Sub-£9k adventurers | Morbidelli introduce V-twin duo to lure buyers away from established players

Born again Italian marque Morbidelli are stepping into one of motorcycling’s most fiercely contested segments, bringing to market a pair of big-bore adventure bikes.

• Related: Morbidelli C1002V cruiser twin rolls onto British roads for less than £10k

With a long history, the brand now operate under the ownership of Chinese parent company Qianjiang Group from a newly established base in Bologna.

Called the T1002V and T1002VX, the new flagship tourers cost just £8499 and £8699 respectively, putting them at a price that significantly undercuts their European and Japanese rivals, including the £13,249-on Honda CRF1100L Africa Twin or £13,499-on Suzuki V-Strom 1050.

Originally teased back in 2023, the pair are now set to be in showrooms from April and have clearly been styled to blend in with the crowd. That front beak, for example, offers a flavour of Triumph’s Tiger 1200 family, and the entire side profile of the bike is very similar to Honda’s now defunct Crosstourer 1200 V4.

As you might’ve guessed, the X is the more rugged of the pair, featuring tubeless spoked wheels in a 17/19in combination shod with Pirelli Scorpion Rally STR tyres, while the base T1002V comes with cast alloy wheels of identical dimensions. Beyond this, the two bikes are the same.

Despite costing far less than the aforementioned Japanese machines in similar trim, the new dual-sport duo don’t scrimp on spec.

Starting with the motor, the pair make use of a Euro5+ 997cc 80-degree V-twin, which is good for a claimed 90bhp at 7750rpm and 70lb.ft of torque from 5250rpm. It’s an engine shared with the firm’s C1002V cruiser, which hit the UK roads last year at £8499 (+OTR).

With a ride-by-wire throttle, the engine has four riding modes, each with accompanying throttle maps, with rain being the softest (as well as cutting peak power) and sport naturally being the most aggressive.

The modes also dish out different levels of intervention from the traction control, ABS and corner brake control (CBC), with the off-road setting disabling aids altogether. Both come with a quick-release aluminium luggage set, with a topbox and panniers.

Suspension spec also punches well above its price, with KYB kit at either end. This consists of a monoshock and 43mm USD forks, both of which allow for preload and rebound adjustment.

That’s not all though, and for the money, there’s also heated grips, a heated rider seat, backlit switchgear, a sump guard, tyre pressure monitors, centrestand, 7in TFT dash, USB/USB-C outlets, and built-in phone connectivity, all fitted as standard.