Agile, good looking and easy enough for a beginner to throw its weight around, Leoncino 250 is a compact fun package.
Design
Its good looks are perhaps the strongest parameter that made me develop a liking for it. The full-LED light headlight has a nice and bright semi-oval DRL outline. The oval shape itself lends is a unique face. Paint schemes are smartly laid out too, with an excellent white thrown in. And it has the most colour options available in the segment, red, white, grey and brown, as should be for its good looks. It has a short slim body with a compact saddle and upright seating position.
Engine and Performance
All that grandeur is circles around a 249cc liquid-cooled single cylinder engine. It makes a decent 25.44bhp of maximum power and 21Nm peak torque at a high 8,000rpm. Pair that with a 6-speed gearbox and nearly get a sub-10sec 0-100kmph sprint. Good thing is that the power delivery is very predictable and linear making it ideal for first-time riders. You crack open the throttle and the power arrives giving you ample time to prepare for it.
Ride and Handling
It’s an Italian machine, right, so they had to get this right. And they did! The handling is a mix of quick directional changes but not firm enough to break your back. And the rubber choice is superb, with Metzeler Sportec M5s performing duties. I’ve developed a special liking for good quality tyres on regular motorcycles, and these Metzelers are one of the best balance in business. They also help improve the braking performance from the ok-ish brake setup.
Also, read about Imperiale 400 which is another classic move by Benelli India.
Verdict
Oo dear! I really like this bike in isolation. Surely it cannot hold a candle to my trusty age-old Ninja 250R, but it is exotic enough to make me fall for its likable character. But the pricing puts it in the direct line of fire of very aggressive and meaner competition. KTMs 390 Duke is a killer, Honda’s CB300R is another piece of quality and the Royal Enfield’s Interceptor has giant muscles. And the cheaper crop of Suzuki’s Gixxer 250, KTM’s 250 Duke and Bajaj’s Dominar 400 perform just as well for cheaper. Leoncino 250 is a great looking agile scrambler which can be used every day in the city. Its looks and rarity alone can win some favours. Look at it this way, Batman does not have any superpowers, but he can swirl the entire Justice League on his fingertips.
Ride Safe, Ride Hard, and always wear a helmet while riding. Stay Tuned for more from the world of motorcycling.
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This post was published on January 9, 2020 6:42 pm