Escape to EXCELLENCE?

Just over six years ago, Italy's historic Moto Morini marque narrowly avoided the scrapheap of motorcycle history when, in October 2018 Chen Huaneng, owner of Chinese scooter and minimoto manufacturer Zhongneng Vehicle Group/ZVG, rode to the rescue by acquiring 100% equity in Moto Morini from its previous Italian owner.

- Alan Cathcart

Since then, ZVG's route map to Morini's recovery has proceeded at pace, initially with a range of five models powered by the well-proven 650cc DOHC eight-valve parallel-twin motor sourced from rival Chinese manufacturer (and near neighbour) CFMOTO.

MOTO MORINI X-CAPE 700

With 15,400 examples of its entry-level X-Cape 650 ADV model alone sold globally in the past three years, Moto Morini's ride down the comeback trail is becoming more assured. The X-Cape's distinctive styling by freelance designer Angel Lussiana gave it immediate personality, which helped it stand out from the plethora of other middleweight ADVs entering the market, backed up by its versatile appeal as an accessible, well-equipped and capable model at an affordable price.

Moto Morini is building on the X-Cape's success with a diverse range of new models set to come on stream over the next 18 months. Next up, according to the company's CEO Alberto Monni, will be its 1200cc X-Cape ADV Big Twin model housing a Euro 5 Plus compliant version of the company's trademark 87° V-twin Corsa Corta motor, that's ready to hit dealer showrooms in September. That'll be followed in spring 2026 by the Corsaro GT, the first of three models powered by Morini's all-new Italian-designed 750cc 90° V-twin motor, and two bikes using a smaller 350cc 72° V-twin engine. In addition, the Altrhike 450cc parallel-twin ADV will provide well-priced competition to BMW's new F450 GS. All these bikes debuted at last November's EICMA Milan Show, and each was conceived and developed in Moto Morini's plant at Trivolzio, 30km SW of Milan, to be then manufactured in China.