Lams4Life - A scrambler approaches (in Smash Bros. voice)...

Hey all,

This is my first new thread I've posted, but I'll keep it simple.

I've been fishing around for what my upgrade will be around summer time and it's been a pretty exciting and disappointing time so far, what with the Duke 390 proving uncomfortable for commuting I'm left with the Duke 200. The Kwaka Z300's riding position is so uncomitted (neither fully upright nor sporty enough), the Cb300f is just underwhelming overall and other options like Suzuki and Yamaha proving a mixed bag.

So I nearly stood on my feet when I saw this: http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2015/11/benelli-leoncino-features-new-500cc-parallel-twin/

I found the specs for it here: http://autos.maxabout.com/bikes/benelli/leoncino/leoncino-scrambler

This one is definitely coming to Aus later this year. Needless to say, once the price/release date is confirmed I'll be sticking a poster on my wall. Handsdown the sexiest LAMS bike I've ever seen, and if the price is as indicated 4.5 lakhs, then it'll cost about the same as the cbr 500r here in Aus (if not less).

And the engine is being derived from the Benelli BN 302's 300cc twin - hands down the best sounding twin cylinder LAMS money can buy. Youtube "BN 302 Akrapovic/Ixil" and have a listen

Fingers crossed this is on the LAMS list, I love the look and specs of the bike so far - seems like it would be a pretty decent upgrade from my RS4125.

Side note: Try to avoid comments about Chinese/Italian build quality in comparison to the Japanese/Indians. Put simply, what Benelli does with China (imports manufacturing equipment and quality control from Germany but manufactures in China to keep it cheap) - the Japanese do the same thing for all of their learner bikes (imports manufacturing equipment and quality control from Japan but manufactures in India with Bajaj group to keep it cheap). So build quality and reliability are too iffy to make arguments about.

Thanks and let me know what you guys think - I'll post any more bikes I like/find here under this tag Lams4Life.

 

If you live north-side and commute to the city daily, I would seriously consider leaving the knobbies on it. The extra traction will make the ride through the middle of the road works and light-rail construction zones easier, as well as being perfect should you need to escape from Stalag Luft III.

 

I really dig the Leoncino, I think it's the best looking "modern scrambler" yet. Very seriously considering getting it as the daily and putting the Z on historic plates. I'm pretty sure it'll be learner legal. 35kw/170kg with the 90kg they allow for a rider puts the kw/tonne at 135.

I could be wrong about that 90kg they add for the rider though, if they don't allow for that, it wont be learner legal

 

I don't quite understand why you want to upgrade to another LAMS bike? Once you're off restrictions, it's open slather for whatever suits you best. Aren't you better off holding onto the cash until every bike is an option and choosing the best of a much larger field?

 

I have heard nothing but bad things about the build quality and reliability of Benellis. One had his in the shop more than on the road, and it was new.

 

While that is true Yedi, there are two things that make it different for me:

1. I don't want to get litre-desensitized on just my second bike - i really enjoy my 125, loved the feel of 300s, felt a bit taken away on my dad's 400. At the moment, I would prefer to slowly work up to bigger bikes, even this 500cc would be a big upgrade for me. I want to enjoy what all bikes have to offer, and the though of going from 0-100 in first gear in 3 seconds doesn't really interest me. Seems like it would be frustrating to ride in ACT... and
2. I'm 6 foot 2 and 65kg, so any bike feels a fair bit quicker for me than your average 90-100kg 20-something learner . I get that power-to-weight buff, but it means bikes usually feel about 50cc quicker than intended.

Sent from my LG-D855 using Tapatalk

 

Likewise, I've heard some awful stories about KTM 390s and recent 300cc Indian products from the Jap manufacturers.

I'll admit the Benellis are a slighly bigger risk than JapIndian bikes, but there is a two-year warranty vs the 1 year of the other manufacturers.

And the looks and exhaust note are pretty much it for me. I don't ever see myself riding a Kwaka or Honda sub-600cc, mostly because they're so underwhelming and common.

P.s. KTM is Austrian, but they are also Bajaj group manufactured (India).

Sent from my LG-D855 using Tapatalk

 

A fellow Leoncino desirer? Good on ya snab [emoji106]

I fell in love with just the looks, can't wait to see reviews on the bike.

