FIRST RIDE
P68
MOTO MORINI REBELLO 1200
(Top) The Rebello gets a
unique seat design that
allows it to slide forward or
backward nine inches at the
push of a button. The pack
that powers it all is located
under the seat cowling.
(Right) The looks will likely
draw varied opinions. Love
or hate?
compared to the Corsaro. The added length
comes mainly thanks to
the extra space needed
for its unique electronically operated moveable seat conceived by
designer Marco Ciuti
– a seat that's adjustable over a range of
some nine inches by
literally just pressing a
switch. This allows you
to turn the Rebello from
a monoposto to a biposto motorcycle in just a matter
of seconds, but it also allows you
to tailor the riding stance to suit
your mood and/or the nature of
the road you're riding along.
So when you're in town you
push the handlebar-mounted
thumb button to push the rear
seat squab forward for an up-
right straight-backed posture that
gives support to your behind,
while out on the twisties you can
slide it back to let you adopt a
more sporting stance. It's a neat
gizmo that actually works.
In spite of the extra space
needed to house the electric
motor that operates all this, the
rear part of the chassis has been
lowered for the comfort of the passenger,
says Alberto Tarroni. At
32.2 inches the rider's
seat height has also
been lowered slightly
on the Rebello compared to other Morinis,
and the footpegs are
also ideally positioned.
They're high enough to
avoid dragging, without cramping a taller
rider's knees up unduly, while well placed
to grip the flanks of the
5.6-gallon fuel tank.
You snuggle into the
Rebello, rather than
sit aboard it, aided by
the pulled-back grips
of that wide handlebar.
It all results in a pretty
laid-back, comfortable
stance.
Under new management,
Moto Morini has picked up where
it left off, making great real world
motorcycles that are full of personality and rewarding, and entertaining, to ride. Let's hope that
this time around, their appealing
character and affordable price
won't keep them such a well-kept
secret.
CN
