Does bigger equal better? Depends on what you’re talking about and who you ask. In terms of motorcycles, bigger engine capacity is usually always better – unless you’re in the LAMS market. LAMS, by its very nature, is restrictive, so to break out of those confines opens up new possibilities. Case in point being the Leoncino and Leoncino Trail siblings from Benelli, which are now bigger at 800cc capacity – but are they better?
I make no bones about my admiration for the previous, 500cc version of the Leoncino. I thought it was one of the best-looking motorcycles from any brand in the past decade. My ride on it during the Australian media launch confirmed it had the ‘go’ to match ‘show’, too, with impressive acceleration, braking and overall handling – better than anything you’d expect from a half-litre LAMS bike. I’m sure anyone who’s ridden one would agree.
So, almost five years on from the Leoncino and Leoncino Trail arriving on our shores (after originally being presented in concept form at EICMA in 2015), I’m in Melbourne to check out the “enlarged” versions of both models, which started arriving here in late September.
When I say ‘enlarged’, I refer back to my original comment about bigger being better. In this instance, Benelli have retained the same basic formula for the Leoncino and Leoncino Trail, but upped the engine capacity from 500cc to 754cc. Obviously, that moves it out of the LAMS category but opens it up to full licence holders who may hold some prejudices about using a “learner bike” as their regular ride.
OLD V NEW
At first glance, it doesn’t look like Benelli have changed much in transferring
