Bennche Megelli 250R - Reviews and information?

**steelphoenix** · 17th March 2011, 17:09

@tigertim20 - Parts and servicing was one of my concerns; the mechanical soundness of the bike is very important to me, given I'll be using this as my primary transport; my poor old Ford Festiva is on her last legs and I'd really like to preserve her for as long as possible. I'm going to be popping in to my local Honda dealer and looking at a few of their used models - I may even consider forking out for the new CBR250-yaRRRRRRR ('cos it's pretty and reliable).

@Gatch - Yeah, I think 11HP loss is a bit excessive. I have a suspicion that the 27HP is possibly overestimated...

@Boss260A - Yes, I did notice that the gear lever was a bit stiff, but it didn't really bother me. The brake lever was OK for me, maybe a slightly different riding position? It's a fantastic looking, sounding machine (hence why I'm drooling over it

), but I want to know about mechanical soundness before I drop $6k on it...

@lostinflyz - Yeah, a tasty-looking little bike, and very light and manoeverable. I had a ball with it, scooting through traffic up the motorway. Probably would be a good racer, but I'm not going to be racing...

**boss260a** · 19th March 2011, 07:05

Well Colemans called me on Thursday and told me that they had made a few changes to the Magelli and asked me if I wanted to take it for another spin. So I had it Thursday night and took it to work on Friday for a test ride, after all that is what I would be buying it for. And after the few little changes they have made, this bike is great! All they did was change the gear box oil and lube up all the linkages, adjust the rear brake lever, fix the side stand issue.
It goes thru the gears real nice now. It feels real nice to ride, really smooth and stable. I let my friend have a ride and he completly aggrees and even thinks it has more torque than his 2010 Ninja 250! He said it felt like riding one of his old mans Ducati's!
On the motorway it easy sits on about 105kph at about 6500rpm in top gear and its just chugging along nicely, even giving the thottle a twist will see ya pick up speed without the need of changing down.
To tell the truth its really getting hard for me to fault this bike, its awesome to look at, the riding position is really nice, the bike feels smooth and positive and feels like it would really like going around corners! Probably the only thing I would be a little concerned over would be the quality of the electrics, but only time would tell there.
I enquired about the parts, and Triumph is the importer of these bikes and have enough parts in stock to build a complete bike and the more bikes they sell the more parts they will stock.
And to get things straight, this is a UK designed bike, built in the Benelli factory in China! So its not as "new" as everyone seems to think, the benelli factory puts out over a million motorcycles a year. After all, Most Audi's and VW's are built in china these days but no one would call them chinese cars would they??

**jasonu** · 21st March 2011, 04:50

Originally Posted by gatch

"it being underpowered - crankshaft output 27HP, rear-wheel output 16.2HP".

Is it considered normal to lose 11hp through your drive train ? That's a fair bit..

No, that is a big loss. I would expect to loose maybe 3-5%, but 30% loss sounds like the specs are wrong.

Originally Posted by steelphoenix

Hi everyone -

I'm a 3mth Learner rider, and whilst I'm desperately trying to hold off buying a bike (being a poor recent-student and whatnot), I've been sorely tempted by this pretty specimen of a machine that I saw in Coleman's.

I took it for a test ride, and really enjoyed it. Light, maneuverable, does corners on rails, and a real head-turner wow factor with gorgeous looks and bellowy little pipe.

My only question is - is it a good buy? As a new-in-2010 model, obviously it hasn't had much testing and exposure, but any input would be appreciated.

The reviews I've been reading/watching mainly complain about:

the sidestand being set too low (Colemans fixed this on the demo bike and said they'd do that on any one they sold)
it being underpowered - crankshaft output 27HP, rear-wheel output 16.2HP (not sure this is an issue - I hit 120 on the mway with ease, and a top speed of apx 140)
handlebars putting the horn on/pinching fingers at lock (not on the demo I rode, and Colemans again said if this was a concern they'd fix it)
headlight bulbs getting too hot (possible concern, but fixable)
possible brittleness of fairing plastic (possible concern)

As I said, I'm aware that there's little material at the moment, but any advice would be appreciated by this n00b.

Spec sheet from Bennche
Spec sheet from Motorcycle.com

The 'brittle fairing' thing will really screw you. You will get good service from Colemans re this issue during the warrenty period but after that you can't expect them to indefinitely supply replacements. In a couple or three years when you go to sell it, the broken/cracked fairings will really hurt your resale price even if the rest of the bike holds up OK.
If I were you I would ask Alan to show you the newest TWIN (or more) CYLINDER Jap bikes they have in your price range. You will then have something that is proven, reliable, serviceable most anywhere, parts mostly available, and most importantly RESELLABLE in a few years when you want more bang.
I look forward to hearing about what you end up buying.

