At $8299, the 649cc parallel-
twin, 60hp/39 lb-ft Moto Morini
X-Cape is nearly four grand
cheaper than its nearest com-
petitor in terms of engine spec—
the Aprilia Tuareg 660, and a bit
over $2k less than a Yamaha
Tenere 700. Score two for Moto
Morini.
Fast forward six weeks, and
I've now got that exact machine
underneath me as Ryan and I
spend our morning snapping
photos in the canyon separating
Orange County from the Inland
Empire. This is a full-size ADV
machine that doesn't have the
intimidation factor many bikes
north of 800cc have by design,
even though its seat height is up
there at 32.3 inches.
The X-Cape is a handsome
machine. The red and black
bodywork's sharp angles are a
departure from the swooping
curves of many modern ADV
machines, its tall 4.8-gallon gas
tank drooping back into a short
but comfortable seat unit that
marries to a pointy back end
equipped with thick passen
-
ger hand grabs and all the bits
needed to fit the aftermarket
side cases.
There are backlit switches,
LED lights that look a little
mean, a massive seven-inch TFT
dash with full Bluetooth capabil
-
ity, and a screen that thankfully
can be adjusted on the fly, even
if it's a little short for my 6'1"
frame.
The ride is controlled by
chunky, fully adjustable 50mm
Marzocchi forks and a rebound
and preload-adjustable KYB
shock, although the brakes
leave a little to be desired in the
twin-piston Brembo calipers
and small 298mm discs. Pirelli's
Scorpion Rally STR rubber com
-
pletes the package, so off-road
trails will be at least as much
fun as those of the black top.
RIDE REVIEW I 2023 MOTO MORINI X-CAPE
P82
This has to be one of the best-looking ADV bikes on the
market today. The price makes it look even better.
