BENELLI Leoncino 500 (2016-2017) Specs, Performance & Photos

In 2016, the Italian motorcycle maker introduced the Benelli Leoncino 500 (pronounced Leon-Cheeno, Lion Cub), a naked motorcycle designed by the fashion gurus at Centro Stile Benneli.

The bike's aesthetic department was characterized by features such as a round headlight upfront, a one-piece dual seat, a two-into-one exhaust system with a silencer mounted on the right-hand side, and wire-spoke wheels shod with off-road tires.

It was built around a steel tube trellis frame with a 50 mm inverted telescopic fork with 135 mm of travel on the front and a spring preload and rebound-adjustable shock absorber on the rear with 145 mm of travel, providing excellent suspension performance and handling.

As for the braking power, the motorcycle's wheels were fitted with two 320 mm floating discs with four-piston calipers on the front and a single 260 mm disc with a dual-piston caliper on the rear, assisted by an Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS).

In the performance department, the 2016 Benelli Leoncino 500 had its soul brought to life by a 500cc liquid-cooled four-stroke two-cylinder engine mounted underneath its fuel tank, delivering an output power of 48 hp at 8,500 rpm and 45 Nm (33 lb-ft) torque at 4,500 rpm.

The power was sent to the rear wheel via a six-speed transmission controlled by a wet multi-plate clutch and a final chain drive.