Quick Analysis
Benelli Leoncino 500
15.5 pts
Unweighted: 11 advantages
EnginePerformanceDimensionsBrakesTyresFeaturesOther
BMW M 1000 RR
15.5 pts
Unweighted: 9 advantages
EnginePerformanceDimensionsBrakesTyresFeaturesOther
| Specification | ||
|---|---|---|
Engine Specifications |
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| Cooling System | Liquid-cooled | Liquid-cooled |
| Displacement | 500cc | 999 cc |
| Engine Type | 2-cylinder, 4-stroke, 8-valve | 4-cylinder, four-stroke, liquid-cooled, DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder |
| Power | 35kW at 8500 r/min | 212 hp at 14,500 rpm |
| Torque | 46N·m/6000 r/min | 113 Nm at 11,000 rpm |
Performance & Efficiency |
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| Fuel Tank Capacity | 12.7 L | 16.5 L |
| Mileage | 23 Kmpl | 15.3 kmpl |
Dimensions & Weight |
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| Kerb Weight | 207 | 192 |
| Seat Height | 815 | 832 |
Brakes & Suspension |
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| ABS | Dual Channel ABS | Dual-channel ABS |
| Front Brake | Disc 320 mm Caliper - Front 4 Piston | Disc 320 mm Caliper - Front 4 Piston |
| Front Suspension | Upside-down forks Ø 50mm with rebound brake adjustable | Upside-down telescopic fork with a diameter of 45 mm |
| Rear Brake | Disc 260 mm Caliper - Rear 1 Piston | Disc 220 mm Caliper - Rear 2 Piston |
| Rear Suspension | Rear swing arm with lateral shock absorber with spring preload adjustment and hydraulic rebound brake adjustable | Monoshock, Full Floater Pro, 117mm Travel, Fully Adjustable |
Tyres & Wheels |
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| Front Tyre | Pirelli 120/70 ZR17 M/C | 120/70 - ZR17 |
| Rear Tyre | Pirelli 160/60 ZR17 M/C | 200/55 - ZR17 |
| Tyre Type | Tubeless | Tubeless |
| Wheel Type | Alloy | Alloy |
Features & Technology |
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| Headlight | LED | LED |
Other Specifications |
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| Battery | 12V / 8AH | 12 V / 5 Ah, Lithium-ion |
| Bike Image 1 | https://motoautiv.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/leoncino500silver.webp | https://motoautiv.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Screenshot_2026-03-19_190742-removebg-preview.png |
| Color Options | RED | #B11226 GREY | #A9A9A9 | Light white | #F4F4F4, #16588E Blackstorm Metallic | #121212, #16588E |
| Cons | The bike is on the heavier side, and this weight becomes noticeable during low-speed maneuvers, U-turns, or parking in tight city spaces. Fuel tank capacity is relatively small for a 500cc motorcycle, meaning touring riders may need more frequent fuel stops. The suspension can feel firm over broken roads, and sharp bumps may not be absorbed as smoothly as expected. The engine, while smooth, is not aggressively powerful — riders seeking quick acceleration or sportbike-like performance may find it a bit gentle. Some components and fit-and-finish details do not feel as premium as other bikes in the same price bracket. Limited dealership and service network in certain regions may affect ease of ownership. | Extremely high ownership costs Poor real-world fuel efficiency Aggressive, tiring ergonomics Complex, dealer-dependent electronics Steep maintenance and servicing costs |
| Detailed Overview | The Benelli Leoncino 500 is a middleweight bike that tries to balance daily riding with weekend highway use. It comes with a 500 cc twin-cylinder engine that makes around 47.5 PS and 46 Nm, and it is paired with a 6-speed gearbox. The engine feels smooth in most situations, whether you are riding in the city or cruising on the highway. It can go up to around 150–160 km/h, but in real use, it feels more comfortable at normal speeds. The bike is built on a steel frame and uses upside-down front forks along with a rear monoshock. This setup keeps the bike stable, especially on straight roads, but the suspension is slightly stiff, so you will feel bumps on bad roads. It runs on 17-inch wheels with wide tyres, which help with grip and balance. Braking is handled by dual discs at the front and a single disc at the rear, along with ABS for safety. In terms of size, the Leoncino 500 weighs around 207 kg, so it is not very light, but still manageable once you get used to it. The seat height is about 785 mm, which makes it easier for most riders to handle in stop-and-go traffic. Ground