Getting on the Leoncino 500 you immediately feel at ease: the weight of 201.5 kg measured in running order (without fuel) and the natural riding position allow you to quickly become familiar with the bike, while the small 12.7-liter tank allows even small people to squeeze it between their legs. Comfort is good: there is plenty of space, the saddle is comfortable and well-shaped, the suspension has a soft set-up. The passenger is fine: the saddle is comfortable, there are two practical handles and even the footrests are placed at the right distance from the seat surface.
Image
The driving position is spot on
Engine ready
The twin-cylinder Benelli immediately pleases because it pushes hard at low and medium revs in all gears, accompanied by a gritty exhaust note. Only when accelerating hard would you like a bit more extension. It is a lot of fun on the curves, even if it does not like sporty driving, because the suspensions have a soft calibration that favors ride comfort. Good braking, adequate for the performance of the brilliant neoclassic from Pesaro. The gearbox is soft and precise, the gears engage easily. The clutch is sturdy, just a little hard to operate.
Displacement and horsepower are what they are: with an engine of this type you cannot have particular ambitions on the highway: you keep cruising speeds of 110-120 km/h, also because if you increase the vibrations increase noticeably and to a rather annoying extent. Good consumption, however: 14.8 km/l on the highway, but overall you can keep an average of about 20km/l. In the city the Leoncino moves well, even if there are no electronic aids (ABS aside). Managing the brakes and engine is not complicated anyway.
Image
