Sorry but i don't agreel, all major European brands are join venture with Chinese brands ( Loncin (BMW), Zongshen (Piaggio) and (Norton Motorcycle Company), Qingqi (Suzuki/Peugeot), Jianshe (Yamaha), Lifan (MV Agusta), Qianjiang (owners of Benelli), Jialing (Honda)(KTM/CFMOTO). They have quality because they produce engines for Elite brands. I'm not saying that i'm happy with it but Europe and America are closing eyes and in 10 years they will replace Japan and others. We are all giving them the know how because major brands want to produce to half the price and earn the same as luxury brands. Last i've heard Harley is going to do the same. Benelli as quality in 10 years they made a huge jump. And in EICMA this year the Chinese invasion started😁
Leoncino goes MAMA MIA! Great stuff Ian! Super long shadow man! Makes you look super slim!😂😂😂 Yes, Benelli were Italian with a great history, but as most companies around the world… if you rest on your laurels, you don’t survive with the same stuff. The bikes are styled in Italy but are owned by the Chinese with engines supplied & assembled in China. CFMoto are progressing & progressive on another level. Something different perhaps in collaboration with KTM helps their development. I think eventually the Leoncino 800 version will make its way to the US & will offer a bit more. Keep an eye out for new bikes being released from the Italian motorcycle expo called ECIMA 22. CFMoto will be releasing the 800NK using the 790 KTM twin. Thanks for your continued content Ian! Appreciate your humour, effort & great seeing the shadow man too! You sure deserve thousands of subs! Hang in there & hang loose! Thanks for adding in the metric numbers too! Super effort!🙌💪💪
Doing my part! Great insight and advice for viewing ECIMA. I'll have to keep an eye on that and see what the OEMs are bringing to the table for 2023. Appreciate the support as always. Cheers!
@Omni Moto Also not surprising. Your concerns in the video are valid concerns that I think a lot of people here in the US have. People just don't know about the brand and are skeptical about quality. But everyone I know who has ridden one agrees that it is a fun bike. Internationally it seems to have a pretty good track record so far having been out since 2017. I think 2022 was the first year for it here in the US.
They do still design in Italy according to some. Manufacturing is done in China, but it is done through the QJ motor group, who aren't exactly praised for their incredible attention to detail and quality. If someone wants to buy the bike though, I wouldn't let my opinion get in the way of their happiness.
Have to appreciate your honesty. Neat to see a "newer kid on the block" in the smaller CC category, but... a miss is a miss. Part of the small CC draw is the lower cost. Honda being cheaper, this one is definitely a miss. Till the next video, ride safe!
Glad to hear I didn't miss the mark. I assume with all of the import fees, Benelli probably can't afford to lower their prices. If they're going to call themselves a premium Italian manufacturer though, consumers need a reason to believe that. Rubber side down. 😎
@@Omni_Moto, I forgot the import fees part. Maybe nows the time to jump on the bandwagon before prices go thru the roof and there isn't an option to get in under 10 grand. Oh well... the used market will appreciate that.
I think it's worth noting cb500f has only got one front disc as far as I'm aware, whereas leoncino has not only got bigger but two of them and combined with radial calipers [edit] whoa! I've only just noticed! they've recently changed the calipers! until recently they were nice big radial calipers, now they changed to some regular ones. clearly trying to cut costs [edit2] my bad. trail seems to always have had normal calipers. it's the regular leoncino 500 that comes with radial brakes 👍 4:30 a little bit pointless doing 0-60 on a sloping ramp, don't you think? 😅
I know it’s been a couple months buuuuuuut, Harley Davidson will be rebranding the leoncino 500 and their 301’s for their more entry level bikes and safety course bikes. As you can imagine harley boys are not happy. I’ve had the pleasure to ride a leoncino 500 and I like it! The suspension in my opinion is far superior over my 2018 mt07. My mt07 suspension was kind of scary, high speed cornering she would twitch and wiggle and I’m not a fan of that at all. Fully adjustable suspension at that price point is unheard of. I test road one on some back twisty roads and It’s a vibe for sure. I didn’t notice the fueling too much because I had a quarter turn r6 throttle tube on my bike so it was pretty sensitive anyway. Mt07 is gone now so I might have to do some looking around to find a benelli. I just love tearin up backroads and this bike will eat em up! Annnd it’s cheap 🤷♂️.
