Bennche MotorCycles... A NEW 250...

[cnichols79us]

http://www.bennche.com/product/Megelli_250r.htm

Anyone heard of these before?????

[pathfinder]

Yup, there was a news last month about their introduction. At least one blogger called it the ninja-killer <rolls eyes>

Texas-based distributor ready to make a splash
http://www.motorcycle.com/news/intro...che-89291.html

Has the Ninja killer arrived?
http://blog.motorcycle.com/2010/02/1...-megelli-250r/

[cnichols79us]

Thanks for the links Pathfinder. Don't see HOW it could be a Ninja Killer being it is a Single Cylinder 250cc engine... other than it may be lighter and even more flickable.

[250rStar]

that bike acctually looks pretty sick ninja killer tho i don't think so

[Mo1981]

Yeah, I think I've seen this before. I doubt it's gonna be a ninja-killer, but it's got the ninjette dead to rights in the looks dept...
Posted via Mobile Device

[09black250]

omg 248 pounds though!!! Whats the ninjette 380? that's a hell of a lot lighter for the same horsepower rating.

[Betlog]

That bike looks like a mini CBR600RR. It's beautiful. I wish Honda made a 250. They need to bring the CBR250RR back. I bet they'd sell a lot of those. At the moment, Kawi really does not have competition, so they jack up the price every year.

[cnichols79us]

Wish I could get MORE specs off the website. 27HP, light as HELL, looks GOOD. Priced great also. The only thng I can think of right of the bat is the single cylinder 250cc engines I have experience with play more to the torq side and don't rev like the twin in the Ninja. I have a feeling a may be more looks, less performance, Especially at that price point....

[Sailariel]

Kawasaki should take this bike seriously. 27Hp @ 280Lbs is a rocket in my book. RPM is nice, as is flickability. A single that strong would give a Ninja a hard time. Singles handle much differently in the twisties than a twin or a four. Remember the Norton Manx and the Matchless G-50--you could flick those bikes into a turn at full bore and the bike would love it. Kawa needs to brace itself for some competition.

[tristatejames]

I would worry that these Chineese manufacturers go out of business or change part lines making a small repair impossible.

[Daeldren]

If these specs are right then the manufacturer upped the performance because when Qlink last had their megelli 250r site up before it was only putting out like 16 hp with a 5-speed tranny. If these new specs are correct then this could be some serious comp for the ninja, however Im still dubious.

[Sailariel]

Originally Posted by tristatejames

I would worry that these Chineese manufacturers go out of business or change part lines making a small repair impossible.

Point well taken. Some of these things are a flash in the pan. Kawasaki has been scaring the s$$$ out of people since 1970. Something to be said for seniority.

[austexjg]

Looks like it comes with all the bells and whistles - undertail exhaust, rear hugger, digital dash - for a lower price?
I doubt Kawasaki is trembling with fear, but maybe this will be the chinese knock-off that changes things up....

[250rinblack]

The Megelli 250 has been available in Australia for about a year. I emailed the Australian distributor and got a fact sheet and the hp figure was nothing like 27hp, much more like the 16 quoted elsewhere. I've long since ditched the fact sheet so I can't reproduce it here, but trust me it was not 27hp!
The bike looks great right up until you see one in the flesh. All the fittings i.e ,switchgear, grips, footpegs etc look cheap. The welding is nothing like the quality the Japanese are capable of.
In terms of the Australian market it's natural competitor is the Yamaha R125 (I'm talking price and power/weight etc), and I'd pick the Yammie every time because you just know what you're getting. It is no competition for a Ninja 250R in so far as quality it concerned, as far as performance I'll leave that for others to decide but I'd be very surprised if it could see off the Baby Ninja.
It's a classic case of getting what you pay for, so buyer beware.

[ScraitT]

It's all going to depend on how the bike is in a year.

Look at Hyosungs (sp?). It's a pretty sharp looking bike thats close to the ninja in performance and slightly cheaper. It has a larger rear tire, more aggressive positioning (clips-ons and rear sets for the ninja), a digital gauge, dual front disks, etc...
Yet all I ever head about them is that they have horrible build quality, they fall apart and rust to pieces. And to top it off, parts are difficult to get.

This bike has the potential to be great, but it has a LOT to prove to even scrape at the ninjas heels.

[Flashmonkey]

Looks like its a larger bike with a sportier position. I believe the seat height is listed at 31.5". Not too shabby.

The big selling point with a bike like this and the Hyosung is their size. It makes it so that a larger (200lb+) rider doesn't feel like a complete knob riding it.

Build quality and overall reliability is going to be the real test...as mentioned already. Kawi and the Ninja 250 have been around forever....their longevity isn't a question in the least.

[250rinblack]

Originally Posted by Flashmonkey

Looks like its a larger bike.

No James it isn't. Physically it's around the size of the Yamaha R125 or an Aprilia RS125.
I had a close look at one at a local dealer when shopping for other bikes. I'd seen it on the 'net and was quite taken by its' appearance and it certainly has some appeal in that respect. I just feel it's let down as per my previous remarks.
That said they do deserve the benefit of the doubt, in time the quality of the bike may improve. I certainly hope that's the case, as in the context of the Australian market Kawasaki and Hyosung have the late-model 250 sportsbike class completely sown up and they need the competition.

