Not so long ago, Benelli launched the mid-size ADVs – the TRK 502 and the TRK 502X. Now, the brand has teased another motorcycle on their social media handles and going by the “ready to roar” tag, it is probably going to be the Leoncino 500 since the name translates to “Lion’s cub” in Italian. The company hasn’t specified the launch date yet, however, we expect the bike to be unveiled in the beginning of August.
The Benelli Leoncino 500 is a scrambler-style motorcycle powered by the 499.6cc, liquid-cooled, fuel-injected, twin-cylinder engine that develops 47bhp at 8,500rpm and 45Nm at 5,000rpm. The bike is built on a new platform and uses a tubular steel trellis frame. Suspension duties are handled by 50mm USD at the front and a monoshock at the rear.
Braking is handled by two 320mm discs at the front, with four-pot calipers and a 260mm single disc at the rear with a single-piston caliper. The motorcycle tips the scales at 207kg.
The bike is available internationally in Standard, Trail and Sport variants. The trail is more off-road friendly motorcycle with a 19/17-inch wheel set-up with knobbies. The bike also gets aluminium spoked wheels for added off-road cred. The Leoncino 500 Sport, which debuted in EICMA 2017, featured clip-ons, spoked wheels with road tyres and a double-barrel exhaust, similar to what Ducati did with their Scrambler café racer.
Going by the teasers, it is unlikely that all the three variants would be launched in the country. The standard variant is likely to be launched first in India. The Leoncino 500 will be the only mid-size Scrambler in the country. Going by the pricing of their current line-up, the Leoncino 500 is likely to carry a price tag of Rs 5 to Rs 5.5 Lakh. The Benelli Leoncino 500 will be the mid-ground between the Royal Enfield Interceptor and the Ducati Scrambler.