The Megelli 125 was the first model range of a small British maker that showed its motorcycles at the Milan EICMA show in November 2007. Three versions shared one 125 cc, 11 kW (15 bhp) four-stroke engine, an under-seat exhaust and the same frame: the fully faired 125R, the supermoto-styled 125M Motard and the naked 125S.
Megelli 125 at a glance
| Maker | Megelli Motorcycles, United Kingdom |
|---|---|
| First shown | Milan EICMA, November 2007 |
| Production | 2007–2013 |
| Engine | 125 cc four-stroke, 11 kW (15 bhp) |
| Engine supplier | SYM, Taiwan |
| Versions | 125R, 125M Motard, 125S Naked |
| Wheelbase | 1,349.6 mm (125R, 125S); 1,400 mm (125M) |
| Seat height | 800 mm (125R, 125S); 860 mm (125M) |
| Exhaust | under-seat |
| Final assembly | China |
Based on one source: the English Wikipedia article on Megelli Motorcycles, which has no separate pages for the 125 models.
History of the Megelli 125
A British design, built in China
The company was founded by Barry Hall, managing director of Sports and Leisure Direct UK Ltd, who had previously specialised in off-road Aeon all-terrain vehicles, mini bikes and pit bikes. The first design sketches for the launch models were produced in July 2005, test production began in September 2007 and by December 2007 the range was on sale worldwide. The motorcycles were designed and engineered in the UK with custom tooling for most components, about 75 per cent of them supplied by Taiwanese companies: the engines with ceramic-coated cylinders came from SYM, the instruments from KOSO, and the main frame, swingarm, subframe and engine cradle were made in Taiwan as well. Final assembly took place in China, and the manufacturing agreement with Huansong Industries ended on 31 December 2013.
One engine, three styles
The 125 cc range was built around a single four-stroke engine of 11 kW (15 bhp), with the exhaust tucked under the seat and one common frame. The racing-styled 125R was fully faired with a split twin headlamp assembly, a seat height of 800 mm and a wheelbase of 1,349.6 mm. The 125M Motard was a supermoto-styled road bike with a longer wheelbase of 1,400 mm and a higher seat of 860 mm, the result of longer suspension and shocks. The Naked 125S was almost identical to the 125R but had significantly fewer aero parts and a single front headlight, with the same 800 mm seat and 1,349.6 mm wheelbase.
Design and features
- Shared platform: the same 125 cc four-stroke, under-seat exhaust and frame in all three versions.
- British design, global parts: styled and engineered in the UK, roughly 75 per cent of components from Taiwan, final assembly in China.
- Three riding positions: racing fairing on the 125R, supermoto stance on the 125M, a single headlight and less bodywork on the 125S.
- SYM engine: a four-stroke single with ceramic-coated cylinder, supplied from Taiwan.
Megelli 125 versions
- 125R: full fairing with a split twin headlamp, 800 mm seat, 1,349.6 mm wheelbase.
- 125M Motard: supermoto styling, 860 mm seat, 1,400 mm wheelbase, longer suspension.
- 125S Naked: the 125R without most of the bodywork, with a single front headlight.
- 250 range: a later 250M, 250R and 250S with a longer-stroke engine of around 26 hp.
The Megelli 125 was the model that started the range; the later 250 versions followed the same three-style idea. More motorcycles are in the Megelli collection.
Video: Megelli 125 R Top Speed
Video on YouTube.
Sources
- Megelli Motorcycles, English Wikipedia: history, production, model range, specifications