It would not be an exaggeration to argue that the Indian motorcycle industry has seen a fundamental transformation in the last ten years, given its state. There are many local businesses in the market today, and there are not many products with affordable performance better than 2022 Benelli Leoncino 250 Urban Bike.
Currently, enthusiasts can only choose from 10 options in the 200 to 250cc class. Almost as many bikes fall in the $2–$2.5 million price range, and there are several other body types to choose from, including barebones, cruisers, classics, and entry-level sports bikes.
It is now more difficult for producers to leave a lasting impression on a product, given the variety of options available to consumers. Every new product should have that extra feature that no other product does. Otherwise, it will just be “another day, another dollar.” Or in this instance, “another day, another product.”
The 2022 Benelli Leoncino 250 Urban Bike, a smaller version of the Benelli Leoncino 500 that Benelli introduced earlier this year, is now available. So, does Leoncino’s kid have that unique quality that will enable him to break into a crowded market and carve out a niche for himself?
2022 Benelli Leoncino 250 Urban Bike – Features and Price
Handling
The new 2022 Benelli Leoncino 250 Urban Bike’s silhouette is similar to its big brother in design. The shape of the petrol tank is also quite similar. Its connection to the 500 is evident in the alloy wheel design, stubby tail section, and floating rear mudguard.
But not everything is the same, and you must pay close attention to see the differences. The 2022 Benelli Leoncino 250 Urban Bike’s headlamp is oval rather than spherical like its big sister. The exhaust is also more significant, as is the front mudguard. If someone pays close attention, you’ll notice that the disc brakes are smaller and the forks are upside down. It is also tiny, measuring 2,030mm in length and 1,115mm in height.
Because of its wide handlebars and upright riding posture, the Baby Boy is comfortable to ride, at least for the upper body. The lower body can feel cramped due to its small proportions and rear-seat foot pegs, which are incredibly uncomfortable for taller riders. Although the Leoncino looks stylish thanks to its stubby subframe and tail section, the plane lacks space.
The all-digital instrument cluster of the 2022 Benelli Leoncino 250 Urban Bike is aesthetically pleasing and easy to use while driving. However, there is a lot of space in the upper right and left corners of the screen that could have been better used to display time or fuel economy.
Power
A 249cc single-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine based on the TNT25 powers this little Leoncino. It produces 21Nm and 25.4bhp. These numbers are not the best in class! For example, Honda CB 300R and KTM 250 Duke have more power. And sadly, the 2022 Benelli Leoncino 250 Urban Bike’s performance reflects that.
It doesn’t accelerate that fast. For beginner riders, developing a straight rpm range of the engine can be very helpful. The 2022 Benelli Leoncino 250 Urban Bike, though, may leave those looking for pure performance and thrills wanting more.
Not the smoothest engine out there either. Above 6,500 rpm, there is a noticeable vibration through the footpegs and the petrol tank, which can make your feet feel numb after a long ride. Nevertheless, the engine is remarkable. In fifth gear, you can easily cruise at 30-35 kmph without knocking, which is fantastic in slow-moving traffic. More importantly, it doesn’t require many gear changes, which is a good thing since the 6-speed transmission isn’t exactly the smoothest either.
Agility
The ride and handling balance of the 2022 Benelli Leoncino 250 Urban Bike is one of its biggest strengths. The ride is a bit scary as the suspension is set on the firm side, especially on bumpy roads, but you can manage without it. The price is negligible in exchange for good high-speed stability and confident handling. The wide handlebar makes it easy to lean the bike into turns, and in this situation, the grippy Metzler tires add a lot of confidence.
Braking hardware is competitively priced despite being smaller than the 250 Duke’s front disc. Behind the 2022 Benelli Leoncino 250 Urban Bike is the giant disc in its class. While the brakes have sufficient stopping power, I feel it could be slightly better.
Ride
The 2022 Benelli Leoncino 250 Urban Bike is a very versatile product. While we were happy with the motor’s ability and ride balance, it fell short on performance and refinement. The biggest downside of the Leoncino 250, though, is its price. It is priced at 2.50 lakhs and shipped to India by CKD.
I couldn’t help but think of Mufasa’s wise advice when riding baby Leoncino, “Being brave doesn’t mean you get into trouble.” Unfortunately, Benelli has priced the Leoncino 250 at the same price as the KTM 390 Duke and the Royal Enfield Interceptor 650, precisely what they wanted to achieve. There is also the Honda CB 300R, which is slightly less expensive despite being CKD.
So, the 2022 Benelli Leoncino 250 Urban Bike will be difficult to sell unless Benelli increases localization and lowers the price.
2022 Benelli Leoncino 250 Urban Bike – Price in India
The new 2022 Benelli Leoncino 250 Urban Bike is available at ₹2.50 lakh only, making it an Ideal Motorcycle to Buy in India.
2022 Benelli Leoncino 250 Urban Bike – Technical Specifications
Engine and transmission
Displacement | 249 ccm (15.19 cubic inches) |
Engine type | Single cylinder, four-stroke |
Power | 25.5 HP (18.6 kW) at 9250 RPM |
Torque | 21 Nm (2.1 kgf-m or 15.5 ft.lbs) at 8000 RPM |
Compression | 11.2:1 |
Bore x stroke | 72mm x 61.2mm (2.8 inches x 2.4 inches) |
Valves per cylinder | 4 |
Fuel system | Injection |
Fuel control | Double Overhead Cams/Twin Cam (DOHC) |
Ignition | Delphi MT05 |
Lubrication system | Wet sump |
Cooling system | Liquid |
Gearbox | 6-speed |
Transmission type | Chain (final drive) |
Clutch | Wet |
Fuel consumption | 2.8 liters/100 km (35.7 km/l or 84.01 mpg) |
Greenhouse gases | 65 CO2 g/km. |
Emission details | Euro 5 |
Chassis, suspension, brakes, and wheels
Frame type | Steel trestle in steel tubes |
Front Suspension | Upside down 41mm fork |
Front-wheel travel | 125 mm (4.9 inches) |
Rear Suspension | Swing arm with central shock absorber |
Rear wheel travel | 60 mm (2.4 inches) |
Front tire | 110/70-R17 |
Rear tire | 150/60-R17 |
Front brakes | Single disc. ABS |
Diameter | 280 mm (11 inches) |
Rear brakes | Single disc. ABS |
Diameter | 240 mm (9.4 inches) |
Wheels | Aluminum alloy |
Physical measures and capacities
Dry weight | 153 kg (337.3 pounds) |
Weight incl. oil, gas, etc | 162 kg (357.1 pounds) |
Power/weight ratio | 0.1665 HP/kg |
Seat height | 800 mm (31.5 inches) |
Overall height | 1100 mm (43.3 inches) |
Overall length | 2030 mm (79.9 inches) |
Overall width | 840 mm (33.1 inches) |
Ground clearance | 170 mm (6.7 inches) |
Wheelbase | 1380 mm (54.3 inches) |
Fuel capacity | 12.5 liters (3.3 US gallons) |
Reserve fuel capacity | 2 liters (0.53 US gallons) |
Other specifications
Color options | White, Anthracite, Red, Brown |
Starter | Electric |