Motorcycle specifications Benelli800 Leoncino Trail 2022 Scrambler mid-size

introduced in 2015, but on sale from 2018, the Leoncino concept builds on the heritage of the Leoncino 125, which was the brand's crowning glory in the 1950s. After a few setbacks and an initial revival in the early 2000s, Benelli was acquired by the Chinese Qianjiang Motorcycle Group. The group was able to breathe new life into this historic Italian manufacturer, whose origins date back to 1911.

Capitalizing on its history, Benelli first resurrected the 500 cm3 Leoncino. This attractive motorcycle was offered in roadster version with the Leoncino 500, and in scrambler version with the Leoncino 500 T.

for 2022, the little lion, which means Leoncino in Italian, is showing its claws and continuing to grow, as it is now offered in 800 cm3, in both versions. While the Leoncino 800 is more of a road bike, the T - for Trail - version is more of a scrambler, with a design that leaves none of the codes of the genre to one side.

this new Sino-Italian lioness, designed at Benelli's R&D facilities in Pesaro, Italy, boasts a fine pair of mufflers that protrude high up on the right-hand side, protected by a race-number-style heat shield on which the beast's displacement is written in large letters. Likewise, the egg-shaped LED headlight is topped by a small cowling in the vintage off-road spirit. The English green of the Leoncino 800 T is a further nod to British heritage and scrambler culture.

Powered by the same water-cooled in-line twin that powers the Benelli TRK 800, the Leoncino 800 T naturally complies with current Euro 5 standards. Offering 76.2 hp at 8500 rpm and 67 Nm of torque at 6500 rpm, this engine will also be offered on both Leoncino models in A2 version, with power reduced to 47.5 hp and 50.3 Nm of torque. Like the TRK 800, the Leoncino is equipped with a six-speed gearbox.

equipped with a 15-liter fuel tank, the Leoncino 800 Trail weighs in at 234 kg, compared with 222 kg for the standard version. A little heavy for a machine that aims to return to its trail roots... If not in terms of dynamics, at least in terms of looks! Note that the Leoncino Trail offers a seat height of 830 mm, compared with 805 mm for the standard version. With its attractive 50 mm diameter Marzcocchi inverted fork, offering 140 mm of travel (versus 130 mm for the road version), and its spoked rims, the Leoncino 800 T should make it easy to get away from it all on rolling roads, but won't necessarily be at ease on rougher terrain.

the Leoncino is also equipped with ABS braking and Brembo radial-mount 4-piston calipers, which grip a double 320 mm-diameter disc. More flatteringly, the Leoncino features a beautiful TFT screen as instrument panel, but omits the whole armada of electronic assistants that are now a recurrent feature on so many motorcycles. This choice is justified by the brand's desire to offer motorcycles at contained prices. However, prices for the Leoncino 800 and Leoncino 800 T are not yet known.

Available from^2nd half 2022

Michael Levivier - Manufacturer's photos