Benelli introduces Leoncino 250 and TRK 251
Popular Chinese-owned Italian motorcycles brand Benelli sees its local Malaysian line up expanded further this week with the arrival of two new quarter-litre offerings, those being the Leoncino 250 and TRK 251.
We’ve had a closer look at both models when they were previewed locally during KLIMS 2018, where we’ve noted they stylish designs and tasty spec sheets that will make them hard to resists amongst enthusiasts.
Now, there’s affordability added into the attraction factor for both thanks to their affordable asking prices. Here’s what you can expect in these new offerings from Benelli.
Leoncino 250
We’re no strangers to the Leoncino nameplate, which by the translates to ‘baby lion’ in Italian. We’ve already sampled it in its larger Leoncino 500 form prior but this smaller 250cc version will likely move off showroom floors at a quicker rate.
Much of what we saw in the bigger 500 version is mirrored here, namely its stylish retro scrambler-esque design, as well as a sleuth of tasty modern bits like full-LED lighting and a digital instrument display.
At the heart of things is Benelli’s very own 249cc liquid-cooled DOHC single cylinder mill primed with electronic fuel injection. It thumps out 25hp and 21Nm, both managed by a six-speed transmission and chain drive setup.
Other notable features include all-round disc brakes, inverted front forks, 17-inch cast alloy wheels, as well as an electric starter. This is a rather compact-sized machine, hence its slightly smaller 12-litre tank size, and featherly 164kg claimed kerb weight.
Available in three tasty colour choices (yes, red included), the Leoncino 250 commands RM13,888 sans ABS and from RM14,688 with ABS equipped when it hits authorised dealer floors starting from September this year.
TRK 251
Like the retro-skinned Leoncino 250, the TRK 251 is fashioned similarly to another bigger Benelli-badged model, that being the TRK 502 adventure-styled dual-sport.
Effectively, both the Leoncino 250 and TRK 251 are identical underneath their pretty skins, sharing the same thumpy 249cc single-cylinder powertrain, anchors and other ancillaries, but there are some differences of course.
Key features brimmed in the adventure-styled TRK 251 high-travel front forks and rear shock, as well as a larger 18-litre fuel tank. Also, the powertrain benefits with a higher state of tune, delivering a claimed 26.8hp instead and a unspecified torque.
Other noteworthy features present include a digital instrument display, electric ignition, full-LED lighting, a USB charging port, as well as snazzy 17-inch cast alloy wheels amongst many others.
Also available in three colour choices, this rival to the Kawasaki Versys-X 250 will hit authorised dealer floors at the end of this month, commanding the same RM13,888 (no ABS) and RM14,688 (with ABS) price tag as its retro twin.
Benelli Leoncino 250
Benelli TRK 251
