The Benelli Leoncino 500 is one of the most stylish motorcycles on the market today. With its "Lion of Pesaro" ornament on the front fender and its neo-retro scrambler looks, it turns heads wherever it goes.

However, no bike is perfect straight out of the factory. Whether you want to make your ride more comfortable for long trips, protect the engine from damage, or simply make it look cooler, modifications are the answer.

This guide covers the best accessories and modifications to help you get the most out of your Leoncino 500.

1. Protection: Safety First

Before you make the bike look pretty, you need to make sure it is safe. Parts for Italian-designed bikes can be expensive, so prevention is better than cure.

• Crash Guards/Engine Bars: This is the most important accessory. Since the Leoncino is a naked bike, a simple tip-over can damage the engine casing. Look for "frame sliders" for a sleek look, or full metal "crash cages" for maximum protection.
• Radiator Grille Guard: The radiator on the Leoncino is large and sits right behind the front wheel. This makes it an easy target for flying stones and debris. A metal mesh guard will protect the cooling fins without blocking airflow.
• Bash Plate (Sump Guard): If you plan to take your Leoncino off-road (it is a scrambler, after all), you need a bash plate. This metal plate goes under the engine to protect the oil sump from rocks and speed bumps.

2. Comfort and Ergonomics

The Leoncino is great for city riding, but if you want to tour on the highway, you might want to tweak the comfort levels.

• Windscreen / Fly Screen: Being a naked motorcycle, the wind blast hits your chest directly at high speeds. Installing a small fly screen or a taller windscreen helps deflect the air over your helmet, reducing fatigue on long rides.
• Handlebar Risers: Some riders feel they lean forward a bit too much. Handlebar risers lift the bars up by an inch or two, giving you a more upright, relaxed sitting posture.
• Seat Cushioning: The stock seat is stylish but can feel hard after an hour. You can either buy a gel seat pad to strap on top or take the seat to a custom upholstery shop to add softer foam and a custom leather cover.

3. Luggage Solutions

The Leoncino 500 has a short tail section, which makes carrying luggage tricky. Here is how to fix that.

• Rear Rack: A metal rear carrier is essential if you want to mount a top box or strap down a duffel bag. This is a must-have for touring.
• Saddlebag Stays: Because the exhaust is positioned high on the side, you need specific metal brackets (stays) to keep soft saddlebags from burning on the muffler or touching the rear tire.
• Tank Bag: For daily commuting, a magnetic tank bag is perfect for holding your wallet, phone, and gloves.

4. Performance and Sound

The 500cc parallel-twin engine sounds good, but many riders want it to sound great.

• Aftermarket Exhaust (Slip-On): Replacing the stock muffler with a slip-on exhaust (like Arrow, SC Project, or Ixil) reduces the weight of the bike and unleashes a deeper, grumbly exhaust note. Note: Always check your local noise pollution laws before changing the exhaust.
• Air Filter: Upgrading to a high-performance air filter (like K&N or DNA) allows the engine to breathe better. It won't give you massive horsepower, but it makes the throttle response feel smoother.

5. Aesthetics and Style

Finally, let's make the bike look unique to you.

• Bar-End Mirrors: The stock mirrors are functional but look a bit like "Mickey Mouse" ears. Bar-end mirrors give the bike a lower, sleeker profile and often provide a better view of the road behind you.
• Tail Tidy: The rear number plate holder on the stock bike is quite long and bulky. A "tail tidy" kit removes the plastic bulk and tucks the license plate closer to the rear light for a clean, sporty look.
• Auxiliary Lights (Fog Lights): The headlight on the Leoncino is decent, but for night riding on highways, extra LED fog lights mounted on the crash guards will light up the road much better.

Summary

Modifying your Benelli Leoncino 500 is a journey. You don't have to buy everything at once. Start with protection (crash guards), move to comfort (windscreen), and then finish with style (mirrors and exhaust).