The bike is powered by a Bosch EFI 650cc, parallel twin pumping 60 horsepower and 42.5 ft-lbs of torque. Suspension duties are handled by beefy, fully-adjustable 50mm Marzocchi forks and an adjustable KYB monoshock, while Brembo twin-piston calipers bite on dual discs up front and a single disc in the rear for stopping power.

The X-Cape also offers switchable Bosch ABS, a 7” colored TFT display, music and phone connectivity, LED lighting, on-road / off-road ride modes, a Tire Pressure Monitoring System, an adjustable windscreen and a double waterproof USB charger. The bike rides on 19”/17” tubeless spoked wheels (cast wheels are optional) shod with Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR tires, all supporting the bike’s claimed dry weight of 470 lbs (213 kg).

From a styling perspective, the X-Cape has a pronounced “swoop” from the high 4.8-gallon fuel tank to the low-ish 32.2 inch/ 33.3 inch seat resulting in a more touring oriented scooped saddle. The dual front headlights blend into a fairing that should provide adequate weather protection, and there’s a skid plate, possibly plastic, that covers many of the essentials low on the engine but appears to leave the low-slung exhaust a bit vulnerable.

Founded in 1937, Morini isn’t new to the game. While a more well-known brand in Europe, the company has been passed around several owners over the years and sporadically out of business. In 2018 Moto Morini was purchased by the Chinese giant Zhongneng Vehicle Group. Design and at least partial production remains in Italy, but an infusion of cash has fueled a more global push from the brand. 

Since the debut of the X-Cape at EICMA back in 2019, Moto Morini has been signaling their intentions to get in the ring with more established players in the current adventure segment. Last November they unveiled an up-spec’d, off-road version called the X-Cape ADV-R, which was put through a trial by fire by taking on the Basella Race in Spain with Dakar veteran Oriol Mena at the helm. The prototype bike impressed by finishing in 8th place in the MaxiTrail class against a highly competitive field that included the likes of Pol Tarres on the Tenere 700 and Antoine Meo on the DesertX. And although there is no word yet on whether this variant will go into production, it seems Moto Morini is not done with its X-Cape platform.“We will continue working to further improve the performance of the Moto Morini X-Cape,” confirmed Mena.

For now, the X-Cape’s standard model is being offered in three color choices: Red Passion, Smoky Anthracite and Carrara White. As is common with other manufacturers, Moto Morini offers a line of accessories for the X-Cape, including aluminum top and side cases, aluminum skid plate, luggage racks, handguards and more. For more information go to motomoriniusa.com.

Moto Morini X-Cape Specs