Ever since Benelli started showcasing us products designed by CentroStile Benelli, slowly their reputation seems to have gotten back to its original charm albeit owned by a Chinese firm. The same design house has once again wowed us by showcasing the Leoncino (pronounced Leon-cheeno), meaning the Lion Cub.

This street motorcycle was first showcased at the 2015 EICMA as a concept and people had then put a lot of money on these bikes because of the potential shown. Then the very next year, the production model came out for the European and a few Asian markets, and it had maintained the rugged and beautiful lines.

2016 - 2018 Benelli Leoncino Lion Cub

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2016 - 2018 Benelli Leoncino Lion Cub
  • Horsepower: 33
  • Torque: 25
  • Transmission: 6
Pros
Cons

STYLING

The retro – modern design language is literally in vogue now. And this Leoncino has got the same treatment by the fashion gurus at CentroStile Benelli. It is an intelligent fusion of an old-school cover over modern technology that is born to live both the city and the wildlife. The Leoncino is designed to be a street that reminds you of the pure emotions that Benelli was famous for.

The curvy fuel tank, round headlight, stubby mudguard and floating tail section is an intelligent fusion of old-school design with modern touches that will appeal every enthusiast. The LED package takes care of all illumination duties on the motorcycle, and the highlight has to be the Lion of Pesaro which sits atop the front mudguard.

The saddle is both accessible and linear, perfectly follows the lines of the bike along the exhaust and tank design, which gives the Leoncino balanced and modern proportions. The lines get even extenuated when you notice the frame, a trellis in exposed steel tubes, integrates itself into the design forming along the fuel tank.

The Leoncino tends to have a more sophisticated look due to the alloys and street radials and comes packed in a formal, sporty, contemporary language. Both engine and the trellis frame gets the black theme along with the padded Alcantara pilot seat to give the permeated X factor.

Overall Dimension

Make Model

Benelli Leoncino

Ducati Scrambler Hashtag

Length

80.2 in

84.6 in

Width

34.5 in

33.8 in

Height

44.1 in

45.8 in

Wheelbase

56.8 in

57.4 in

Seat height

30.9 in

31 in

Wet weight

432 lb

403 lb

Fuel Tank

3.5 gal

3.6 gal


POWERTRAIN

The Lions will get a heart in the form of a twin-cylinder, four-stroke engine, liquid-cooled, 500cc, with a maximum power of 48 hp at 8500 rpm and maximum torque of 33 lb-ft that comes in at a low 5000rpm. This early surge of torque will enable the Leoncino to get off the block quicker and also give the scrambler a strong mid-range power band while on the move.

Featuring wet sump lubrication, electronic injection, overhead double camshaft timing system and 4 valves per cylinder, this mill promotes to be a fluid and reactive engine, which response very well in acceleration. It also features a 37 mm dual throttle body, clutch in an oil bath and a 6-speed gearbox completing the picture of a motor-safe and modern transmission wile duly abiding Euro IV emission norms.

Engine Specification

Make Model

Benelli Leoncino

Ducati Scrambler Hashtag

Capacity cc

499.6

399

Bore / Stroke mm

59 / 66.8

72 / 49

Output

48 hp @ 8500 rpm

40 hp @ 8750 rpm

Torque

33 lb-ft @ 5000 rpm

25.5 lb-ft @ 8000 rpm

Type

In line 2 cylinders, 4-stroke, liquid cooled, double overhead camshaft, 4 valves for cylinder

L-Twin cylinder, Desmodromic distribution, 2 valves per cylinder, air-cooled

Clutch type

Wet- Multiplate

Wet multiplate clutch with mechanical control

Transmission

6-speed

6-speed


RIDE AND HANDLING

Given the genre of these motorcycles, the riding position is quite upright with the slightly raised handlebar and footrest position. The saddle will provide sufficient cushion, and its contour puts the rider at ease and comfort. The frame is of the trellis type lattice of steel tubes on whose terminal part is hidden under the tank. All of this leads to more control over the bike, with enough room to move around and stand up on footrests when the situation demands for it.