I have a 2022 302s and thus far I have had a great! experience with Benelli. I also have a 2022 CFM 700 CL-X and I love it also. But my Harley Electra Glide is my baby.
That's awesome to hear! The 302S and the Leoncino seem to be the most promising between the two, but the price of them still surprises me every time I see it. If people are paying it though, they must be priced right I suppose. Ride safe!
@@Omni_Moto My 302s was $6.100 out the door brand new but I live in Montana. My CL-X was 7.300 out the door. I find our prices may be a bit better here on these bikes ATM. Long story on why I bought both LOL. Honestly though I love them both. I only mention the CF because you made reference to it. Love your reviews man. Ride safe and long.
I have a 2019 edition of this bike with 18,6kkm on it and I just like it. In my personal opinion it is a good middle point between price/quality/features/looks. In terms of reliability: no rust whatsoever. What went off: rear plate bulb after 2 years, spring holding the side leg after 2,5 years, thermostat after 3 years. These were peanuts in terms of cost to change them. What are the disadvantages: front light is weak when you want to drive outside the city (you can buy a new insert from Taobao for under 100usd - it literaly makes night to day difference ;) ), there is some ratting around 4,5rpm - you have to add some rubber/foam betwen the coils & metal clamp holding them, - fuel indicator is not reliable when there is less than 1/2 of the tank left (it is better to just look at the odometer).
A lot of those items sound like normal wear/issues on a motorcycle from any OEM. They all have their own quirks. Thanks for sharing your first hand experience! Super insightful and hopefully will help others make a decision. Ride safe. 👍
SSR is the importer, not manufacturer. Italian design and managed at Chinese factory. Quality is good. They have been sold in India for years, no real issues.
I think this same Leoncino, little Lion, is still for sale with little Head room. It is shoved back into a dark corner somewhere. HEAD on over. BOCOMO.
@@captainpugwash788 Well now I'm conflicted lol. At the end of the day, we all know the vast majority of parts come from China anyway. It's inevitable.
@@o2i3u5klwerh8 🤣 No burble pops on this bike. If you watch my Indian Chief review there were a few pops and burps in there towards the end. Maybe the next one I ride will have the burble you desire. Guess we'll have to just wait and see! 😁
@@MfrOffroadRiderNorCal If it was new from 2022, or new from 2002 today, if it has never had an owner, it has never had a chance to be mistreated. A factory warranty should still take care of any possible failures and give you some confidence when purchasing new. Sure the resale will be low, but that’s going to be every bike you buy. Totally your call, but you might enjoy it! You never know if you don’t try, so now the choice is up up to you - good buy, or goodye? 🤔
It’s hard not to look back over at the Honda when the pricing is so close. Something about the Benelli just felt kind of hollow too - It’s not that it was made poorly, it just didn’t feel as complete as a Honda.
@@Omni_Moto Agreed. I'm sure it's not a bad bike but unless there is a significant savings people will go with a Japanese manufacturer. I have a Chinese clone and for the price I couldn't get close to a Honda so it was a no brainer for me lol.
The specsheet being literally taped to the tank while you motovlog is hilarious.
Part of the gig 😂
Sorry but i don't agreel, all major European brands are join venture with Chinese brands ( Loncin (BMW), Zongshen (Piaggio) and (Norton Motorcycle Company), Qingqi (Suzuki/Peugeot), Jianshe (Yamaha), Lifan (MV Agusta), Qianjiang (owners of Benelli), Jialing (Honda)(KTM/CFMOTO). They have quality because they produce engines for Elite brands. I'm not saying that i'm happy with it but Europe and America are closing eyes and in 10 years they will replace Japan and others. We are all giving them the know how because major brands want to produce to half the price and earn the same as luxury brands. Last i've heard Harley is going to do the same. Benelli as quality in 10 years they made a huge jump. And in EICMA this year the Chinese invasion started😁
Hey Hugo. Thanks for a very detailed response and explaining why you disagree. Great points.
Good to watch a real honest opinion.
In my country the Leoncino is quite a lot cheaper than Honda CB500F. The Trail model is 835 mm from the ground. Otherwise a great video. Got my like.