clearance is around 160 mm, which is fine for city roads but you may need to slow down on bigger speed breakers. The fuel tank is 12.7 litres, so for longer rides, you might need to plan fuel stops. The bike comes with a digital display that shows basic information like speed, fuel level, and gear position. It also gets LED lights, but there are no advanced features like Bluetooth or navigation. In everyday riding, mileage usually stays around 22 to 25 km/l depending on how you ride. Overall, the Leoncino 500 is set up in a way that keeps things simple, with a focus on smooth performance and a straightforward riding experience. | The BMW M 1000 RR is built around a 999cc water and oil-cooled inline four-cylinder four-stroke engine, sharing its basic architecture with the S 1000 RR but with meaningful internal differences. The cylinder heads are revised with larger 52mm throttle bodies, and the ShiftCam variable intake camshaft system is carried over. The result is 212 hp at 14,500 rpm and 113 Nm of torque at 11,000 rpm, delivered through a six-speed gearbox with a slip-and-assist clutch and a bidirectional quickshifter as standard. Fuel is fed via electronic injection with a variable intake pipe, requiring a minimum of 98 RON premium unleaded petrol. The chassis is a bridge-type cast aluminium frame with the engine serving as a structural element, wrapped around M Carbon wheels, a notable distinction from the standard S 1000 RR’s cast aluminium units. These carbon wheels contribute to the bike’s 192 kg kerb weight, one of the lowest figures in its class. Suspension is handled by a fully adjustable 45mm upside-down fork at the front with 120mm of travel, and a fully adjustable monoshock at the rear with 117mm of travel. Braking is taken care of by twin 320mm discs at the front with four-piston fixed calipers, and a single 220mm disc at the rear with a two-piston fixed caliper, supported by Race ABS Pro as standard. The bike rolls on 120/70 ZR17 front and 200/55 ZR17 rear tubeless radial tyres. Seat height is 832mm with a 16.5-litre fuel tank. The electrical system uses BMW’s M Lightweight lithium-ion battery at 12V / 5Ah, paired with a 450W alternator. The instrument cluster is a 6.5-inch TFT display with full LED lighting and electric start. Electronics include the full Riding Modes Pro suite with Launch Control, Wheelie Control, Pit Lane Limiter, Brake Slide Assist, Slide Control, and a steering angle sensor. The Competition variant adds the M GPS Laptrigger with data logging capability, a lighter anodised swingarm, DLC-coated M Endurance chain, and M milled parts. In India, it was offered in two variants, Standard at ₹49 lakh and Competition at ₹55 lakh ex-showroom, both now discontinued. |
| Expert Review | The Benelli Leoncino 500 is a roadster-style motorcycle that focuses on a mix of everyday usability and mid-range performance in India. It uses a 500 cc twin-cylinder engine that feels smooth and predictable, making it easier to ride in both city traffic and on highways. The riding position is upright and comfortable, which suits daily use, but the overall weight of the bike is noticeable at low speeds and in crowded areas. The suspension setup is on the firmer side, so rough roads can be felt more clearly, although it helps with stability at higher speeds. Braking performance is strong with dual front discs and ABS, offering good control in normal riding conditions. The bike keeps its features simple with a digital display and LED lighting, without advanced connectivity. In India, its relevance comes from offering a balanced riding experience, but factors like service network and maintenance cost still play an important role for buyers., 4.0, MotoAutiv Team | The M 1000 RR is BMW Motorrad's most extreme road-legal offering, extracting 212 hp from a revised version of the familiar 999cc ShiftCam inline-four. The M Carbon wheels and 192 kg kerb weight give it a noticeably sharp, responsive character, and the Race ABS Pro electronics suite functions cohesively at pace. On track, it is difficult to fault. In India however, the fully committed riding position, heat buildup in traffic, and the bike's narrow performance window make everyday use genuinely demanding. At ₹49–55 lakh ex-showroom, ownership costs, limited trained technicians, and growing parts availability concerns add further weight to the ownership equation., 3.9, MotoAutiv Team |
