Megelli Motorcycles was a British manufacturer that showed its first bikes at the Milan EICMA exhibition in November 2007. The range of 125 and 250 cc single-cylinder machines was designed and engineered in the United Kingdom, assembled in China and sold in 37 countries.
Megelli at a glance
| Maker | Megelli Motorcycles, United Kingdom |
|---|---|
| Founder | Barry Hall |
| Debut | Milan EICMA, November 2007 |
| Design and engineering | United Kingdom |
| Final assembly | China, Huansong Industries |
| Parts | about 75% from Taiwanese companies |
| Engines | SYM, ceramic-coated cylinders |
| 125 cc output | 11 kW (15 bhp) |
| 250 cc output | about 26 hp |
| Frame | aluminium twin-spar trellis |
| Gearbox | six-speed |
| Markets | 37 countries on five continents |
Based on one source, the English Wikipedia article on Megelli Motorcycles. Bennche was a distributor of Megelli machines in the United States.
History of the Megelli
Megelli was founded by Barry Hall, managing director of Sports and Leisure Direct UK Ltd, a company that had specialised in off-road Aeon all-terrain vehicles, mini bikes and pit bikes. Access to specialist virtual design centres and established British vehicle engineering facilities let the project move from the first vision to production in three years. The original design sketches for the launch models were drawn in July 2005, test production began in September 2007, and by December 2007 the range was on sale worldwide.
The bikes were designed and engineered in Britain using custom tooling for most components, with final assembly in China. Roughly 75% of the parts came from Taiwanese companies, including the engines with high-specification ceramic-coated cylinders from SYM and the KOSO instrument panel. The main frame, swingarm, subframe and engine cradle, and all forged components, also came from Taiwan.
The range was built around one 125 cc four-stroke single of 11 kW (15 bhp), with an underslung exhaust and a common frame, offered in three body styles: the fully faired 125R, the supermoto-styled 125M Motard and the naked 125S. A 250 cc engine was developed for the American, Asian and Australian markets by enlarging the bore and stroke from 56.5 x 49.5 mm to 65.5 x 68 mm; the single still made about 26 hp and the weight rose from 110 to 112.5 kg. The 250 was sold in the same three configurations, 250R, 250M and 250S. Megelli’s manufacturing agreement with Huansong Industries ended on 31 December 2013.
Design and features
- British design, Chinese assembly: styling and engineering in the UK, final build in China with mostly Taiwanese components.
- One engine, three styles: the same 125 cc single in faired R, motard M and naked S form.
- Chassis: aluminium multi twin-spar trellis frame and T6 aluminium trellis swingarm.
- Equipment: six-speed gearbox, electric start, disc brakes, DENI carburettor and CDI ignition.
- Suspension: telescopic front fork with aluminium dropouts and a preload-adjustable rear monoshock.
Megelli versions
- 125R: racing-styled, fully faired with a split twin headlamp; seat height 800 mm, wheelbase 1,349.6 mm.
- 125M Motard: supermoto-styled road bike; seat height 860 mm and wheelbase 1,400 mm thanks to longer suspension.
- 125S: naked version of the 125R with a single front headlamp and less bodywork.
- 250R, 250M and 250S: the 26 hp 250 cc range in the same three configurations.
More British and European light motorcycles are collected in the Bennche section of the site.
Video: 2010 Bennche Megelli 250R Motorcycle Review
Video on YouTube.
Sources
- Megelli Motorcycles, English Wikipedia: history, design, models, specifications