marginal thing and much more contained compared to the 4-cylinder 600, which instead had clearly shown this defect.

Ride and handling:

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Easy, intuitive and effective, it handles even the most sporty paces well

The Benelli Leoncino convinces on all fronts, especially if you judge it knowing its price. It does it for the appearance, it confirms it for a "right" engine, with the power you need and delivered where you need it, capable of conquering without ever becoming demanding, but it also does it for a truly balanced and intuitive chassis, very good and difficult to send into crisis. Its steel tube frame, to which the engine is hung, is combined with a very aggressive front end in its look, thanks to the fork with 50 mm stanchions and radially mounted brake calipers and 4 pistons, which bite generous 320mm discs. XNUMX mm.

The weight is quite low, 186 kg dry, 207 in running order, while the low saddle, placed just 785 mm from the ground, makes the Leoncino easy for everyone, including women, even in city traffic and when maneuvering from a standstill . Braking is good, but it is not exaggerated as the radial calipers might suggest and, in extreme use, it becomes slightly spongy and requires a fair amount of pressure on the lever. The ABS function is excellent, never invasive in its intervention.

Once you got on the bike you immediately felt at ease, the position was good, but above all the handling of a motorbike which immediately revealed itself to be a long-time friend was excellent, encouraging you to pick up the pace without fear. We tested it on challenging roads, taking narrow bends and with not the best asphalt, but also faster bends, without ever putting it into crisis and maintaining much sportier motorbike speeds, without too much effort. The Leoncino is quick and reactive, also thanks to the rather narrow section tire at the rear, with a 160, but also to the choice of the excellent Pirelli Angel GTs as original equipment. Easy and safe, it is fun for slightly more experienced riders, who will not be disappointed by a motorbike which, only on paper, is aimed above all at an audience of novices and which instead, in practice, conquers everyone.

Price and consumption:

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Attractive price, less than 6 thousand euros and low consumption

Among the characteristics of the 500 twin-cylinder, we also find that of having very low consumption. In our test we found confirmation of this, with an average figure of around 27-28 km/l, obtained with rather severe use of the Leoncino, on extra-urban routes in which the throttle was often fully open. Thanks to the 13,5 liter tank, the autonomy is therefore even close to the 400 km threshold.

That Benelli is making a comeback can be understood from the sales rankings, which have seen the TRK 502 present in interesting positions for months now, but also from the greater visibility of the sales network. For example, the motorbike of our test was delivered to us at the Teruzzi dealer in Melzo (MI), currently linked to another important Italian brand, but which a few months ago also returned to distributing the Pesaro brand, after a stop about 25 years old. Previously the relationship had lasted almost 40 years and mementos linked to Benelli's past still find a place inside the showroom, including a motorbike, now joined by the models of the current relaunch. Right here we were able to see live the brand new Trail version of the Leoncino, which puts its claws in, with knobby tires and a fashionable scrambler look, gaining spoked rims, a 19" wheel at the front and other modifications (such as the front brake calipers without radial attack, already seen on the TRK 502 You will soon see the Leoncino Trail again on these pages, as we should have the opportunity to test it in preview. Benelli, as for the "X" and the standard TRK 502, also offers an identical launch price for both for the two versions of the Leoncino, therefore fixed at 5.990 euros.

PROS AND CONS
We like it:
Pleasant in look and also in driving, excellent engine performance, price
We do not like it:
Reactions of the instrumentation to the sun, a few too many vibrations

Benelli Leoncino: the Motorionline report card

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Handling:
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Gianluca Cuttitta collaborated
Tester clothing:
Jacket: Dainese HF D1 Leather Jacket
Pants: Dainese BONNEVILLE SLIM
Shoe: Dainese STREET ROCKER D-WP
Gloves: Mtech– Hero
Helmet: Cast MT II
Mask: Cemoto