KIWI RIDER DECEMBER 2021 VOL2 | Page 93

BENELLI 800 RANGE GROWS WITH LEONCINO

800 TWINS

Benelli Motorcycles ’ big-bore range now consists of three models with the announcement that the brand ’ s popular LAMS Leoncino 500 is getting a big brother . Expected to arrive in New Zealand dealers in the first half of 2022 , the new Leoncino 800 is based around the firm ’ s 754cc parallel twin that is also housed in the 752S and recently announced TRK800 . That means power to the tune of 76.2hp ( 56 kW ) at 8500 rpm and a max torque of 67Nm at 6500rpm . The chassis is of a steel trellis design and is connected to the wheels via a Marzocchi 50mm fork with adjustable rebound , compression and preload . The rear suspension is a monoshock with rebound and spring preload adjustment . Benelli lists the weight of the Leoncino 800 in running order as 222kg , 15kg heavier than the LAMS Leoncino . Stopping the 17-inch wheels in their tracks is a Brembo braking system . Up the front are dual 320 mm diameter semi-floating discs and fourpiston radial-mounted calipers , while out the rear is a 260mm diameter disc on the back with

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