BMW R 1200 R versus Benelli Leoncino 500

BMW R 1200 R

Naked

Benelli Leoncino 500

Naked

BMW R 1200 R: The all-purpose weapon from BMW

The BMW R 1200 R (K27) from 2011 tested here still has the 110 hp boxer engine with air/oil cooling. This model was built from 2006 to 2014 and replaced the successful R 1150 R. In contrast to its predecessor, the 1200 is much more powerful and sporty on the road, without... weiter

BMW R 1200 R im Test

Gallery

What can the 48 hp retro naked bike in Italo design do?

The Benelli Leoncino 500 is an A2 bike in retro scrambler design. There are not many of this type of motorcycles and certainly not for less than 6,000 euros. We have the bike designed in Italy and manufactured in China under the wheels... weiter

Benelli Leoncino 500 im Test

Gallery

Year of construction / RRP / Test report

Built von 2007 bis 2017

Built von 2018 bis 2024~

RRP 13.100 €

RRP 5.990 €

Ausführliches Test-Video von Motorradtest.de
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Ausführliches Test-Video von Motorradtest.de

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Competitors

Pros:

relatively light for a boxer machine
powerful engine with character
upgradeable as an agile tourer
no technical overload
safe driving experience

Pros:

manoeuvrable and bustling bike
easy to use
comfortable upright sitting position
You don't need an instruction manual

Cons:

not cheap
Windbreak underground

Cons:

starts only when idle
Sound could be better
Bench a bit tight

Dimensions & Weight

Wheelbase: 1.515 mm
Length : 2.165 mm Height : 1.300 mm
Seat : 790 mm
Weight : 232 (max: 450 ) kg

Wheelbase: 1.460 mm
Length : 2.160 mm Height : 1.160 mm
Seat : 815 mm
Weight : 207 (max: 397 ) kg

Engine

Motor design: Boxer 2 Cylinder
Displacement: 1.170 ccm
Hub: 73 mm
Hole: 101 mm
Cooling: Luft
Drive: Kardan
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

Performance

Maximum speed: 220 km/h
Performance: 125 HP at 7.750 U/Min
Torque: 125 NM bei 6.500 U/Min

Tank contents: 18 Litre
Consumption: 5 l
Reach: 363 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:
two-part frame concept consisting of the main frame and the rear frame bolted to it, supporting engine (steel)

Front suspension:
Upside-down 45 mm (travel 140 mm)

Rear suspension:
Mono strut (travel 140 mm)
Rear suspension:
Paralever

Tyres at the front: 120/70 ZR 17
Rear tyres: 180/55 ZR 17

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

Brakes

Front brake
Double disc (∅ 320 mm) Rear brake
Disc (∅ 276 mm)

Front brake
2 floating brake discs with 4 piston radial brake calipers and ABS (∅ 320 mm) Rear brake
Single disc (∅ 260 mm)

Conclusion - what gets stuck

Wonderful, this BMW R1200 R. Not only beautiful, fast and safe, but also potent enough for an Alpine tour. Of course, this requires a suitcase system, which goes quite well into the money at BMW. And just a touring disc, which is to be used in the secondary market (e.B. MRA) for about 150 euros. In the mountains you should ride the other bikers quite nicely around the ears, because the 1200s brings everything you need: strength, agility, agility and above all the feeling of security that you can't really do much with this bike.

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.