The introduction of the 2010 250R Bennche Megelli the U.S. market Engine is a movement at least as provocative as their fat, red hot looks.
This bike made in China 249cc machine emulates a 7/8-scale Hypersport, and the operation is perhaps even more so in an area until now in the hands of Japanese and European manufacturers.
But while online sites have wondered if the 250R can be a "murderer Ninja 250," the man responsible for Bennche says he is not trying to compete with the Japanese.
At least not in all respects what it is.
Johnny Tai says his company Bennche Carrolton, Texas prices of their products is significantly lower than competitors more likely. However, the intention is clear, and the 250R Megelli can not be seen as more than a competitive bike entry level.
As one of the contenders to restore their bras still come from a country of 1.3 million people, about 27 million two-wheelers, it caused a more appropriate question: Will we soon be a new chapter in the motorcycle?
At this time, others wonder if it's a fair question, because the 250R is the market focus on the "European" design and attempts to distance itself from China. It can be done, because technically, is a creation of English.
The 250R is basically a bored and stroked version of the other almost identical Megelli 125R, which is not imported into the U.S.
Megelli conceptualized and engine engineers north of London, Lincoln, UK. It is said that the brain trust UK / Europe based on the technology and services are designed and created products completed within three years.
The 250R is primarily the task of consumers in the U.S., and is manufactured according to specifications Megelli in Chongqing, China Chongqing Huansong Industrial Co., Ltd. (also known as Hsun).
The unlisted company Hsun has significant assets, the more than 2,500 employees, and the potential to produce 1.1 million motorcycles per year. It is said that a good working relationship with the industries of the Japanese company Fuji Heavy, and European and American companies, including Wal-Mart.
Megelli The 250R is the first of the three four-stroke 250cc, single cylinder street bikes are imported into the U.S. by Bennche, who just sold his first edition production of 100 units, and projects of 3000 units sold in 2010 and 6000 units for 2011.
While Megelli 250R is distributed in the U.S. Bennche under the name, is also sold in Iran, with more countries expected to come online next year.
Astute readers 250R and 250R recognize the Qlink Megelli 2009. But if you are wondering why the bike never been evaluated, because it was never imported or sold here.
New Kid In Town
To motivate Megelli 250R is a liquid-cooled, carbureted engine. Bore and stroke 53.6mm x 77mm now - in the square and more aggressive than the 125 version - with a fixed compression ratio of 11.5:1.
In contrast, the 125R Megelli cooled engine 56.5mm x 49.5mm air is, use a 10:1 compression ratio and comes from the Taiwanese manufacturer Sym.
The 250R, the engine is made by Hsun, and is considered strong by Chinese standards. It is not known to the engines of power, but says Tai Hsun extensively tested on the tapes that induce stress and the asses driven R & D at least 10,000 km (6,200 miles) before production.
Estimated crank hp 27; other leaves RWD production to peak at 16.2 hp and 17.8 ft-lbs of torque. It was run on a test ourselves in time for this message. Redline is 10,000 rpm, and runs through the traditional six-speed transmission and wet clutch.
The bike claimed dry weight is 248 pounds and feels wet weight somewhere around 275 to 295 pounds, amounting to a respectable power to weight.
Using a clean frame welded tubular steel trellis and a single T6 aluminum swingarm. Wheelbase is 53.5 inches and seat height is 31.5 cm.
The disc brakes are driven by single-wrapped stylized lines braided steel. In front is a 300 mm rotor is gripped by a twin-piston caliper and the rear is 238 mm, with a single piston caliper.
The front Chen Shin (CST) 100/70-17 49H Magsport tires and the rear is a 130/70-17 62H Magsport.
The suspension consists of a non-adjustable telescopic front fork and rear shock absorber adjustable in spring preload.
Fuel capacity is 3 liters and 41.9 miles per gallon we saw a mix of barrel riding, and more docile in city and highway use.
Look at me!
The outgoing 250R was written for maximum visual appeal, and looks like a conglomerate of design elements studied some of the most successful sports bikes of the last decade.
Looking down and leaned on her wasp-like facade is a Yamaha R1 to see. From other angles evokes thoughts of a Ducati 916, but without the single-sided swingarm. Welded tubular frame reminded us MV Agusta.
"The Megelli gets a home run with its contemporary design, style Euro," Ed-in-Cheese Kevin Duke with enthusiasm. "The frame and swingarm could almost pass for an MV Agusta or Benelli cut rate."
From every angle, the bike is strong, and its presence is more aggressive than would normally Japanese OEM performance of the bike.
Driving in the city, strong, and CBR-style barking exhaust in the tail, and the arrest-me red call back the heads of people in cars around us, and sidewalks.
It is unfortunate that all these plastics pretty fragile.
We discovered this when the bike was sent to us to lose in a drawer so that the pressure of your weight on your belly fairing broken links and sank a number of plastic.
A 250R before had accidentally broken his lower fairing with apparent ease and more serious than we think a Japanese bike would do.
