BMW G 310 R versus Benelli Leoncino 500
BMW G 310 R
Benelli Leoncino 500
Year of construction / RRP / Test report
- Comfort
- Price
- Pillion compatible
- manoeuvrable and bustling bike
- easy to use
- comfortable upright sitting position
- You don't need an instruction manual
- Driving performance absolute
- starts only when idle
- Sound could be better
- Bench a bit tight
Dimensions & Weight
Length : 2.005 mm Height : 1.080 mm
Seat : 785 mm
Weight : 158.5 (max: 345 ) kg
Length : 2.160 mm Height : 1.160 mm
Seat : 815 mm
Weight : 207 (max: 397 ) kg
Engine
Displacement: 313 ccm
Hub: 62 mm
Hole: 80 mm
Cooling: flüssig
Drive: Kette
Aisles: 6
Displacement: 500 ccm
Hub: 67 mm
Hole: 69 mm
Cooling: flüssig
Drive: Kette
Aisles: 6
Performance
Performance: 34 HP at 9.500 U/Min
Torque: 28 NM bei 7.500 U/Min Tank contents: 11 Litre
Consumption: 3 l
Reach: 330 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
Lattice tube (steel) Front suspension:
Upside-Down 41 mm (travel 140 mm) Rear suspension:
Mono strut (travel 131 mm)
Rear suspension:
Two-arm swingarm Tyres at the front: 110/70 R17
Rear tyres: 150/60 R17
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
Single disc (∅ 300 mm) Rear brake
Disc (∅ 240 mm)
2 floating brake discs with 4 piston radial brake calipers and ABS (∅ 320 mm) Rear brake
Single disc (∅ 260 mm)
Conclusion - for whom is it suitable?
So: Who is the small BMW G 310 R suitable for? For small and light people, of course. Those who simply want to ride a motorcycle and place little value on riding performance.
It is ideal for people who answer the question asked at the beginning whether a scooter would not be the better choice, with the handiness and driving pleasure of the BMW G 310 R. If the concept motorcycle is superior to that of the scooter, then here.
The Japanese competition is usually a bit more expensive than the BMW (wouldn't have thought I'd ever write this sentence). However, it usually exhausts the 48 hp limit of the driving licence class A2 and brings a little more peace than the BMW, which some consider to be hilarious.
But: After initial scepticism, one thing is clear: make sure the G 310 R is really fun. Who would have thought that?
The test bike was provided to us by Bergmann & Söhne.
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.
