Moto Morini, the Chinese owned classic Italian brand, used the recent EICMA show in Milan to premiere five new models as it continues to grow its range and presence around the world.
The company, which returned to the UK in 2021, currently has two models, the Seiemmezzo and X-Cape, both of which are built around a Kawasaki ER-6 derived 650cc parallel-twin. Despite the small initial range, the company has big plans for the future, with the new bikes anticipated to arrive in the next 12 months.
Based around the same 650cc motor as the existing models, the Calibro is a cruiser in the vein of the Kawasaki Vulcan. While a prototype was shown over a year ago, Moto Morini also showcased a Bagger version in Milan. Both models are expected to be on sale in 2024, with an A2 version available as a competitor to the likes of Honda’s CMX500 Rebel and Kawasaki’s new-for-2024 Eliminator.
Significantly, Morini has shown off a brand new engine of its own design, complete with a new chassis platform offering three derivatives. The 750cc 87° V-twin should give Moto Morini an alternative to the likes to the Yamaha MT-07 and Honda CB750 Hornet, in what has become a hotly contested sector of the motorcycle market. Prototypes shown in Milan include the suitably named Milano, a classically styled roadster, with the more aggressive looking Corsaro and the faired Corsaro Sport sharing the same basic frame and engine set-up. Very few details have been released, but the specification looks much more advanced than the 650 range, with more sophisticated electronics offering four ride modes.
The fifth new model shown at EICMA was the much-mooted X-Cape 1200 adventure bike, which uses a modified version of Morini’s old V-twin motor, albeit updated to meet the latest Euro5 emissions laws. Where the 650s are somewhat basic in their spec, the 1200 promises a much higher level of equipment as it aims to take on one of the biggest selling classes in modern motorcycling.
There’s no word on when the new Moto Morini models will make it into showrooms, however all the prototypes shown in Milan looked pretty much production ready, suggesting at least some of them could be on our roads in 2024.
Images: Moto Morini/EICMA
