INFO MOTO recently got the opportunity to test the new Benelli Leoncino 800 range, including the scrambling 800 Trail variant, with a trip along the Great Ocean Road and its surrounds.
We pushed the bike a bit harder than we anticipated – water crossings, jumps and sandy trails, not to mention a near high-side on the road – not what you’d call a ‘real-world’ test of the bike though it demonstrated the things that the bike does well and the areas in which it could improve. The results may surprise you as they surprised us!
What we like:
- Sweet styling
- Solid engine and gearbox
- Surprising off-road performance
Room for improvement:
- Suspension unrefined
- TFT incompatible with sunglasses
- More top-end would be nice
2022 Benelli Leoncino 800 price and specs
Benelli has this month released its new Leoncino 800 naked bike and 800 Trail scrambler sibling to Australian showrooms, priced rideaway from $13,490 and $13,990, respectively.
Both Benelli Leoncino 800 variants are motivated by a 56kW/67Nm 754cc parallel-twin motor, with the dirt-friendlier Trail distinguished by 19-inch (+2in) wire-spoked wheels with Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR tyres, longer-travel suspension (140mm), upswept exhaust outlets and suitable ergonomics, among other touches.
As a result of these changes, the Trail is 12 kilograms heavier than its road-bike sibling at 234kg (wet), and boasts an extra 41mm of ground clearance at 191mm. Both variants use a 15-litre fuel tank.
Standard across the range is twin four-piston callipers squeezing 320mm at the front end, while a single two-piston, 260mm disc setup is found at the rear. Beefy 50mm upside-down forks are used at the front end, while an aluminium swingarm and preload/rebound adjustable monoshock round out the suspension arrangement.
Both bikes are available in three colour schemes, Rock Grey, Forest Green and Terrain Brown.
Spencer has a keen eye for hard news, and does some of his best living on deadline day. He loves more than anything to travel on his motorcycle, and is adamant that Melbourne Bitter is a world-class lager. He also knows how to operate the big computery thing in the office. By night, Spencer plays guitar with Melbourne punk outfit LOUTS.
