Italian-designed Benelli has unveiled a scrambler, adventure tourer and two Tornados at the EICMA motorcycle show in Milan with all four destined for Australia in 2016.
While the Pesaro firm doesn’t use the word “scrambler”, there is no doubting the Leoncino is a scrambler with its knobby tyres, big front wheel, tall suspension and motocross-style handlebars.
And who could blame them with Ducati doing so well with its Scrambler and introducing two new variations at the Milan show, along with BMW’s new R nineT Scrambler and Moto Guzzi’s Stornello scrambler now added to the mix.
Benelli pride
The new Leoncino design from CentroStile Benelli proudly displays the Lion of Pesaro on the front fender and includes LED running lights, steel trellis frame, upside down 50mm forks, lateral rear shock and twin 320mm front discs.
It is powered by a new twin-cylinder four-stroke, liquid-cooled, 500cc made by Benelli. Maximum power is 35kW at 8500rpm and torque is 45Nm at 4500 revs.
The Leoncino features wet sump lubrication, electronic injection, overhead double camshaft timing system, 4 valves per cylinder, hydraulic clutch and a six-speed gearbox.
The aluminium spoked rims are 19” at the front and 17” in the rear with wide 110/80-ZR19 and 150/70-ZR17 tyres.
It weighs in at a lithe 170kg which is 16kg lighter than the Ducati Scrambler which is the lights of the modern scramblers.
Benelli TRK 502Adventure bike
Staying off the pavement, Benelli has also unveiled the sharp-beaked TRK 502 adventure bike powered by the same engine as the scrambler with identical output and revs.
It looks ready for adventure with Pirelli Angel knobby tyres, 150mm-travel suspension with upside-down forks, 19-inch front wheel, hand guards, a 20-litre fuel tank and 230mm clearance.
The TRK 502 is driven by chain through a six-speed gearbox with a light hydraulic clutch.
Brakes are also identical to the Leoncino scrambler, but weight is much higher at 201kg.
Benelli Tornado 302Sportsbike
Benelli also introduced the Tornado 302, its first fully faired sportsbike since the Tornado 1130.
It is powered by an in-line two cylinder 4-stroke 4-valve DOHC Benelli engine, producing 26kW at 12000rpm and 27Nm at 9000rpm. The engine is mated to a six-speed gearbox.
The Tornado 302 features a trestle frame, 41mm upside down forks, lateral rear shock absorber and a 14-litre fuel tank.
The 17″ front wheel in aluminum alloy mounts 110/70 tyres and in the rear 150/60 tyres.
The Tornado 302 uses twin 260mm floating discs with a 4-piston calliper brake at the front and a single 240mm disc with a single piston calliper brake for the rear, with the option of ABS.
Benelli Tornado Naked TNaked
The fourth bike is the Benelli Tornado Naked T powered by a single-cylinder, four-stroke, air-cooled 4-valve, dual-spark engine, available in 125cc (8.6kW/10Nm) or 135cc (9.3kW/10.8Nm) capacities.
It rides on stubby 12-inch wheels with high-profile (120/70 and 130/70) balloon tyres which makes it a bit like a scooter/motorcycle crossover.
Suspension is via upside-down 41mm forks and lateral rear shock with spring pre-load adjustment.
It has a 220mm steel disc up front and 190mm dec in the rear. The fuel tank has a capacity of 7.2 litres.
The four Italian-designed and Chinese-made bikes will be available in Australia in the second half of 2016. Prices have not yet been released.