Thank you for watching! 😎
Leoncino goes MAMA MIA!
Great stuff Ian! Super long shadow man! Makes you look super slim!😂😂😂 Yes, Benelli were Italian with a great history, but as most companies around the world… if you rest on your laurels, you don’t survive with the same stuff. The bikes are styled in Italy but are owned by the Chinese with engines supplied & assembled in China. CFMoto are progressing & progressive on another level. Something different perhaps in collaboration with KTM helps their development.
I think eventually the Leoncino 800 version will make its way to the US & will offer a bit more.
Keep an eye out for new bikes being released from the Italian motorcycle expo called ECIMA 22. CFMoto will be releasing the 800NK using the 790 KTM twin. Thanks for your continued content Ian! Appreciate your humour, effort & great seeing the shadow man too! You sure deserve thousands of subs! Hang in there & hang loose! Thanks for adding in the metric numbers too! Super effort!🙌💪💪
Doing my part! Great insight and advice for viewing ECIMA. I'll have to keep an eye on that and see what the OEMs are bringing to the table for 2023. Appreciate the support as always. Cheers!
"Anybody who has been building motorcycles for significantly longer than Benelli"????
I bought one last year and it has been a great bike.
Good to hear! The bike I used in this video is still in the showroom. 😬
@Omni Moto Also not surprising. Your concerns in the video are valid concerns that I think a lot of people here in the US have. People just don't know about the brand and are skeptical about quality. But everyone I know who has ridden one agrees that it is a fun bike. Internationally it seems to have a pretty good track record so far having been out since 2017. I think 2022 was the first year for it here in the US.
Chinesium XD Made me laugh way to hard! Keep the amazing work Ian!
Thanks for your kind words Leo! More to come. Stay tuned.
Great video! Thank you
Hey, thank you! Appreciate it.
Benelli has its history since 1900 as far I know.
And before the sold it to China they were well known in Italy and europe as a Italian manufactury
They do still design in Italy according to some. Manufacturing is done in China, but it is done through the QJ motor group, who aren't exactly praised for their incredible attention to detail and quality. If someone wants to buy the bike though, I wouldn't let my opinion get in the way of their happiness.
Have to appreciate your honesty. Neat to see a "newer kid on the block" in the smaller CC category, but... a miss is a miss. Part of the small CC draw is the lower cost. Honda being cheaper, this one is definitely a miss.
Till the next video, ride safe!
Glad to hear I didn't miss the mark. I assume with all of the import fees, Benelli probably can't afford to lower their prices. If they're going to call themselves a premium Italian manufacturer though, consumers need a reason to believe that. Rubber side down. 😎
@@Omni_Moto, I forgot the import fees part. Maybe nows the time to jump on the bandwagon before prices go thru the roof and there isn't an option to get in under 10 grand. Oh well... the used market will appreciate that.
I think it's worth noting cb500f has only got one front disc as far as I'm aware, whereas leoncino has not only got bigger but two of them and combined with radial calipers [edit] whoa! I've only just noticed! they've recently changed the calipers! until recently they were nice big radial calipers, now they changed to some regular ones. clearly trying to cut costs [edit2] my bad. trail seems to always have had normal calipers. it's the regular leoncino 500 that comes with radial brakes 👍 4:30 a little bit pointless doing 0-60 on a sloping ramp, don't you think? 😅
I know it’s been a couple months buuuuuuut, Harley Davidson will be rebranding the leoncino 500 and their 301’s for their more entry level bikes and safety course bikes. As you can imagine harley boys are not happy. I’ve had the pleasure to ride a leoncino 500 and I like it! The suspension in my opinion is far superior over my 2018 mt07. My mt07 suspension was kind of scary, high speed cornering she would twitch and wiggle and I’m not a fan of that at all. Fully adjustable suspension at that price point is unheard of. I test road one on some back twisty roads and It’s a vibe for sure. I didn’t notice the fueling too much because I had a quarter turn r6 throttle tube on my bike so it was pretty sensitive anyway. Mt07 is gone now so I might have to do some looking around to find a benelli. I just love tearin up backroads and this bike will eat em up! Annnd it’s cheap 🤷♂️.
I have a 2022 302s and thus far I have had a great! experience with Benelli. I also have a 2022 CFM 700 CL-X and I love it also. But my Harley Electra Glide is my baby.
