Moto Morini X-Cape & Seiemmezzo adventure/roadster (2022-) review

The X-Cape is the adventure-style machine with fairing, adjustable screen and larger TFT dash while the two Seiemmezzo roadsters, both using the same engine and chassis as the X-Cape, are identical bar the street STR’s road rubber and lower bars compared to the scrambler SCR’s higher bars, ribbed seat, semi-knobbly tyres and a few detail differences. And there’s a lot to like with all. Although now Chinese owned, Morini has placed significant emphasis on being Italian designed and having the specification, styling and build quality at least the equal of a domestically-made machine. On this evidence it's delivering just that, but at a bargain price. So, apart from the handsome styling, there are decent components (Brembo brakes, Marzocchi/Kayaba suspension, Akront wire wheels, Pirelli tyres), quality features like a slick, full colour TFT dash, plenty of sweet details like a bespoke Morini key and smart badging plus impressive build-quality, too. In short they all look good, work well and are better finished and specced than many rivals costing thousands more.

The X-Cape’s a classic, middleweight adventure bike like Yamaha’s Ténéré 700 or Kawasaki’s more road-orientated Versys 650 so has all the versatility, upright long-distance comfort, roominess and practicality that suggests without the bulk and awkwardness of a larger adventure machine. As such, it’s a great all-rounder. What’s more, its screen is height-adjustable, which some rivals can’t match. Shorter riders may struggle slightly but most will find it easy, comfortable and good at most things – even a little bit of off-roading - although not as ‘hard-core’ as the Yam it’s a more genuine off-roader than Honda’s CB500X or the Versy). The only (very) slight criticism is of the seat, which raises up slightly awkwardly at the front and, due to its adventure style, is quite narrow. The two Seiemmezzos both use the same chassis but the SCR has higher, wider bars in a true Scrambler style with the STR a more conventional, low-barred roadster.

Middleweight twin cylinder adventure style bikes make brilliantly-practical all-rounders due to their very nature – and the X-Cape is no exception. They’re more than capable on-road with true long-distance potential, are light and manageable enough round town and (some) can even venture off-road, too. The X-Cape, however, delivers all that at least as good as any and also has the alluring style and quality of being from a true Italian legend yet is also brilliant value as well – at launch, the base version with cast wheels cost £6,999 (the wire-wheeled version is £500 more) which, compared to the current Japanese competition, ranging from the £9,900 Yamaha Ténéré, to the £8,199 Kawasaki Versy 650, £7,299 Suzuki V-Strom 650 and lesser powered £6,699 Honda CB500X, few of which can match the X-Cape’s spec, is an absolute steal. The two Seiemmezzos are better value still but lack quite the same practicality simply for being unfaired, less roomy roadsters. Both are decent, however, and great around town.

If we were to criticise anything about the new Morini 650s it’d probably have to be their engines – but even then it’s only a minor quibble. It’s a liquid-cooled, parallel twin virtually identical to (but oddly more refined) to that used by Chinese compatriots CF Moto, which in turn is a modernised version of Kawasaki’s old 2006 ER6n motor. As such, with 60bhp compared to, say, the Yamaha Ténéré’s 72bhp and a few rougher edges it hasn’t quite the same outright performance or refinement, although the Seiemmezzo versions feel a little livelier due to their lower gearing. Overall, though, it doesn’t really matter, the performance is flexible and sufficient and there were no glitches worth mentioning. All three’s brakes are more than sufficient, too. The Brembo branding may be over-egging it slightly, they’re fairly basic, non-radial, twin piston affairs, but they work well enough.

All three have tubular steel frame with decent, fully adjustable Marzocchi inverted forks at the front and a KYB single shock at the rear adjustable for preload and rebound damping. The X-Cape has an adventure-orientated 19in front wheel, with Pirelli Scorpion STR semi-knobbly tyres. The Seiemezzo SCR and STR have 18in front wheels with semi-knobblies and street tyres respectively. All three, however, handle impressively with a comfortable, plush, assured ride far beyond what you might expect of mid-range, Chinese-built bikes. The X-Cape is upright, tall and with a commanding riding position and general riding or covering distance is done effortlessly, intuitively and comfortably, with no complaints. Wind up the wick and, despite the blocky tyres and big front wheel, the steering is impressively light, nimble and planted. The X-Cape is no sports bike but it can be hustled with glee and there’s also a solid, quality poise here that ‘cheap’ bikes rarely possess. Both Seiemmezzos are decent, too, with the STR being our pick for sporty riding simply because of its lower-barred, sportier stance and grippier tyres, but the SCR’s not far behind.

The three new Morinis are all mid-to-cheap priced machines with mid-range performance, so we’d expect the middling running costs to go with it. Our brief test didn’t allow accurate fuel consumption calculations, but we’d expect 45-50mpg. The 60bhp peak power figure isn’t particularly demanding, either, so their hunger for consumables such as tyres, chain, brake pads and so on isn’t going to be excessive, either, while, although you always have to be a little wary about the residual values of Chinese bikes, the three Morinis are also a cut above the average both in terms of quality and reputation, so we have little to fear here.

Although all-new models from a revived manufacturer most of the nuts and bolts of the new Morinis are known and proven while their overall build quality is a cut above the average Chinese-built motorcycle as well. The engine is the latest refinement of the Kawasaki-designed ER6n motor that dates all the way back to 2006 and, in producing merely a claimed 60bhp, is also in a fairly understressed, low state of tune. We can’t vouch for the durability of things like paint, metal finishes and so on at this stage, but going by their apparent quality again we’d rank them better than most.

Where most mainstream motorcycles these days come with a standard two-years, unlimited mileage, manufacturer backed warranty for all parts and labour, the new Moto Morini 650s go above and beyond this by offering a three-year warranty as standard. Servicing is pretty standard, too: after the original break-in oil and filter 500-mile affair, routine services are due every 600 miles with the more expensive valve adjustment service due at 20,000 miles.

Here’s one of the main areas that all three new Morinis impress – certainly for the money. Admittedly, the X-Cape, for example, is no £20K Ducati Multistrada V4 with a full suite of electronic rider aids, quickshifter etc – but then the Morini is a mid-range 60bhp machine so doesn’t really need them. That said, it does have a fancy, well-designed, full colour, 7in TFT display, which is far better than most bikes at this price can manage, an adjustable windscreen, quality brakes and adjustable suspension, backlit switchgear, neat, tapered handlebars and lots of smart design touches such as the Morini logos on the filler cap, seat and key. Aluminium luggage and crash protection are among the extra cost optional extras available so far. The two Seiemmezzos, meanwhile, although as nakeds less lavishly equipped, also impress, with smaller TFT screens and stylish detailing.

For around £7K the X-Cape and less for the two Seiemezzos, are an awful lot of bike for the money. Like middleweight adventure bike rivals such as the Kawasaki Versys and Yamaha Ténéré, the X-Cape is a truly capable all-rounder with enough performance to satisfy while the two 650s are stylish, effective and fun roadsters. Beyond that, however, they’ve all got a truly evocative name and plenty of Italian style; lots of impressive equipment (TFT dash, backlit switchgear, Brembo brakes) and the build quality and extra design touches to match. They are also all truly engaging, enjoyable and effective to ride and, best of all, at this price, absolute bargains as well.