When we kept our test bike together, however, began to redeem himself by handling and, at least on smooth pavement.
And if the speedometer is correct or not, we went to a designated 94 mph, with perhaps a notch. At speed, the chassis 250R followed right, without shaking or trembling, and certainly handle more power.
The suspension does not rebound, and is on the stiff side, though. Lower superslab, you just bounce off the saddle riders across hard times.
According to Tai, the springs were selected for the U.S. pilots said Hsun can reach 200 to 300 pounds. Used to have the bike very smooth, he says, designed for the Asian market, on average about 150 pounds.
Given the lack of values, perhaps exaggerated? If this of us, we will seek new sources, and revised fork oil, but a new multi-adjustable front and rear shock modification.
We say this because the engine is convincing. Low-end torque Drum was respectable, and while the gearbox was notchy-in continuous and imprecise - it offers a kind of fun that you can not experience in a larger sport bike without asking if the police see you
The Pilot-like Megelli Ergos and good handling made us wonder how much fun you can have on the steep narrow tracks as they were elected in pilots adapt to 6 meters high, without complaint, and have to work for some drivers too long. The bands unknown to us are never disappointed, and the 250R has a new fan Megelli staff in MO.
"The rounded corners like a motorcycle track Bennche 125 GP!" Pete raves, "is the response of light steering and neutral handling. I thought immediately of my time aboard the Aprilia RS125 and Honda Moriwaki MD250 in our comparison of these two sprites."
But before the conclusion, we believe that Pete impressions were mixed, and we will document some of the factors to worry.
The side stand - usually a harmless accessory - in this case, Excel and a few inches ahead of time pounding the pavement in a chassis otherwise small and maneuverable.
Kevin learned the sidestand does not deliver when it began to take the wheels off the road in mid-corner to a slight left-handed. Just for the camera, and caught in a dance Megelli bulging and hit a low wall, and if possible an almost vertical hill in the canyon, but with grace - saved - or fortunately.
"Bend the right space is excellent as a real sport bike should be," says Duke. "But more to the left flop, and is on the side of the foot on the ground to dig a shallow angle, perhaps only 30 degrees. Worst of all, the state fell far not enough even to landscape conditions arriving. A good manufacturer can improve the design with only one or two hours of retouching. "
"Kevin taught the sidestand does not deliver when the wheels began to take the road in the middle of the corner ..."
Pilots also complained about the front of Megelli. Their rigid lines offer lever feel solid, but Kevin said: "Strength is more than enough."
Because the pads began to bed, improved brakes, and it shows in our test bike came prepared with a bent front rotor, which has nothing to do positive impressions.
This bike also comes with all fat tombstone seen in the steering head and swingarm pivot points. Assuming that the bearings have ended differently, may have a valuable function enables maintenance without a tear seam side down.
Features that were not welcome a tachometer all-but-useless bounced more than a few thousand revolutions per minute, enough mirrors and a license from the back plate / turn signal bracket, trembling like a leaf in the wind.
The bicycle of two 55-watt halogen lights H1, while appropriate, are made to look like projector lamps. Their standard spade connectors to lose control when they are removed, and a beam connector had melted insulation. They had to be tight with pliers to continue.
Maneuver the bike parking lot speeds, the upper cup mean something to supply the right index finger in the full steering lock, if you're not careful
Report Card
As a parent waving a bumper sticker that read: "All our kids are honor students," we will classify this as a bike delivered on a curve.
The 250R was rushed to a term, and besides having been committed in the bathtub of traffic and a warped disc, hindered our tests with a maladjusted carburetor that was driving the bike and make regular stop.
Our bike also showed decanting excess gas bearings, steering head, and non-functional fuel tank vent hose that forced us to drive with the fill hole.
Typically, a merchant to correct these problems before a bicycle to a consumer. Megelli the series has a 18 months unlimited mileage warranty.
Bennche dealer network is small, but growing, Tai says he will seek distributors that focus on customer service.
When talking to Tai, said the design of the side stand, the braking force and plastics will be reviewed soon, and were considered as a wall at the factory level. If so, it would gradually reduce our own little list, but will the jury still out.
What we're saying is - only in the inherent flaws and not the wall - we think around $ 3399, the 250R shows enough promise that one day, the established manufacturers may have to look over their shoulders collective.
We have no doubt Bennche desire to succeed. The marketing copy, and people say the right things about the fact that consumer-focused, and we thanked our early response.
We will also point out that decades ago, Honda was looking for cheap junk established players for a while, and not taking his first world is not.
Today, the growth curve in the direction of parity, only a fraction of the time for Chinese manufacturers, if you really adapt and respond to the expectations of American consumers.
As it is, Megelli 250R is a good attempt in the first place, and Bennche showing confidence in an attempt to an unknown motor to start in this economy.
We'll be curious to see how the interest rate on long-term and short term - even Bennche says that does not officially compete with the Japanese - the plan to face off against each Megelli 250R Ninja 250R.
