Benelli Leoncino 800s – Roar Power

Benelli has inserted a 754cc 57kW/67Nm parallel twin into the Leoncino platform, creating the Leoncino 800 and Leoncino 800 Trail, the latter with a 19-inch front wheel for a mix of dirt and road riding.

The pair are now up on the local Benelli website, which suggests product will be available any time soon.

The oversquare liquid-cooled twin has cylinder dimensions of 88mm by 62mm, and is said to be EU5 emissions ready. Power maxes out at 8500rpm while the torque peak arrives at 6500rpm.

Styling features include an upright oblong headlight shape with full LED elements and the miniature lion standing firm on the front mudguard. The Trail model has spoked wheels, twin raised mufflers, knobby tyres and a headlight fairing.

Other than style and wheel and tyre sizes, the pair are essentially the same under the skin.

They both share 50mm USD forks, fully adjustable and twin 320mm rotors acted upon by radial-mount four-piston calipers, with a dual piston 260mm set up at the rear. The monoshock at the back is adjustable for rebound and preload.

The standard Leoncino 800 has front fork travel of 130mm, while for the Trail it is 140mm. It’s the same at the rear wheel. Respective models have 17- and 19-inch front wheels, while they’re both 17s at the rear. Both models have 120/70 fronts, while the standard machine runs a 180/55-17 rear tyre. For the Trail it’s a 170/60-17.

Tank size is 15L, seat height 805mm and dry weight is a stated 222kg. The Trail model has a seat height of 834mm and weighs in dry at 234kg.

Both come in grey, brown, or green hues and there’s a two-year unlimited kilometre warranty.