VOL. 54 ISSUE 38 SEPTEMBER 26, 2017 P105
it'll be retro-fitted to bikes built
previously. But apart from that
there are no plans to invest
in RBW technology, so just
as KTM demonstrated three
years ago in becoming Eu-
rope's best-selling manufac-
turer with its hitherto electron-
ics-lite on-road models before
the advent of the 1290 Super
Duke, there are lots of cus-
tomers who are happy to and
even prefer to ride products
embodying the axiom that
simple is best, and the new
Morini ZZ will continue to
offer that alternative route to
sporting satisfaction, where
you don't need to check out
the manual before working out
how to switch off the electron-
ics to wheelie the bike.
The addition of ABS to meet
Euro 4 compliance is a defi-
nite plus, though, as I once
again discovered on those
dusty roads—it doesn't cut in
too early or abruptly, but it's
there to provide a safety net.
And on clean surfaces the
Brembo radial brake package
is its usual peerless self, haul-
ing down the Corsaro ZZ from
high speed with lots of feel
and loads of effect, as you
work the clutch lever to back
down the gears and access
the decent amount of engine
braking that the Gustato gang
have left dialed in to the APTC
slipper clutch's operation.
However, the clutch lever ac-
tion is stiffer than on my bikes,
presumably thanks to the ZZ
motor's greater torque.
But the light-action 54mm
single-butterfly throttle bodies
give a smooth, controllable
pickup from 3000 rpm up-
wards out of tight turns, now
with not too jerky a response
from a closed throttle, thanks
to the updated mapping. In
fact, your right hand feels
exactly how much power is
reaching the tarmac via the
rear Pirelli. You soon learn
to appreciate how much
confidence the well-sorted,
balanced-feeling chassis with
its 53/47% weight distribu-
tion gives you, especially with
the much more compliant
Mupo suspension now fitted
that's specially developed for
Morini, offering a greater 5.3
inches cushion of wheel travel
compared to the much more
stiffly sprung Marzocchis used
until now on all Morini V-twins.
This prevents the Corsaro
from skipping around unduly
on rougher surfaces, and you
can use the engine's meaty
torque to hold third and fourth
gears in order to cruise that
4000-7000 rpm comfort zone
for long periods along winding
You don't need to check out the manual before working out how
to switch off the electronics to wheelie the bike.
Mupo handles suspension duties
and is fully adjustable.