Time will tell I guess.

[Flashmonkey]

Originally Posted by 250rinblack

No James it isn't.

Well...that sucks.

I wonder if they'll give us a two-stroke 250.....I'd buy one for sure!

[cnichols79us]

AHHHHH....I should have READ more earlier. Chinese, Bennshe lists themselves as a Distributor of Chinese bikes and such. Hyosung builds chinese bikes and distributes them all over, ESPECIALLY Texas, under the name AMerican Lifan, umong others. Bennche is located in Texas ALSO, so I would bet these are Hyosung, or very similiar bikes. I have experience with the Hyosung Enduros, but not Street bikes....

[Mista Bob]

Originally Posted by cnichols79us

AHHHHH....I should have READ more earlier. Chinese, Bennshe lists themselves as a Distributor of Chinese bikes and such. Hyosung builds chinese bikes and distributes them all over, ESPECIALLY Texas, under the name AMerican Lifan, umong others. Bennche is located in Texas ALSO, so I would bet these are Hyosung, or very similiar bikes. I have experience with the Hyosung Enduros, but not Street bikes....

Hyosung is Korean... and they shouldn't be put into the same group as the Chinese bikes as they are far better quality in every way.
Lifan is a completely separate company that operates from China.....

[cnichols79us]

Originally Posted by Mista Bob

Hyosung is Korean... and they shouldn't be put into the same group as the Chinese bikes as they are far better quality in every way.
Lifan is a completely separate company that operates from China.....

Dammit Mista Bob!!! You are totally right! I knew once I started thinking about it again, something was wrong.

[CZroe]

Originally Posted by Betlog

That bike looks like a mini CBR600RR. It's beautiful. I wish Honda made a 250. They need to bring the CBR250RR back. I bet they'd sell a lot of those. At the moment, Kawi really does not have competition, so they jack up the price every year.

Are you kidding? It's a TOTAL Ducati knock-off right down to the frame made of exposed triangles, undertail exhaust, headlights, mirrors, and the "vents" on the tail. We talked about this ages ago and even compared pics.

[riiken]

That looks bad ass! But I would definitely worry about build quality. Is there anything considered "quality" coming out of China? I don't think so...

[Snake]

Very nice looking bike and I like the underseat exhaust.

[Verus Cidere]

Just entered a contest to win one. It's based on "the coolest motorcycle pic" and I entered the one that is my avatar right now. Who knows?

[Davidb1986]

The undertail exhaust gives it a cool look! If I could find a way or a person to fabricate some piping to make my exhaust undertail I would!!! That's why I'm going to get a CBR600RR next. Hopefully it's the 2009 Phoenix Edition. I like the way that bike looks and my friends 07 CBR600RR is very comfortable to ride. The Benneche is only $3,399 that's not bad at all. The question is how does it ride and how well does it hold up?

[Mista Bob]

I'd totally love to have the super moto version of it.
Looks like it would be a fun bike to ride

[wayanlam]

i had posted up the specs on this bike a while ago on another thread about the I4 250 from Yamaha~ but here it is again, taken from their website.

Technical Specifications:
Engine
* Type – 4-Stroke, Single Cylinder, Liquid Cooled
* Bore x Stroke – 65.5mm x 68mm
* Compression Ratio – 9.5:1
* Carburetion – CVK30
* Displacement – 249 cc
* Max. Torgue – 17.8 / 7500
* Horse Power – 16.2 HP
* Ignition – CDI
* Transmission – 5-speed

if the Texas website is advertising 27HP, then they either tuned up the engine somehow, or they are just giving out false information...

the reason for them being so light is because 1st its a single bore engine, taking up less space, a small tubular frame, and the farings are quite thin, and for example, you can see the head lights behind the dash... they economized where they could, so it looks good from the outside (and it does, i would like my ninja to look like that too!) but a bit of a hollow shell on the inside x)

[null0]

They're a distributor for Chinese manufacturers. Add something else to the list of 250's I wouldn't want - Tank, Zong Shen and Hyosung. If it had the specs of a Aprilia RS250 which is a Ninja killer and wasn't a thumper like the RS250 I'd be in the line to buy one.

[Mista Bob]

Originally Posted by wayanlam

Technical Specifications:
Engine
* Type – 4-Stroke, Single Cylinder, Liquid Cooled
* Bore x Stroke – 65.5mm x 68mm
* Compression Ratio – 9.5:1
* Carburetion – CVK30
* Displacement – 249 cc
* Max. Torgue – 17.8 / 7500
* Horse Power – 16.2 HP
* Ignition – CDI
* Transmission – 5-speed

if the Texas website is advertising 27HP, then they either tuned up the engine somehow, or they are just giving out false information...

