Honda CL 500 versus Benelli Leoncino 500

Make
Model
Make
Model
Make
Model
Honda

Honda CL 500

Scrambler
Benelli

Benelli Leoncino 500

Naked

Year of construction / RRP / Test report

Built von 2023 bis 2024~
Built von 2018 bis 2024~
RRP 6.400 €
RRP 5.990 €
waveform
waveform
Pros:
  • very accessible, easy-to-ride motorcycle
  • manoeuvrable and agile handling
  • Easy to use, sit on it and drive off
Pros:
  • manoeuvrable and bustling bike
  • easy to use
  • comfortable upright sitting position
  • You don't need an instruction manual
Cons:
  • Footpegs in the way
  • dark display
  • Lever not adjustable within reach
Cons:
  • starts only when idle
  • Sound could be better
  • Bench a bit tight

Dimensions & Weight

Wheelbase: 1.484 mm
Length :
2.153 mm Height : 1.137 mm
Seat :
790 mm
Weight :
192 kg
Wheelbase: 1.460 mm
Length :
2.160 mm Height : 1.160 mm
Seat :
815 mm
Weight :
207 (max: 397 ) kg

Engine

Motor design: Reihentwin 2 Cylinder
Displacement: 471 ccm
Hub: 67 mm
Hole: 67 mm
Cooling: flüssig
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

Performance


Performance: 47 HP at 8.500 U/Min
Torque: 43 NM bei 6.250 U/Min
Tank contents: 12 Litre
Consumption:
4 l
Reach:
333 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

Front suspension:
Telescopic fork 41 mm (travel 150 mm)
Rear suspension:
Stereo shock absorbers (travel 145 mm)
Rear suspension:
Two-arm swingarm
Tyres at the front: 110/80R19M/C 59H
Rear tyres: 150/70R17M/C 69H
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
Single disc, two-piston caliper ( 310 mm) Rear brake
Single disc, single-piston floating caliper ( 240 mm)
Front brake
2 floating brake discs with 4 piston radial brake calipers and ABS ( 320 mm) Rear brake
Single disc ( 260 mm)

Result

The Honda CL500 is an easy-to-ride and very accessible bike that is a lot of fun to ride. It is simply equipped, does not pose any puzzles to the driver and works very well. As usual with A2 bikes, you shouldn't expect any performance miracles. The CL500 is more of a leisurely bike with which you consciously enjoy every kilometre.
 
The test machine was kindly provided to us by motofun . motofun is a large Honda dealer in Kaltenkirchen, north of Hamburg. There, the CL 500 is a demonstrator - and almost every other current Honda can also be test-driven there. Let's go to motofun!

Price/Availability/Colours/Years of Construction

  • Price: 6.400€
  • Availability: since 03/2023
  • Colors: orange, green, black, blue

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