Benelli Leoncino 500 Review

Used Buyer Review

The Leoncino 500 is one of those bikes that looks better than it rides, but that's not necessarily a dealbreaker. The scrambler styling is genuinely attractive and it attracts compliments at every fuel stop. The parallel twin pulls decently from low revs, and around town it's surprisingly relaxed company. Benelli sorted most of the early gremlins by 2019, so avoid pre-2019 examples if you can — early bikes had fuelling hiccups and questionable switchgear that felt like it came from a budget parts bin. Here's the honest truth for used buyers: parts availability is the real gamble. Benelli's dealer network is thin, and if something goes wrong outside of warranty you're potentially waiting weeks for components. Check service history meticulously. The suspension is soft for anything beyond smooth tarmac, and the brakes are adequate rather than inspiring. Mileage examples under 8,000 miles are plentiful because owners tend to move on quickly — which tells you something. It's charming but not addictive.