BMW F 850 GS versus Benelli Leoncino 500
BMW F 850 GS
Adventure
Benelli Leoncino 500
Naked
Year of construction / RRP / Test report
Built von 2018 bis 2023
Built von 2018 bis 2024~
RRP 13.000 €
RRP 5.990 €
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Competitors
Pros:
- raised seating position
- good handling on and off-road
- Wide range of extras and accessories
- successful appearance
Pros:
- manoeuvrable and bustling bike
- easy to use
- comfortable upright sitting position
- You don't need an instruction manual
Cons:
- Windscreen could be slightly larger
- Price skyrockets with extras
- not quite as manoeuvrable
Cons:
- starts only when idle
- Sound could be better
- Bench a bit tight
Dimensions & Weight
Wheelbase: 1.593 mm
Length : 2.305 mm Height : 1.356 mm
Seat : 860 mm until : 880 mm
Weight : 229 (max: 445 ) kg
Length : 2.305 mm Height : 1.356 mm
Seat : 860 mm until : 880 mm
Weight : 229 (max: 445 ) kg
Wheelbase: 1.460 mm
Length : 2.160 mm Height : 1.160 mm
Seat : 815 mm
Weight : 207 (max: 397 ) kg
Length : 2.160 mm Height : 1.160 mm
Seat : 815 mm
Weight : 207 (max: 397 ) kg
Engine
Motor design: Number 2 Cylinder
Displacement: 853 ccm
Hub: 77 mm
Hole: 84 mm
Cooling: wassergekühlt
Drive: Kette
Aisles: 6
Displacement: 853 ccm
Hub: 77 mm
Hole: 84 mm
Cooling: wassergekühlt
Drive: Kette
Aisles: 6
Motor design: R2 cylinder, 4 valves/cylinder, 4-stroke 2 Cylinder
Displacement: 500 ccm
Hub: 67 mm
Hole: 69 mm
Cooling: flüssig
Drive: Kette
Aisles: 6
Displacement: 500 ccm
Hub: 67 mm
Hole: 69 mm
Cooling: flüssig
Drive: Kette
Aisles: 6
Performance
Maximum speed: 204 km/h
Performance: 95 HP at 8.250 U/Min
Torque: 92 NM bei 6.250 U/Min Tank contents: 15 Litre
Consumption: 4 l
Reach: 341 km
Performance: 95 HP at 8.250 U/Min
Torque: 92 NM bei 6.250 U/Min Tank contents: 15 Litre
Consumption: 4 l
Reach: 341 km
Performance: 48 HP at 8.500 U/Min
Torque: 46 NM bei 6.000 U/Min Tank contents: 13 Litre
Consumption: 4 l
Reach: 302 km
Chassis
Frame type:
Steel bridge frame in shell construction (steel) Front suspension:
Upside-down fork, Ø 43 mm (travel 204 mm) Rear suspension:
Mono strut (travel 219 mm)
Rear suspension:
Two-arm swingarm Tyres at the front: 90/90 21
Rear tyres: 150/70 R17
Steel bridge frame in shell construction (steel) Front suspension:
Upside-down fork, Ø 43 mm (travel 204 mm) Rear suspension:
Mono strut (travel 219 mm)
Rear suspension:
Two-arm swingarm Tyres at the front: 90/90 21
Rear tyres: 150/70 R17
Frame type:
Tubular space frame (steel) Front suspension:
adjustable upside down fork Ø 50mm (travel 125 mm) Rear suspension:
adjustable central strut (travel 128 mm)
Rear suspension:
Double tube profile swingarm Tyres at the front: 120/70 - 17
Rear tyres: 160/60 - 17
Tubular space frame (steel) Front suspension:
adjustable upside down fork Ø 50mm (travel 125 mm) Rear suspension:
adjustable central strut (travel 128 mm)
Rear suspension:
Double tube profile swingarm Tyres at the front: 120/70 - 17
Rear tyres: 160/60 - 17
Brakes
Front brake
Double disc (∅ 305 mm) Rear brake
Disc (∅ 265 mm)
Double disc (∅ 305 mm) Rear brake
Disc (∅ 265 mm)
Front brake
2 floating brake discs with 4 piston radial brake calipers and ABS (∅ 320 mm) Rear brake
Single disc (∅ 260 mm)
2 floating brake discs with 4 piston radial brake calipers and ABS (∅ 320 mm) Rear brake
Single disc (∅ 260 mm)
Conclusion - what sticks
The Benelli Leoncino 500 pretty much met our expectations. It is manoeuvrable and is therefore a lot of fun in city traffic. The maintenance interval of 7,000 km is a bit tight, but once a year you should have your bike checked anyway.The price for the machine is fine. As a competitor, we can only think of the Brixton Crossfire 500, which is slightly more expensive. The Honda CB 500 F has no retro bonds, must also be mentioned here as a 500cc classic (felt since the seventies) and as an extremely reliable bike, especially since it is not more expensive than the Benelli.
The test bike was provided by Legenday Cycles in Hamburg. There, the Benelli Leoncino 500 stands as a demonstrator and waits eagerly for more test riders. If you are looking for an A2 bike, style and want retro-naked scrambler design: Check it out.