| FAQ (Manual Override) | Q: What is the engine configuration of the Leoncino 500? A: It comes with a 500cc, liquid-cooled, parallel-twin DOHC engine with 8 valves. Q: How does the Benelli Leoncino 500 perform in city traffic? A: In city use, the Benelli Leoncino 500 feels smooth and manageable, but heat and weight can make slow traffic slightly tiring. Q: What mileage does the Benelli Leoncino 500 give in real conditions? A: The Benelli Leoncino 500 usually gives around 22–25 km/l depending on riding style and traffic. Q: Is the Benelli Leoncino 500 good for long rides? A: The Benelli Leoncino 500 is comfortable for highway rides, thanks to its upright position and stable feel at higher speeds. Q: Is the Benelli Leoncino 500 beginner-friendly? A: The Benelli Leoncino 500 may not be ideal for beginners because of its weight and engine size, especially at low speeds. Q: Does the Benelli Leoncino 500 heat up in traffic? A: Like most 500cc bikes, the Benelli Leoncino 500 can feel warm in heavy traffic, which is normal for this segment. Q: What are common issues reported with the Benelli Leoncino 500? A: Some users mention small issues like sensor faults, vibrations, or minor parts wear, but nothing major is widely reported. Q: How is the service and maintenance of the Benelli Leoncino 500 in India? A: The Benelli Leoncino 500 can be costlier to maintain compared to smaller bikes, and service reach depends on the city. Q: Is the Benelli Leoncino 500 comfortable for shorter riders? A: With a seat height of around 785 mm, the Benelli Leoncino 500 is relatively manageable for shorter riders. Q: What makes the Benelli Leoncino 500 different from other bikes? A: The Benelli Leoncino 500 stands out for its twin-cylinder engine and scrambler-style design, which is not very common in this price range. | Q: Is the BMW M 1000 RR still available to buy in India? A: No. The M 1000 RR has been discontinued by BMW Motorrad and is no longer available through authorized dealerships in India. It can only be found through the used motorcycle market. Q: What is the difference between the Standard and Competition variant? A: Both share the same engine and core hardware. The Competition variant adds the M GPS Laptrigger with data logging software, a lighter anodised swingarm, DLC-coated M Endurance chain, M milled parts package, and M Carbon components, all oriented toward track use. Q: How practical is it for daily use in Indian cities? A: Very limited. The fully committed riding position, significant heat buildup in traffic, 832mm seat height, and track-tuned suspension make city commuting physically demanding and uncomfortable, especially in Indian summer conditions. Q: How does it differ from the standard S 1000 RR? A: The M 1000 RR gets revised cylinder heads with larger 52mm throttle bodies, M Carbon wheels, carbon fibre aerodynamic winglets generating significantly more downforce, M-spec brakes, a lighter overall package, and 2 additional hp, all developed specifically for homologation racing purposes. |
| Fuel System | Fuel Injection | Electronic fuel injection |
| Price Variants | STD | 560000 | Standard | 4900000 Competition | 5500000 |
| Pros | The Leoncino 500 has a very distinctive neo-retro design that instantly stands out, giving it a stylish presence that many riders appreciate. Its 500cc parallel-twin engine is smooth, predictable, and friendly, making it easy to manage in city traffic while still delivering enough power for enjoyable highway cruising. The low seat height and upright ergonomics make the bike accessible and comfortable for a wide range of riders, especially those who want a relaxed riding posture. Handling feels confidence-inspiring thanks to wide handlebars, good weight distribution, and a planted feel through corners. Braking performance is strong due to the dual front discs and ABS, offering stability and reassurance even during sudden stops. Build quality feels solid and the bike gives a “big-bike” road presence, which appeals to riders upgrading from smaller displacement motorcycles. The exhaust note has a pleasing, refined twin-cylinder character that many owners enjoy. | Monstrous, thrilling engine performance Comprehensive, race-grade electronics suite Lightweight, razor-sharp handling Powerful, fade-free braking Premium carbon-fibre build quality Highly adjustable suspension and ergonomics |
| Starter | Electric | Electric |
| Transmission | 6- Speed | 6-speed manual |
