Moto Morini And Its 650cc Adventure Bike Coming To The US
The Italian brand announces its entrance into the American market.
There’s been some buzz in recent months about whether or not freshly-reinvented Italian brand Moto Morini will bring its bikes to the US market, and now there is confirmation it’s true. Via a press release, Moto Morini conveyed its US headquarters will be in Irvine, California, and a dealer network is on the way. This should be of special interest to adventure riders since one of the arrivals is likely to be MM’s 650cc parallel twin powered X-Cape adventure bike.
Since its founding by Grand Prix racer Alfonso Morini back in 1937, Moto Morini, like many similar Italian brands, has been around the block a few times. There was early success and a postwar boom, followed by stagnation and multiple sales, including to private equity firm Texas Pacific Group, which also purchased the Ducati brand in 1996.
While Ducati eventually went on to enjoy a storybook resurgence as part of the Volkswagen family, Moto Morini’s comeback sputtered as it continued to change hands, finally ending up in the portfolio of China’s Zhongneng Vehicle Group in 2018.
Zhongneng has so far done well by the brand, announcing a fast-paced long view that boasts 12 models, including the existing 650cc twin X-Cape adventure bike and Seiemmezzo roadster, already popular in Europe and Asia. To date design and at least partial production remains in Moto Morini’s hometown of Trivolzio, Italy, with its headquarters nearby in Milan.
Despite official news of US operations and a solicitation for potential dealers being announced the first week of January, there is currently nothing on the other end of the provided link to a US website to show exactly which models are arriving here. However, data Zhongneng sent to the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) as part of the application to join the agency’s database, which was analyzed by Cycle World, shows both of the company’s 650 twins, the X-Cape adventure bike and Seiemmezzo roadster, are headed this way.
Further piquing interest, that same NHTSA VIN data reveals plans for two mystery 750cc V-twin bikes to join the American offerings.
The current 650cc X-Cape is a swoopy, adventurous-looking bike featuring a 7-inch TFT display, 60 hp, rugged 50mm Marzocchi adjustable forks, 19/17-inch spoked wheel combo, Brembo brakes and switchable ABS. In the UK, the bike is priced from £6999, which looks something like $8500 today, though pricing in different countries can vary dramatically in relation to import taxes and incentives.
Remember when we were all complaining there weren’t enough mid-size entry-level adventure bikes around? Well, if this keeps up the next problem will be we have too many choices (as if).
Moto Morini X-Cape Specs
Engine type: | liquid-cooled Inline Twin 4-stroke, DOHC 8-Valve |
Displacement: | 649 cc |
Bore x stroke: | 83mm x 60mm |
Compression ratio: | 11.3:1 |
Maximum torque: | 39.8 ft-lbs (54Nm) @ 7000rpm |
Maximum power: | 60 HP @ 8250rpm |
Injection system: | BOSCH EFI |
Maximum speed: | 106 mph (170 Km/h) |
Emission level: | euro 5 |
Dimensions (LxWXH) | 2200x900x1390mm |
Wheelbase: | 1490 mm |
Dry weight: | 470 lbs (213 kg) |
Seat height: | 32.3″/33.3″ (820mm/845mm) |
Fuel tank capacity: | 4.8 gallons (18 liters) |
Minimum ground clearance: | 7.5″ (190mm) |
Frame: | steel |
Swingarm: | aluminum |
Front brake: | Double disc 298 mm, floating calipers, 2 pistons |
Rear brake: | Single disc, 2 pistons |
ABS: | BOSCH ABS 9.1 Mb (switchable) |
Wheels: | Tubeless spoked rims (Tubeless alloy rims as optional) |
Front tire: | 110/80-19M/C |
Rear tire: | 150/70-17M/C |
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Hmmm.. Fuel tank will be either 14.8 gallons or 2.1 gallons
Typo has been fixed. It’s 4.8 gallons.
I’ll pass on the 500+ lbs 60hp bike but I’ll take a wait and see approach on the 750 v twin. That could be interesting.
Yeah, dry weight 470 lbs, ouch. Still, seems to offer a lot for the money. Could be a decent budget gravel-road tourer.
The Chicoms use high density materials in making their bikes. An under powered ‘middle’ weight that comes in at about the same weight as an 1100 Honda AT? I don’t care how much less it costs. I’d gladly pay more for quality and performance.
Another brand name swooped up by a Chinese company. No thanks.
As opposed to brand names being eaten by US private equity firms? The Chinese have to start somewhere. Most of the bikes they produce now are damn heavy but in time maybe they will improve power/weight ratio.
Hard Pass.