You could be forgiven for thinking that someone has passed a new law that says every new bike launched for the 2016 model year must be a retro-styled scrambler because even Chinese-owned Benelli is in on the act with its Leoncino 500.
Based around a new 500cc parallel twin, the Leoncino is actually one of the more attractive-looking takes on the scrambler theme, and certainly ticks most of the boxes – knobbly tyres, flat seat, short tail, licence plate hung from the swingarm – that other scramblers have adopted. The lion mascot mounted on top of the front mudguard is a bit odd, though, even if it is true to the original Leoncino (lion cub) of the 1950s.
The new engine is claimed to make an A2-licence-friendly 35kW (48bhp) at 8500rpm and 45Nm of torque at 4500rpm, and is attached to a six-speed gearbox. As on all new European bikes for 2016, ABS is standard on those radial-mounted four-pot brakes.
The firm also revealed a new Tornado 302, based on the BN302 naked bike and aimed squarely at the Indian market. It makes 35bhp from a 300cc twin.
