Moto Morini has joined the recent surge of interest in smaller adventure bikes, introducing the oddly named Alltrhike 450. The name seems to combine the words “all-terrain” and “hike,” which Moto Morini says is supposed to embody the bike’s adventurous spirit and capability to tackle rugged trails and long journeys. Unveiled at EICMA, the new model is Moto Morini’s first 450cc adventure bike as well as the most off-road oriented machine in their lineup. 

At the heart of the Alltrhike is a 450cc parallel twin, making 43.5 horsepower and 32.4 lb-ft (44 Nm) of torque. As with pretty much everything these days, the engine meets Euro 5+ emissions standards. It also has a six-speed transmission, something not all of its competitors offer. The whole package tips the scale at a claimed dry weight of 375 pounds (170 kg).

Where the rubber meets the road, you get 21”/17” spoked wheels rolling on a 90/90-21 front tire and a 140/70-17 rear tire. These are the right sizes for off-road use and ensure a wide selection of tires to suit your needs. The front suspension consists of a 41mm Kayaba upside-down fork with 8.3 in (210 mm) travel. Preload, compression, and rebound are all adjustable. Out back, there’s a Kayaba monoshock with 7.5 in (190 mm) of travel and a remote preload adjustment. Compression is adjustable, but rebound is not. The result is 8.7 inches (220 mm) of ground clearance and an accessible 33.3 inch (847 mm) seat height.

The braking looks robust as well. A four-piston front radial caliper clamps down on a 320 mm disc, while a two-piston caliper presses a 255 mm disc in the back. ABS is included and can be switched off in off-road mode for either the rear or both wheels. 

Design-wise, the Moto Morini stands out with its minimalist lines. The LED headlights and running lights look more like a sport tourer than an adventure bike, adding to the distinctive looks. Moving to the cockpit the new model’s TFT display has a vertical orientation similar to the Yamaha Tenere 700 and possibly inspired by rally roadbooks. As far as navigation features, our guess is that it is a similar system to the X-Cape 650 that pairs with your phone rather than an independent built-in system. The Alltrhike 450 also has both USB and USB-C ports to charge your devices.

The gas tank holds 4.75 gallons (18 liters) of fuel, which should provide a pretty decent range for a small bike like this. An engine guard is standard equipment, as well as a center stand, an unusual feature on a bike this size. This may contribute to its relatively low ground clearance for this segment. For comparison, the Suzuki DR-Z4S has 11.8 inches, while the KTM 390 Adventure R has 10.2 inches. However, a center stand makes chain cleaning and other maintenance tasks much easier. Many riders choose to add an aftermarket stand to their bikes for this reason, despite often receiving a clearance penalty.

There is no word yet on pricing, but considering that the X-Cape sells for $7,999 ($6,999 for 2023 models), it would be reasonable to expect the Alltrhike to cost less, possibly even less than many competitors in its class. Their low prices are partly because, as much as Moto Morini prides itself on its Italian heritage, they build their bikes in China. People certainly have strong opinions about that. However, the build quality of the X-Cape we tested was on par with the established competition, with none of the defects that some affordable Chinese bikes were infamous for not long ago. They also stand behind their product. All Moto Morini motorcycles have a three-year, unlimited mileage warranty, which should help put any reliability fears to rest.

Suddenly, there’s a great deal of competition in the small adventure bike market. Existing models, like the Suzuki DR-Z400S and Royal Enfield Himalayan, have received extensive makeovers in the DR-Z4S and Himalayan 450, respectively. KTM has introduced the 390 Adventure R, with a more powerful engine and almost nothing carried over from the old 390 Adventure. BMW has teased us with the F 450 GS adventure bike concept, and CFMoto has confirmed that the Ibex 450 will be coming to the US. With the segment booming, it makes sense for Moto Morini to try to get a piece of the pie.

Here’s one more factor to keep in mind. Underneath the swoopy Italian styling, the engine and frame look almost identical in the Alltrhike 450 and CFMoto Ibex 450. The Ibex 450 engine’s horsepower, torque, bore, stroke, and compression ratio are identical to the Moto Morini, as are many other specifications, such as the wheels, tires, and brakes. We have no official confirmation, but looking at the numbers, there’s a good chance the two companies have teamed up to build this bike together. Moto Morini licensed Kawasaki’s 650cc engine for the X-Cape, so they are no strangers to strategic partnerships like this.

Alltrhike 450 Specs

Author: Justin Hughes

Justin has been an automotive and motorcycle journalist for the past 10 years. After learning to ride on a series of Suzuki GSs, he took up touring on a Honda Silverwing and PC800 before turning his attention to off-road adventures. His racing experience is mainly with cars, although he did do a track day once on a KLR650. He has traveled with his cat, Lister, to 44 states in his “moto-glamping” camper van, Smokey Da Van, with his V-Strom 650 in tow.