**boss260a** · 23rd March 2011, 08:48

At the end of the day its how you look after the bike will determin how long it lasts, Even a top of the line Jap bike or Ducati will only last 10 - 15k if its not looked after very well.
As for the plastic's I cant see this being much a problem unless you plan on dropping or falling off your bike on a regular basis? And even if you do the replacement panal's are alot cheaper than Jap oem panals! It will be cheaper to buy a new panal for the Magelli where as with a Jap bike alot of people have to get their fairing plastic welded and painted cause it works out cheaper than OEM. I have just brought one of these Magelli's, pick it up tomorrow so I will let ya know how it goes.
As im buying it as a comuter to get me to work and back every day and probably wont be doing much open road riding on it, I dont see the Hp being an issue, Torque is more useful for me and this definatly feels like it has more torque than the Ninja 250!
Alot of people just seem to focus on the negatives, a few of the positives that I found include things like the Build quality, the welding on the frame and swimgarm is top notch! alot nicer finish than my RGV. The Magelli has stock Braided brake lines, scalloped alloy brackets and a shift light, you dont find that sort of finish stock on most japper's!
At the end of the day sure the Ninja might be slightly more refined and have slighty more HP which gives it probably about 10 - 15kph more top end, but to me there is no way that the Ninja is $2400 better than the Magelli. So for me the Magelli is far better value for money.

**CookMySock** · 23rd March 2011, 11:11

Originally Posted by steelphoenix

I want to know about mechanical soundness before I drop $6k on it...

Better take a look at it's resale value in 18 months time, and ask yourself how much money you are prepared to flush down the loo.

**steelphoenix** · 24th March 2011, 20:25

Well, I think I found a better bike for cheaper, like people have suggested - when I decide which one to get!

There's the pocket-rocket CBR250RR, and the fun-but-kinda-sensible VTR 250 (yes, yes, Hondas, I like them, so sue me). Both for $5000, both in very good nick.

Decisions, decisions...

**jasonu** · 25th March 2011, 08:19

Originally Posted by steelphoenix

Well, I think I found a better bike for cheaper, like people have suggested - when I decide which one to get!

There's the pocket-rocket CBR250RR, and the fun-but-kinda-sensible VTR 250 (yes, yes, Hondas, I like them, so sue me). Both for $5000, both in very good nick.

Decisions, decisions...

Both will hold their value better than the wopsicle. Also, buying a good used bike means you don't take the 'new vehicle' devaluation as soon as you ride it out of the shop. I hope these Hondas are coming from Alan at Colemans, a good guy who won't put you wrong.

**CookMySock** · 25th March 2011, 08:32

5k is just a wee bit steep for either of those bikes IMO, unless they are super-low km's, and they wont be.

**steelphoenix** · 25th March 2011, 09:50

Originally Posted by jasonu

Both will hold their value better than the wopsicle. Also, buying a good used bike means you don't take the 'new vehicle' devaluation as soon as you ride it out of the shop. I hope these Hondas are coming from Alan at Colemans, a good guy who won't put you wrong.

The VTR is from Colemans, the CBR is from Botany Honda. Both reputable dealers, and I'm sure they'll stand behind their bikes with a warranty and so on.

Originally Posted by DangerousBastard

5k is just a wee bit steep for either of those bikes IMO, unless they are super-low km's, and they wont be.

It's dealer prices, unfortunately, but I will be seeing if they can be talked down a bit.
Most of the CBRs I've seen being privately advertised (Motorcycle Trader, TradeMe, classifieds, etc) are somewhere between 4k-5k. It's a 1990, one of the MC-22s, and it's in very good nick, and has 22k on the clock, so I think it's a decent price, though yes, a bit on the high side.

**jasonu** · 25th March 2011, 12:04

Originally Posted by steelphoenix

The VTR is from Colemans, the CBR is from Botany Honda. Both reputable dealers, and I'm sure they'll stand behind their bikes with a warranty and so on.

It's dealer prices, unfortunately, but I will be seeing if they can be talked down a bit.
Most of the CBRs I've seen being privately advertised (Motorcycle Trader, TradeMe, classifieds, etc) are somewhere between 4k-5k. It's a 1990, one of the MC-22s, and it's in very good nick, and has 22k on the clock, so I think it's a decent price, though yes, a bit on the high side.

$5k for a 21 yr old bike? Sounds like a lot to me but I've been out of the country for 12 years...
Mind you, if that is the going rate then so be it. I bet the wopsicle you looked at won't be worth anywhere near $5k in 2032

**boss260a** · 25th March 2011, 12:39

Originally Posted by jasonu

$5k for a 21 yr old bike? Sounds like a lot to me but I've been out of the country for 12 years...
Mind you, if that is the going rate then so be it. I bet the wopsicle you looked at won't be worth anywhere near $5k in 2032

Just wondering mate, have you even seen this bike that your knocking in person, or taken it for a ride? Or are you just summing this bike up as crap cause its assembled in china?

**CookMySock** · 25th March 2011, 21:15

Originally Posted by steelphoenix

It's a 1990, one of the MC-22s, and it's in very good nick, and has 22k on the clock, so I think it's a decent price, though yes, a bit on the high side.

Maybe that will be ok then. Gawd help you if you drop it or have an engine problem.

**steelphoenix** · 25th March 2011, 22:48

Originally Posted by DangerousBastard

Maybe that will be ok then. Gawd help you if you drop it or have an engine problem.

Yeah, I know...

But them's the breaks with an older bike, and I'm prepared to take those risks (definitely not intending on dropping it... those fairings would be hell to replace, given they're originals).

@Boss260 - Keep us posted on the Megelli's performance, would you? I'd be interested in knowing how they stack up.