Fingers crossed the LAMS listers don't count on 65kg scrawnies like me riding them

Sent from my LG-D855 using Tapatalk

 

Personally, I wouldn't bother with a second LAMS bike. There's a huge market of open class bikes once you're on your full licence. You'd be crazy not to at least try them out before making your mind up. I'm yet to meet anyone who tried a non-LAMS bike and decided they'd prefer a LAMS machine.

 

I went from a V-strom 650 to a Royal Enfield Bullet 500 and was happy as Larry. The Bullet put more smiles on my face despite it being a third of the power of the V-strom. Having said that, I would never go back to a 250. I wouldnt woz too much about the LAMS thing. A 50hp 170kg scram thing looks to be a barrel of laughs - thats plenty enough poke to have fun on. What matters is if it gives you the grins.

 

Fair enough. I just think you're 'cutting your nose off despite your face' by deliberately ruling out non-LAMS machines before you've even ridden them. Any bike, be it a litre superbike or a 125 scooter only goes as hard as the rider lets it. I've owned litre (and bigger) sportsbikes and little two-strokes and a couple in between and each bike has it's place and each bike can kill you just as easily as the next if you're not paying attention.

I test rode somewhere in the vicinity of 30 bikes once I got off my restrictions. Even those that I'd ruled out as too powerful or not practical enough for my purposes... Ended up with my first big-boy bike almost by accident when my GS500 needed a service and my loaner for the day was a 1000cc v-twin which I traded the GS for a couple days later

 

Isn't the V-strom 650 a LAMS bike? Ruling out non-LAMS bikes without even trying any still doesn't make much sense.

 

There's a LAMS version these days which is restricted, but my one was the full fat unrestricted one

 

Problem is LAMS bikes and the like are cheap bikes. So they are generally made from low quality parts, especially suspension and electrics so quality could always be an issue. Where its been built is much less of an issue than the fact they are cheap bikes that manufactures all cut corners on. Otherwise a LAMS bike would probably cost 85% of a full superbike or adventure bike which is obviously not sustainable.

How good is the local service for Benelli? Who works on em? Questions that can be important especially given their reputation.

Having said all that I'd have a look at another LAMs bike as a commuter. Especially if I had a roadbike that I actually cared about. But I'd only consider something that's under 300cc given ACT's STUPID rego system.

 

Does Motocentral still do Benelli?

 

Yeah Motocentral in Mitchell are the local dealer - I'll be checking out the Leoncino when it comes out and unless it turns out to be a turd I'll probably get it. 500cc 360 degree crank parra twin scram, sign me the fuck up!

 

Yes they do, funny enough that's where I bought my Rs4125 from and another reason I'm considering this bike (I refuse to give business to CMCC after the indifferent and not-give-a-damn way they treated me and my dad). I've found Don and the boys at MC much nicer to deal with and chat to.

Sent from my LG-D855 using Tapatalk

 

Kinda sounds like you've already made up your mind and just started a thread for a bit of positive reinforcement.

 

If it sounds like that I'm sorry. I just found myself excited by it - if it rides like trash then obviously I wouldn't buy it. I just wanted to share it in case another learner sees this bike and likes the look of it.

It's actually joined a list of about 4 other bikes that I'm considering for my next upgrade. A 200cc, 2 x 300cc bikes and a 690cc (I won't say what they are yet though).

I like having other people's opinions, I can disagree with and enjoy hearing other people's opinions - they aren't mutually exclusive.

Sent from my LG-D855 using Tapatalk

 

Also Yedi, you made a good point about not eliminating all possibilities - I'll be considering a 600-700cc bike as my upgrade too, but honestly that feels like it will be the limit of what I can handle.

That said though, I've read enough stories about how boring the LAMS restricted FZ6r is - going 0-100 in 7 secs on a 300 feels very different to doing it on a 1200. You can "feel" the difference, a bike seems much less fun for me when I can't push it to it's limits without going over the speed limit. I actually really like revving my little 125 out to redline when merging onto 80kmh roads up to 5th gear and then downshifting 2 or 3 times when tight turns come up. Little bikes are just as dangerous at same speeds yes, but they are also a lot more forgiving if something goes a little awry (wet weather in particular).

Thanks for your input though, I'll be sure to test all avenues and not "cut my nose off" so to speak.

Sent from my LG-D855 using Tapatalk