The Big Car Database

Megelli Motorcycles

Megelli Motorcycles is a British motorcycle manufacturer, which made its debut at the Milan EICMA exhibition in November 2007. 

Megelli motorcycles was founded by the Managing Director of Sports and Leisure Direct UK Ltd, Barry Hall, who previously specialised in off road Aeon all-terrain vehicles, Mini bikes and Pit bikes. The Megelli range is currently sold in 37 countries in Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa, North America and South America.

Megelli's manufacturing agreement with Huansong Industries (group) Co Limited Hsun ended on 31 December 2013. All production of Megelli motorcycles stopped on this day. Megelli's page states that Hsun will continue carrying supplying parts to distributors around the world.

Type

Private
Founded 2004
Headquarters North Hykeham, Lincoln,United Kingdom

Key people

Barry Hall, Simon Brown
Products Motorcycles
Website Megelli.com

BRIEF HISTORY

2006 Current off-road products were having a shorter life span within the market place, mainly due to Asian copies. We soon realized that we needed new exciting on-road products, which couldn't be copied easily.
 
PDQ Get the price, design and quality right and you have a winning formula.
 
A creative company with knowledge and experience of the industry was crucial to fulfilling our requirements. A team who believed in our goals, and understood our concept of the final product was selected from the leading European motorcycle designers.  Cutting edge C.A.D. technology was used to transfer the original design data into computerized virtual design, breathing new life into the process.  The end result could be viewed and analyzed, ensuring compliance with the strict design and engineering criteria, prior to any physical part being produced.   
 
Key structural components, including frame, sub-frame, swing arm, out-riggers and wheels, were subjected to F.E.A (Finite Element Analysis) ensuring long-term performance and durability.
 
Branding was the next step. We needed a name that reflected the product. Around the dinner table that night, my partner explained that she had jokingly been called McGilli because of her surname, and over the next few weeks we eventually changed it to Megelli. Checking the name out on the Internet there were only five results all relating to a small village in Italy, perfect!
 
2007 My Taiwanese business partner brought together manufacturing companies in China to produce tooling for our Motorcycles. 
 
2007 September, gained Type approval, 
October, achieved DOT approval.
 
October, production of Megelli Motard 125M
November, Product launch Milan EICMA show, 
 
2008 March, product launch Canton Fair China.
May Homologation with SYM engines
September production Megelli  Naked 125S & Megelli Sport 125R 
September ADR approval (Australia)
 
2009 CE approval Motard 250M, Naked 250S and Sport 250R models
June Homologation with 250cc engines
 
2010 EPA approval USA
Megelli had grown into a global brand, which is a credit to our loyal distributors and end users. Like the designs, the demand was strong.
We needed a stronger partner; this was to prove the greatest challenge.
 
2012 Restyling of Megelli Naked S and Sport R models to incorporate larger airbox, fuel injection and packaging of components.
 
2013 Still looking for the right partner.
 
2014 Megelli distribution partner in Malaysia, were stronger and more experienced in producing motorcycles, so the decision to transfer ownership was made, creating a stronger future for Megelli Motorcycles.
 
2015 Forming of new Megelli global distribution company, Megelli Limited.

Development

Barry Hall's access to specialist 'virtual' motorcycle design centres and established UK vehicle production and engineering facilities enabled the company to progress from the initial vision to production of motorcycles in three years. The original design sketches for the launch models were produced in July 2005 and test production began in September 2007. By December 2007 the range was on sale worldwide. Megelli Motorcycles are designed and engineered in the UK using custom tooling for the majority of components, with final assembly in China. Approximately 75% of the components are from Taiwanese companies. This includes the engines with high specification ceramic coated cylinders from SYM, and KOSO instruments panel. The main frame, swingarm, sub frame and engine cradle, and all forged components are also from Taiwanese companies.

Model range

125 cc

There are three 125 cc bikes in the Megelli motorcycle range, all featuring the same 125 cc, 11 kW (15 bhp), four-stroke engine, under seat exhaust and frame. Available models are 125R, 125M and 125S.

The 125M Motard is a supermoto-styled road bike. It has a seat height of 860 mm (34 in) and a wheelbase of 1,400 mm (55 in), longer and higher than either of the two others, due to the length of the suspension and shocks.

Then there is the racing-styled 125R, full faired with a split twin headlamp assembly. Seat height: 800 mm (31 in). Wheelbase: 1,349.6 mm (53.13 in).

Finally, the Naked 125S version is almost identical to the 125R, albeit with significantly less aero parts and a single front headlight assembly. Seat height: 800 mm (31 in). Wheelbase: 1,349.6 mm (53.13 in).

250 cc

Megelli has finished working on a 250 cc engine for the American, Asia and Australian markets. The bore and stroke were increased from 56.5 mm × 49.5 mm (2.22 in × 1.95 in) to 65.5 mm × 68 mm (2.58 in × 2.68 in). Keeping the single-cylinder four-stroke design, horsepower was increased from 11 hp to around 26 hp. Weight was increased from 110 to 112.5 kg (243 to 248 lb). Like the 125 cc bikes, the 250 is available in the same three configurations: 250M, 250R and 250S.

Specification

All three 250 cc models share the same four-stroke single cylinder engine with a compression of 10:1, DENI carburettor and CDI ignition. Drive is via a six-speed gearbox and it has electric start and disc brakes. The bike features a 4-valve OHC 26 HP single cylinder engine, an aluminium multi twin spar trellis frame and T6 aluminium trellis swing-arm. The suspension consists of a telescopic front fork with aluminium dropouts and a mono pre-load adjustable rear suspension.