Phelon & Moore revived

Phelon & Moore built motorcycles in Cleckheaton, Yorkshire, England from 1904 to 1967, most famously under the Panther name. They became known for a distinctive design featuring a large, sloping 40-degree single-cylinder engine that served as a stressed part of the frame. This design ran throughout the company’s history, beginning with a 500 cc model and ending with a 645 cc version.

In the late 1950s scooter craze, P & M brought in the Scooterrot scooter and a moped from French maker Terrot, but both were riddled with issues. This led them to create their own model, the Panther Princess, which unfortunately flopped and played a part in the company’s downfall as a motorcycle producer. By 1962, the receiver stepped in, and production limped along until 1966.

The brand made its official comeback in 2022, but it wasn’t until EICMA 2025 that the public finally got a full look at the new line-up. It’s a pretty extensive range too, featuring cruisers, adventure tourers, scooters, and with several retro naked models also on the horizon.

Phelon & Moore operated from 1902 to 1967, founded by Joah Carver Phelon and Richard Moore in the Yorkshire town of Cleckheaton. Over the years, the factory produced both four-stroke and two-stroke models, even crafting race bikes that competed in the Isle of Man TT. Its most iconic creation was the Panther, first launched in the 1920s and built in various versions and engine sizes until the factory eventually shut down.

In 2022, the brand was acquired by “passionate investors,” according to the P&M website, with extensive experience in designing, manufacturing, and distributing motorcycles and scooters. Now under new leadership, P&M aims to enter the premium two-wheeled market, creating bikes “inspired by the colourful history of Phelon & Moore” for riders around the world.

A little research into the new owners shows two company directors, both American, including a former motocross rider who claims to have 25 years of experience in the field.

The range.

At the time of writing, pricing for each of the new models is still to be confirmed.

While the relaunch of another British bike brand is great news for the industry, there are still some question marks over certain aspects of the bikes. Take the engines, for example—without knowing whether they’ve been developed in-house or sourced from an existing brand in China or India, it might be tough to justify P&M’s premium ambitions and the price tag that could come with them.

Capetown 7S.

At the top of the lineup, three adventure bikes are on the horizon from the brand: the Capetown 7S, the tougher Capetown 7X with spoked wheels, and the eye-catching Capetown 7X Pininfarina Edition, which comes with exclusive paint, panniers, and a top box.

The three bikes all feature a 693cc parallel twin-cylinder engine, said to deliver 73bhp and 50 lb ft of torque. The P&M website doesn’t mention where the engine originates, leaving it unclear whether it’s one of the brand’s own in-house designs or if a bigger manufacturer is behind the mechanical components.

Beyond the engine, all three bikes feature a TFT display, heated grips, traction control, and a front dashcam. The chassis setup includes adjustable suspension at both ends, 320mm discs with four-piston callipers up front, and a kerb weight of 240kg.

Panther C and Panther S

The range rightly includes a bike named after one of P&M’s longest-running models, the Panther. In its modern form, it takes on a custom cruiser style. The C model is the more traditionally styled of the two, boasting plenty of chrome, a dual seat, and high-set handlebars. Its paint scheme brings to mind the Yamaha XV535 Virago from the mid-1990s.

The S model sports a darker, moodier vibe with blacked-out finishes on the engine and bodywork. It’s also fitted with lower handlebars, sleek bar-end mirrors, and a tiny pillion seat that’s barely there.

Both bikes are powered by a 573cc liquid-cooled V-twin engine, delivering 53bhp and 35.7 lb ft of torque. Fully fueled, the Panther C tips the scales at 249kg.

Panthette S and Panthette X

Two new scooters are on the way from the brand: the city-friendly Panthette S and the tougher Panthette X. They’ll be available in 125cc air-cooled and liquid-cooled versions, plus a slightly more powerful 200cc option for A2 riders. The air-cooled 125 puts out 9bhp and 7.2 lb ft of torque, while the liquid-cooled model delivers 11.5bhp and 8.8 lb ft. The 200cc version offers 17bhp and 11 lb ft.

While the S model fully embraces its city-slicker persona, the X model brings a quirkier vibe. It’s clearly aiming to tap into the ADV scooter scene—at least in terms of looks and style. Like the S, it comes in three versions: 125cc, 200cc, and 300cc. The 125 is said to produce 11.5bhp and 8.6 lb ft, while the 200 bumps that up to 16bhp and 17.7 lb ft. The range-topping 300 claims only a slight edge over the 200, with 17bhp and 18.4 lb ft.

Brighton 6 Roadster and Scrambler, Brighton 125.

The website’s ‘Preview’ section features three retro naked bikes: two with a 550cc parallel twin producing 58bhp and 40.5 lb ft of torque, and one, the Brighton 125, with a 124.2cc water-cooled single delivering 14bhp and 8.5 lb ft of torque.

Each bike sports a sensibly styled retro naked look, restrained enough to avoid appearing over the top while steering clear of copying any existing models on the market. The Scrambler’s design gets a nice boost from intricate cross-laced spoked wheels and a sleek matte-finished paint scheme.