All you would have to do is compare the different specs to see where that extra power came from.
Specs listed on the site have a different bore and stroke, a higher compression ratio and a larger carb.
Not to mention the 5 speed you listed vs the 6 speed on the site.
This could very well be a completely different engine that they are advertising with the 27 hp.

[CZroe]

Qlink DID say that they were looking into ways to increase the HP before finalizing import plans. Did everyone miss that part? Do I need to dig up a link?

[wayanlam]

yeah, they did mention that on the letter that they replied~ but i would be surprised if they imported the bike with a totally different engine compared to the rest of the world (well the known world, lol)

i guess we will just have to wait till someone goes and buys one of their bikes, or gets a chance to test drive it.

[capt_bugaloo]

They look nice - but I wouldn't buy one when I can get a like-new used Ninja 250 or another Japanese bike for the same money. Maybe if they manage to last for 5 years I might give one a look-see.

As some people have said, look at Hyusung (Korean, not Chinese). They have been selling motorcycles in their domestic market for 25 years or so, and in North America for maybe 5 years. A buddy has one - it's not a bad machine. He has put about 10000 KM on it in just a year and it has held up very well with no issues. Even so, I'm not sure I'd buy one when I could get a nice used Ninja or other bike instead.

[sombo]

Originally Posted by wayanlam

i had posted up the specs on this bike a while ago on another thread about the I4 250 from Yamaha~ but here it is again, taken from their website.

Technical Specifications:
Engine
* Type – 4-Stroke, Single Cylinder, Liquid Cooled
* Bore x Stroke – 65.5mm x 68mm
* Compression Ratio – 9.5:1
* Carburetion – CVK30
* Displacement – 249 cc
* Max. Torgue – 17.8 / 7500
* Horse Power – 16.2 HP
* Ignition – CDI
* Transmission – 5-speed

if the Texas website is advertising 27HP, then they either tuned up the engine somehow, or they are just giving out false information...

the reason for them being so light is because 1st its a single bore engine, taking up less space, a small tubular frame, and the farings are quite thin, and for example, you can see the head lights behind the dash... they economized where they could, so it looks good from the outside (and it does, i would like my ninja to look like that too!) but a bit of a hollow shell on the inside x)

Not the same bike as what we're talking about now.

Engine
Engine Type Four-Stroke, Single Cylinder
Displacement 249 cc
Bore & Stroke 77 x 53.6mm
Compression Ratio 11.5：1
Carburetor TK/MV34
Ignition CDI
Transmission 6-speed
Drive Train Chain Drive
Cooling Liquid
Horse Power 27 HP
Fuel Tank Capacity 3 gallons
Battery 12 volts 9 amp

As you can see they seriously upped the compression which definitely will get you more power. They also don't use the same carburetor and changed to a 6-speed transmission. Hell they even changed the bore and stroke. So it's not even the same core as before.

All in all the bike looks nice, I like that dash much better then the Kawi's or the Hyosung's (hate the dark green/black 80's style they use) displays. However, not interested in a cheap Chinese bike that will fall apart, be impossible to get parts or servicing for, or dealing with a little to horrible customer service that seems typical of the Chinese manufacturers right now.

[Mista Bob]

Is there an echo in here?

[sombo]

Originally Posted by Mista Bob

Is there an echo in here?

Is there an echo in here?



I was just giving more detail into and backing up what you said was all.

[Daeldren]

Looks like Bennche edged out qlink over US distribution of these bikes which makes me more interested since the power increase does look more legit now (waiting to see a review).

Apparently the CEO of Qlink left last year and proposed a business plan to Megelli of europe, which Im assuming they liked, and started up Bennche.

Regardless of the facts that these are manufactured in China (so is all Mac products and many other major us products) this is very interesting as far as light weight motorcycles go. We may finally have a street legal supersport that can come close to the Aprilia RS125 and its cheaper than a new ninja 250r, granted it will probably need some suspension mods etc.

[wayanlam]

went to the Sportisi dyno to tune my bike last week, and while talking to the guys there i found out that there was a megelli that came to have a dyno run, and guess what it got...?

9 (NINE) BHP!!!

lol...

i wonder if its a freak crap run by that megelli bike, but really... that's rather shockingly baaaaad.... :P

[Daeldren]

9 (NINE) BHP!!!

Sounds to me like it was one of the base model 125cc versions which if I remember correctly was listed as having 11BHP stock. Which is not that much considering its rivals.

However like what has been stated in this thread already it appears that the new 250 single coming out in the US has a whole new engine which is spec'd at 27hp

[Samer]

Nobody else besides me thinks one cylinder is a major downside? I rode a Buel Blast for my MSF class. That thing vibrated like crazy at low RPM. There's much to be said for more cylinders when you're cruising. Other than that, it does look good in my opinion. I like Kawasaki, but competition will be good for everyone (except Kawi in this case). I wonder how much sooner the new body would have come for the Ninja 250. Maybe the fuel injected model might have been a US Standard by now, maybe the MSRP would have been a bit less. Again, I'm more than happy with my Ninja. But just compare to situation in the 600 class in the US. Granted, the performance demands for the 250 customers are not as high also.