The Garelli Tiesse was a scooter made by the Chinese company Benzhou and rebadged by Nuova Garelli from 2008. It came with 50 cc two-stroke or four-stroke engines, later joined by a 125 cc four-stroke, and sales ended when the Italian company failed in 2012.
Garelli Tiesse at a glance
| Maker | Benzhou, China |
|---|---|
| Sold as | Garelli Tiesse by Nuova Garelli |
| On sale from | 2008 |
| Offered in | 2009–2010 |
| End of sales | 2012, with the failure of Nuova Garelli |
| Engines at launch | 50 cc two-stroke or four-stroke |
| Added in 2009 | 125 cc four-stroke |
| Versions | six, including Tiesse 50 R and Tiesse Four 50 4T |
| Most powerful | Tiesse 125 4T |
| Market | Europe |
The two sources differ slightly on the dates: the Italian article gives 2008 to 2012, the German one the 2009–2010 offer. No free photographs are available.
History of the Garelli Tiesse
A Chinese scooter with an Italian badge
The Tiesse was produced by the Chinese manufacturer Benzhou and sold under the Garelli name by Nuova Garelli from 2008. At first it was offered with a 50 cc engine in two-stroke or four-stroke form; from 2009 a 125 cc four-stroke version was added. Marketing ended with the bankruptcy of Nuova Garelli in 2012.
The range
The German article lists six variants offered in 2009 and 2010 for the European market, differing in weight, engine, colours and equipment. They included sporty two-strokes such as the Tiesse 50 R and economical four-strokes such as the Tiesse Four 50 4T; the Tiesse 125 4T, with its 125 cc engine, was the most powerful of the line.
Design and features
- Two engine families: two-stroke and four-stroke 50 cc units, with a 125 cc four-stroke added in 2009.
- Six variants: the range differed in weight, engine, colours and equipment.
- Sport and economy: from the Tiesse 50 R two-stroke to the four-stroke Tiesse Four 50 4T.
- Built in China: made by Benzhou and sold through the Italian Garelli organisation.
Garelli Tiesse versions
- Tiesse 50 R: sporty two-stroke 50 cc version.
- Tiesse Four 50 4T: economical four-stroke 50 cc version.
- Tiesse 125 4T: the most powerful version, with a 125 cc four-stroke engine.
- Other versions: six variants in all were offered in 2009–2010.
The Tiesse was one of the scooters of the revived Garelli, alongside the later Garelli Xò and the Garelli Capri 50. More machines are in the Garelli collection.
Video: Garelli Tiesse Four 50 4T
Video on YouTube.
Sources
- Garelli Tiesse, Italian Wikipedia: Benzhou origin, engines, end of sales
- Garelli Tiesse, German Wikipedia: versions and market
