Benelli Motorcycles USA has announced an addition to its Leoncino family of scrambler motorcycles, with the 2021 Benelli Leoncino Trail. Translated directly as “little lion,” the street-focused Leoncino and off-road capable Leoncino Trail comprise Benelli’s two-bike middleweight scrambler lineup. The Leoncino Trail is equipped with wire-spoke wheels, more aggressive rubber, increased suspension travel and a taller handlebar to facilitate off-road riding.
Powering the Leoncino Trail is a 500cc DOHC parallel-twin engine, producing a claimed 48 horsepower at 8,500 rpm. The little lion’s beating heart is said to offer tractable power delivery, as well as plenty of midrange grunt, that should prove useful when commuting or venturing off the beaten path.
The Leoncino Trail shares its engine, frame and swingarm with the standard Leoncino. However, to improve its footing off-road, the Trail utilizes 19- and 17-inch wire-spoke wheels, equipped with 90/10 Metzeler Tourance tires. The suspension travel has also increased for the Trail’s rebound adjustable 50mm USD fork and laterally mounted single shock, featuring preload and rebound adjustment. Taken together, the wheel and suspension changes have added ground clearance to suit the Trail’s needs. The last mechanical changes are in the form of dual 320mm wave-style rotors. However, the Benelli branded four-piston calipers return.
A taller handlebar is new to the Trail, making this scrambler’s cockpit even more spacious and encouraging a comfortable, upright riding position. A stitched gripper seat supplements comfort as well. The basic LCD instrument panel incorporates vintage design cues while remaining true to the Leoncino’s overall aesthetics.
Benelli has blended contemporary and retro design elements in the minimalistic Leoncino line but wisely included modern niceties such as LED lighting.
The 2021 Benelli Leoncino Trail joins a growing list of scramblers ready to scoot around the city and head for a romp in the hills. The Italian designed, and Chinese manufactured Leoncino Trail hopes to edge out the competition with its affordable $6,499 MSRP. For more information, visit Benelli Motorcycles USA.
2021 Benelli Leoncino Trail Photo Gallery:
Nice looking bike.This is the bike I was hoping one of the big four would make.
I will own one of these in the first part of 2021. I’ve been drooling over this bike for almost a year.
Interested, Interested, ….Chinese manufactured – Uninterested. What a shame.
The same company that owns Benelli also owns Volvo and Lotus. I don’t see a problem.
Find out where yours is built, I’ve a 23 year old GS 1100, Germany.. now? Everything is now farmed out to .. everywhere.
Disappointed this is built in China. Looks the missing link in the market.
Good looking ride. Priced right and low weight. Now only if I had a dealer within 200 miles.
Any SSR dealer can order you one, work on it, and perform warranty repairs.
Benelli build quality control is outstanding. 302s matches up with any of the Japanese motorcycles.
I own a 2020 302s and have been favorably impressed so far in its features and overall quality. Yes, given world events, I wish it were still purely Italian, but if I didn’t purchase anything made in China my home would be quite devoid of a lot of things…
Ha ha ha. Try finding any motorbike that doesn’t have parts made in China. They are the main manufacturers of the World now. Quality is right up there. HD parts been made there for many many years. It’s 2022 not 1992.