The Leoncino was born to live in the city. It adopts 17” alloy wheels running with 120/70-ZR17 at the front and 160/60-ZR17 for the rear, guaranteeing grip, stability and performance in any condition. Upside handles suspension duties down 45mm adjustable forks, and a laterally mounted shock absorber controls the rear swingarm's movement. Braking the speeds are with 4 piston brake calipers gripping 320mm disc at the front and a 260mm disc with a single piston caliper at the rear with ABS as standard.

Chassis Specifications

Make Model

Benelli Leoncino

Ducati Scrambler Hashtag

Frame

Frame in steel tubes

Tubular steel Trellis frame

Suspension / Front

Upside-down forks 50mm

Traditional Showa 41 mm fork

Suspension / Rear

Rear swing arm with lateral shock absorber with spring preload adjustment and hydraulic rebound brake adjustable

Kayaba rear shock with fully adjustable preload

Brakes / Front

Twin semi-floating disk 320 mm with radial 4 piston caliper and ABS

320 mm disc, 2-piston floating caliper with ABS as standard

Brakes / Rear

Single disc 260 mm with single-piston floating caliper and ABS

245 mm disc, 1-piston floating caliper with ABS as standard

Tires / Front

120/70- R17

Pirelli MT 60 RS 110/80 R18

Tires / Rear

160/60 - R17

Pirelli MT 60 RS 160/60 R17


PRICE

Unfortunately, Benelli USA is not currently interested in getting this Lion onto our shores. It has been on sale in European and a few Asian markets for a couple of years now and costs around $ 7,000. Leoncino is available in red, silver, brown and black colors.

Make Model

Benelli Leoncino

Ducati Scrambler Hashtag

MSRP

$ 7,000 (Est)

$ 8,650


COMPETITION

Ducati Scrambler Hashtag

The Hashtag 400 takes all of its cues from the Scrambler Sixty2 that ran the streets of America right up until last year. The same bare-ass nakedness rolls on here with the minimal frame components and a light, clean look. Although this is the most affordable Ducati, the Italians haven’t made any compromises in giving it genuine, top-class materials such as the steel on the swingarm, the same material used to make the teardrop tank and the frame just like the Sixty2.

It runs on the same powertrain made of the 399 cc, air-cooled, L-twin engine that cranks out 40 ponies at 8750 rpm and 25.5 pounds of grunt at 8000 rpm, sufficient power for fun while staying well within the manageable range. The same six-speed transmixxer is also employed here.

The Hashtag also shares the chassis, wheels, suspension and braking units with the Sixty2. Featuring a twin upper spar steel Trellis frame and swingarm, the frame provides sufficient sturdiness for throwing around the machine on uneven rocky surfaces. 41 mm, Showa right-side-up forks and Kayaba coil-over monoshock handle the suspension with the right mix of comfort and performance. Whereas braking is taken care of 320 mm disc with a twin-pot caliper up front and 245 mm disc with a single-pot caliper in the back are sufficient. Bosch 9.1 MP ABS system with an internal pressure sensor give maximum stopping performance.

VERDICT

Leoncino is a tribute to a legend of Italian motorcycling that has made the history of Benelli and that today, thanks to the new CentroStile della Casa di Pesaro, finds its identity and its strong personality in the modern world.

Designed to perfectly match the motorcycle’s sharp forms with harmonious lines all the while representing the pure emotion that Benelli is famous for, the Leoncino will flaunt unique styles of riding to give the riders a modest, yet a tasteful take on the young generation of bikes.

It is a sincere attempt by Benelli to enter the retro styling bandwagon with this scrambler. The strategy many manufacturers like the Ducati and Triumph have been spurned by. Competition for them, a treat for us. Bravo!