The Great X-Cape: meet Moto Morini’s new 1200 V-twin

One of the surprising stars of the Eicma show in Milan earlier this month was Moto Morini, who dazzled crowds with five new motorcycles – including a range-topping V-twin X-Cape 1200 adventure bike.

Under Chinese ownership since 2018, the brand stated early last year that 11 new Italian-designed models would be released over the next two years.

Although ambitious, these claims have since been backed up with four production 650 twins, plus the reveal of two V-twin 750 Corsaro models at Eicma 2023, alongside a 1200 Milano and the aforementioned X-Cape.

The two 1200s are the undoubted stars. But while the Milano is a reimagining of a naked machine produced four years ago, the X-Cape is a credible, full-size adventurer – set to go up against the likes of Moto Guzzi’s new Stelvio as the new flagship of Morini’s range.

This is not the first time we’ve seen the 1200 adventure bike in the works, with the firm teasing photos online back in early January 2023.

At the heart of both big twins is a reworked version of the firm’s 1187cc V-twin that’s now called the ‘V2 Corsa Corta EVO.’ It meets the latest Euro5+ emissions rules and produces a claimed 125bhp, down from the previous 140bhp claimed output.

There’s a new tubular steel trellis frame with aluminium top section and swing arm, plus long travel, fully adjustable suspension, wire 19/17-inch wheels, and a smartly styled adventure bike fairing.

So far, so adventure class standard, but where the X-Cape then truly impresses is in its equipment.

Up front, you’ll find an enlarged seven inch TFT dash controlling four riding modes plus traction and cornering ABS, a quickshifter, cruise control, and even radar-activated blind-spot detection like a Ducati Multistrada V4.

All of that will come at a price of course, and whilst this has not yet been confirmed, their current range of sub-£7000 650 twins undercut their comparable European competition by up to £1500 – suggesting it could well be a bargain.

The truth, of course, will be in the testing. Until then though, Morinis have rarely looked so good.

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Italian firm tease big-bore V-twin ADV bike

Originally published 11 January 2023 by Stuart Prestidge

Italian-styled, Chinese-built Moto Morini have been flaunting a large-capacity V-twin adventure bike concept on social media, which appears to borrow a version of an engine previously found in the brand’s Milano roadster and Corsaro super naked.

• Related: Morini boss confirms 1200 adventurer and range of other models

There are no official details, barring a message from the firm that says: “Let’s gradually unveil the new look and enhanced V-engine ADV which is still in testing,” as well as a hashtag that suggests the bike could be called the X-Cape 1200.

Morini have previously stated that a 1200 platform is on the way, with the UK country manager confirming this to MCN on the recent press ride of the Seiemmezzo 650 roadsters.

A closer inspection of this engine’s architecture appears to show it to be a variation of the 1187cc lump previously found in the firm’s large capacity nakeds, with ‘1200’ and ‘V2’ found embossed on the covers.

This motor previously produced a claimed 137bhp and 93lb.ft in the Corsaro. Elsewhere, it takes styling cues from the smaller 649cc X-Cape already on sale, with the teaser shots also revealing radial Brembos, upside-down forks, LED lighting and what looks to be a hydraulic clutch.

There are also spoked rims in off-road friendly sizes, wrapped in premium Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR tyres.

It’s also likely to receive a TFT dash hidden behind the tall nose fairing, given the unit’s inclusion on the smaller X-Cape.

Moto Morini confirmed to MCN that this is not a production ready prototype and that it remains in development.

That said, the homologation number plate hanger and reflectors, quality of finish, plus indicators and mirrors, suggests it is more than merely a pipe dream and is well on the way to being produced.