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Benelli has been busy. They have been really busy trying to move up the motorcycle manufacturer ladder and their recent launches are a testament to that. They have been busy building motorcycles in the affordable segment, motorcycles that would generate numbers. The TRK 502X, a practical adventure tourer. The Leoncino 500, a beautifully styled retro scrambler. And it is the Leoncino book that is getting another chapter added to it. What you see here is the Benelli Leoncino 800.
The Leoncino 800 is an attractive motorcycle and there isn't a lot of doubt about that. In fact, the whole Leoncino line boasts of the retro scrambler styling that we all love. Be it the 500, or the recently launched Leoncino 250. The same can be said for the Leoncino 800.
It has not been officially announced yet and we expect the production version to make an appearance at this year's EICMA. The image that you see comes from a type-approval document which leaves little doubt on the existence and imminent arrival of the motorcycle. The best part is that the motorcycle is visually very similar to the very well received concept Benelli displayed last year.
There are a few changes though in the form of different brake discs, new engine covers and more classic finishes including bare aluminium on the pillion peg brackets. There are a few mechanical changes too. The wire wheels of the 2018 concept are gone, replaced with cast alloys on this version of the production bike, but it’s a pretty safe bet that wires will be available either as an option or, as on the smaller Leoncino 500, as a feature of a second ‘Trail’ version of the bike.
The Marzocchi forks have been replaced by similar-looking components with no visible brand name, suggesting these might be in-house components. Mass-made, cast aluminium triple-clamps are another difference, replacing the billet aluminium one-offs on the 2018 show model. There’s been a similar bait-and-switch when it comes to the brakes – the concept bike had Brembos but the production version uses Benelli-branded radial callipers assisted by Bosch ABS.
Specs-wise, the document confirms that the Leoncino 800 is powered by a 754cc twin that makes 76 bhp of power. It is the same unit that is used in the Benelli 752S. The cast alloy wheels are shod with 180/55ZR17 rear tyre and a 120/70ZR17 front. With 223 kg of kerb weight, the motorcycle is just 16 kg heavier than the Leoncino 500.
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The Leoncino 800 is an attractive motorcycle and there isn't a lot of doubt about that. In fact, the whole Leoncino line boasts of the retro scrambler styling that we all love. Be it the 500, or the recently launched Leoncino 250. The same can be said for the Leoncino 800.
It has not been officially announced yet and we expect the production version to make an appearance at this year's EICMA. The image that you see comes from a type-approval document which leaves little doubt on the existence and imminent arrival of the motorcycle. The best part is that the motorcycle is visually very similar to the very well received concept Benelli displayed last year.
There are a few changes though in the form of different brake discs, new engine covers and more classic finishes including bare aluminium on the pillion peg brackets. There are a few mechanical changes too. The wire wheels of the 2018 concept are gone, replaced with cast alloys on this version of the production bike, but it’s a pretty safe bet that wires will be available either as an option or, as on the smaller Leoncino 500, as a feature of a second ‘Trail’ version of the bike.
The Marzocchi forks have been replaced by similar-looking components with no visible brand name, suggesting these might be in-house components. Mass-made, cast aluminium triple-clamps are another difference, replacing the billet aluminium one-offs on the 2018 show model. There’s been a similar bait-and-switch when it comes to the brakes – the concept bike had Brembos but the production version uses Benelli-branded radial callipers assisted by Bosch ABS.
Specs-wise, the document confirms that the Leoncino 800 is powered by a 754cc twin that makes 76 bhp of power. It is the same unit that is used in the Benelli 752S. The cast alloy wheels are shod with 180/55ZR17 rear tyre and a 120/70ZR17 front. With 223 kg of kerb weight, the motorcycle is just 16 kg heavier than the Leoncino 500.
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