That's awesome to hear! The 302S and the Leoncino seem to be the most promising between the two, but the price of them still surprises me every time I see it. If people are paying it though, they must be priced right I suppose.
Ride safe!
@@Omni_Moto My 302s was $6.100 out the door brand new but I live in Montana. My CL-X was 7.300 out the door. I find our prices may be a bit better here on these bikes ATM. Long story on why I bought both LOL. Honestly though I love them both. I only mention the CF because you made reference to it. Love your reviews man. Ride safe and long.
I have one, it's excellent, zippy and fun 👍
I have a 2019 edition of this bike with 18,6kkm on it and I just like it. In my personal opinion it is a good middle point between price/quality/features/looks. In terms of reliability: no rust whatsoever. What went off: rear plate bulb after 2 years, spring holding the side leg after 2,5 years, thermostat after 3 years. These were peanuts in terms of cost to change them. What are the disadvantages: front light is weak when you want to drive outside the city (you can buy a new insert from Taobao for under 100usd - it literaly makes night to day difference ;) ), there is some ratting around 4,5rpm - you have to add some rubber/foam betwen the coils & metal clamp holding them, - fuel indicator is not reliable when there is less than 1/2 of the tank left (it is better to just look at the odometer).
A lot of those items sound like normal wear/issues on a motorcycle from any OEM. They all have their own quirks. Thanks for sharing your first hand experience! Super insightful and hopefully will help others make a decision. Ride safe. 👍
Hey! I know that dealership! I thought I recognized that ride around.
SSR is the importer, not manufacturer. Italian design and managed at Chinese factory. Quality is good. They have been sold in India for years, no real issues.
I think this same Leoncino, little Lion, is still for sale with little Head room. It is shoved back into a dark corner somewhere. HEAD on over. BOCOMO.
The Leoncino is the only benelli still made in Italy
Thanks for the fun fact! I had no idea.
Designed in Italy, made in China. Only the seat is made in Italy.
@@captainpugwash788 Well now I'm conflicted lol. At the end of the day, we all know the vast majority of parts come from China anyway. It's inevitable.
Many manufacturers are selling out to M, first charater of the VIN.
Leoncino goes MAMA MIA
The switch gear on that is what I see on Coleman mini bikes at work. Overpriced by a lot
I personally just can’t justify the price of this bike. It’s unique, and that’s about all I can say about it lol.
No burbling on the overrun?😢
Could you define burbling? I'm a little confused 😅
@@Omni_Moto brrrr pop brrrr pop pop 😂
@@o2i3u5klwerh8 🤣 No burble pops on this bike. If you watch my Indian Chief review there were a few pops and burps in there towards the end. Maybe the next one I ride will have the burble you desire. Guess we'll have to just wait and see! 😁
I got a quote from a benelli dealer $5899.00 not to expensive like the looks !!!
That’s a solid deal!
@@Omni_Moto yeah I thought so it is a 2022 model though!
@@MfrOffroadRiderNorCal If it was new from 2022, or new from 2002 today, if it has never had an owner, it has never had a chance to be mistreated. A factory warranty should still take care of any possible failures and give you some confidence when purchasing new. Sure the resale will be low, but that’s going to be every bike you buy.
Totally your call, but you might enjoy it! You never know if you don’t try, so now the choice is up up to you - good buy, or goodye? 🤔
Mas Honda já produz peças na China e Índia...
Showing your Murcan prejudice there.
The leoncino is cheaper… at least in spain
For an MSRP of $100 less, I'd go with Honda reliability as well.
It's sus how your shadow looks nothing like Schwarzenegger 😂
It’s hard not to look back over at the Honda when the pricing is so close. Something about the Benelli just felt kind of hollow too - It’s not that it was made poorly, it just didn’t feel as complete as a Honda.
@@Omni_Moto Agreed. I'm sure it's not a bad bike but unless there is a significant savings people will go with a Japanese manufacturer. I have a Chinese clone and for the price I couldn't get close to a Honda so it was a no brainer for me lol.
Leo Chino, so the Benelli Chinese Lion.
🇨🇳 🦁
Benelli,one of the oldest motorcycle designers😂😂
Benelli started 1909