2018 Benelli Leoncino (LAMS) Review

Benelli's Leoncino returns in 2018, as a 500cc learner legal parallel-twin cylinder, available for $8,990 ride-away in Australia, with laid back ergonomics and simple but elegant styling.
The full feature will be available on BikeReview.com.au. Jeff Ware

[@AmirChemE]

Good looking bike. Thanks for the review!

[@betaz1000]

thanks mate for relaxing review.. i always want this kind of style, not too sharp like most modern bike as i have Mv agusta brutale.. im looking forward to test drive this "baby lion" for my work commute

[@user-sw2lv3zp6o]

Good choice.

[@wickedleeloopy2115]

Definitely needs an after market seat & bullet cowel or small screen. 👌 good review.

[@BikeReviewcomau]

Cheers.... yeah that’d look great....

[@AridersLifeYT]

I agree that 1st gear did feel short, i found myself using 2nd alot more at slower speeds with abit more clutch work.

[@AmirChemE]

Do you agree that the left foot peg seems a little too upfront than the usual sporty position (which sits closer to the chains)? It felt weird because my left shin touches the left foot peg as i put my foot down right behind it.

[@AridersLifeYT]

Must be the way you are sitting on the bike MLG, i had no issues with it

[@GrimYak]

1st gear is a pain to use in stop and go traffic. and yeah, i find myself using second more but there are times when 1st is too short and second is too fast ugh. also, i find that 3rd and 4th seem to have a lot of overlap in gearing.

[@ilhamsabirin4673]

Nice review.. How about the throttle response at all rev range? Is it accurate?

[@agelaonsoikea]

Throttle response is precise and relaxed. No problem with it.

[@MrAndrew1953]

Looking at one of the Trail Leoncinos or TRK 502s. Extra wind/hand protection worth it?

[@BikeReviewcomau]

The TRKs have pretty good wind protection with the standard screen/ handguards, although it may vary by your height. If you're thinking of doing longer distances on the Leoncino it'd probably be worth looking into though.

[@MrAndrew1953]

@@BikeReviewcomau I've been told by a friend working in the industry to steer clear of Benelli because parts are very hard to get. E. G. 3 months in Australia for a replacement instrument dash assembly.

[@raygale4198]

@@MrAndrew1953 Ever tried getting Royal Enfield parts through the dealer network? Order on ebay have no name parts in under 2 weeks, order genuine RE through dealer 4 months is not unusual.

[@MrAndrew1953]

@@raygale4198 No I haven't owned a Benelli or an Enfield - just Japanese bikes, 1 Triumph and 2 BMWs.I have given a lot of thought to getting a Himalayan. I live in Essendon in Melbourne. There's a Benelli /Enfield dealer nearby who seems to be doing quite well.

[@raygale4198]

@@MrAndrew1953 Don't get me wrong the Enfields are good bikes for what they are my 350 has given me almost zero problems in 3 years and 12,000 km of thrashing. The bit i have had on order for months is a consumable, the cush drive rubbers for in the rear hub, go figure. There's a young lady on KZbin called Noraly, her channel is called Itchy Boots, if you need any confirming on just how capable a Himalayan is she has ridden one from India to England, by the back roads, as well as a lot of South America before Covid hit and closed the world, all without support vehicles.

[@jahnfirdaus]

Assemble in china?

[@agelaonsoikea]

The seat gets softer over time spent on the seat.

[@user-sw2lv3zp6o]

Cheap but 207 kg wet, whereas an XSR700 weighs 186 kg. I know the XSR isn't a LAMS, though.

[@BikeReviewcomau]

1990 true, it is heavy but handling is light for a .... XSR is a great bike too 👍