BMW R nineT versus Benelli Leoncino 500

Make
Model
Make
Model
Make
Model
BMW

BMW R nineT

Retro
Benelli

Benelli Leoncino 500

Naked

Year of construction / RRP / Test report

Built von 2014 bis 2023
Built von 2018 bis 2024~
RRP 17.050 €
RRP 5.990 €
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Pros:
  • pretty to look at
  • purist
  • cool driving experience
  • Numerous customizing options
Pros:
  • manoeuvrable and bustling bike
  • easy to use
  • comfortable upright sitting position
  • You don't need an instruction manual
Cons:
  • Price
  • nothing for giants
Cons:
  • starts only when idle
  • Sound could be better
  • Bench a bit tight

Dimensions & Weight

Wheelbase: 1.487 mm
Length :
2.220 mm Height : 1.265 mm
Seat :
803 mm until : 805 mm
Weight :
222 (max: 430 ) 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: Öl-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: 110 HP at 7.750 U/Min
Torque: 116 NM bei 6.000 U/Min
Tank contents: 18 Litre
Consumption:
5 l
Reach:
340 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:
Space tube, motor supporting (steel)
Front suspension:
Upside-Down 45 mm (travel 120 mm)
Rear suspension:
Mono strut (travel 120 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 ( 265 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's stuck?

The R nineT is not only fun to drive, but also looks great! And it is probably this combination that makes the bike so desirable for motorcycle fans worldwide right from the start.
BMW describes it as follows: "Design your motorcycle, design your life." It also has a lot to do with lifestyle and so the nineT leaves hardly any customizer wishes unfulfilled in terms of diversity. It is the basis for deep individualizations, which sets the machine apart from the competition. In addition to the already diverse model and design variants, there are plenty of Customizing accessories, so everyone can make their own roadster dream come true. Even the on-board electronics are designed with numerous interfaces in such a way that changes do not represent a major hurdle.

Even if the NineT is purist in almost all respects, it does not do so in terms of price. Not at all when you make the most of the numerous possibilities for change to realize your own exclusive dream bike. But individuality always has your price. However, the success proves BMW right again in this case, because the BMW R NineT is so popular that one should expect extremely long delivery times.

Das Testmotorrad wurde uns freundlicher Weise von Motorrad Ruser zur Verfügung gestellt.









Price/Availability/
Colours/years of construction

  • Price: 15,350 Euro
  • Used: from 9,500 Euro
  • Years of construction: since 2014
  • Colour:Blackstorm metallic, Blackstorm metallic Vintage (+980 €), Marsrot/Cosmicblue (+1100 €), Pollux/Aluminium (+980 €)
  • Other model variants: Pure, Scrambler, Urban GS

The test motorcycle was kindly provided by Motorrad Ruser.

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.

Price/availability/colours/years of construction

  • Price: 5.899 €
  • Used (3 years old): 4.500€
  • Years of construction: 2018-2022
  • Availability: from 2018
  • Colours: red, bright yellow