Moto Morini 9½ - 2007

Not since the 1970’s has the name Moto Morini been one to get a motorcyclists heart pounding with anticipation!

Back then the Bologna based factory produced the legendary V twin powered 3½, but thereafter hard times followed, with the marque ceasing production in the late 1980’s. But several changes of ownership later and the brand has been reacquired in 2003 by a Morini; Morini Franco Motori and the Berti family.

With a new factory now built, once again Morini can produce passionate, Italian Moto Morini’s motorcycles for us all to enjoy again.

Beauty is very much in the eye of the beholder, but have you ever known the Italians produce anything automotive that does not have flair and innate beauty. The 9½ is no different.

Its styling is retro and perhaps most resembles the earlier Ducati Monsters in look.

With its silver trellis frame, black tank, with silver inlay panel and black mudguards, complemented by chromed wired wheels and head lamp nacelle, it’s a “looker”. The bike turned heads (like any Italian beauty should) wherever it was ridden, even getting the thumbs up from passing car drivers!

The quality of the finish overall is high, only really let down by some slightly poor welding on the swing arm.

Grunt, grunt, grunt, what else can one say about the fantastic all new Bialberto Corsacorta v-twin cylinder engine in this bike. This engine delivers so much “stonk”, you have to keep pinching yourself, in case you wake up and find you’re only dreaming.

On paper the engine delivers through its 6 speed gear box a maximum of 117 HP at 8500 rpm, but with a massive 102Nm of torque at 6,700 rpm. However figures do not tell you how a motorcycle performs. Above 2,500 revs there’s just an abundance of smooth, urgent power on tap in any gear, which gets even more urgent in delivery beyond 6,000 rpm up to the 8,500 rpm red line. Below 2,500 rpm, the power delivery is a little fluffy. So it pays to keep the motor spinning above this in traffic to avoid an embarrassing stall.

The grin factor from this gem of an engine is huge; overtaking is a simple pleasure and accelerating out of corners, just addictive. The engine wills you on to enjoy its pleasures. All too easily you can find yourself in forbidden territory for your driving licence, with top speed approaching 140 mph.

Thankfully the 9½ has the brakes to match the performance, with top quality twin Brembo brakes up front and a single double piston Brembo at the rear. The brakes provide confident, progressive braking with plenty of feed back, enabling the performance to be reigned in without drama.

The use of quality components extends to 50mm upside Marzocchi forks, combined with a single lateral Paioli shock absorber with adjustable spring preloading. Combined with the steel trellis frame and the spoked wheels, the handling is equally spirited. The 9½.truly can be ridden with passion! The ride is fluid yet taut at the same time and the steering reacts instantly to the riders command, enable tight twisties or open sweeping corners be taken with ease and at lean angles that belies the bikes retro styling. If there is a gripe its minor, just occasionally the front end wanted to tram line on poor surfaces.

Rear end grip from the Pirelli Phantom SportComp tyres was phenomenal even in the wet, you can just keep piling on the accelerative forces, confident it won’t let go.

The slick but positive action gearbox combined with the extremely light clutch action, enables the rider to truly enjoy the bikes performance and handling throughout its 8,5000 rpm range.

But if this wasn’t enough we then have the truly wonderful rumble that is emitted from the 9½ emblazoned Termignoni exhaust. Which as the revs rise becomes all the more enjoyable, willing you on to ride the 9½, just to hear the distinctive rumbling sound from beneath you.

With its two tone black and silver looks, the 9½ cuts a dash, but it’s the small details that add that certain something. The neat white lenses LED tail light, the red and gold Moto Morini badging on the tank and on the rev counter, all adding that final distinctive touch.

The instrumentation is worthy of praise with the fusion of the analogue rev counter with a digital speedo and information centre, that provides the rider with copious information, all delivered in a very clear and well designed display.

One would be forgiven for thinking that with all this performance a sports riding position is demanded, but quite the reverse. The seating position is more like riding a cruiser with wide upright bars and the deeply comfortable leather seat.

There’s no crouching here. Hence the rider can arrive at his destination, physically unstressed, even if the heart rate is high from the sheer enjoyment of the ride.

However this bike is naked, except for the optional accessory screen fitted to our test model. This can lead to some wind blast once one starts to really explore the performance.

Additionally our bike had a stylish Moto Morini soft pannier fitted to the bike, which seems to balance it ascetically with the single silencer on the bikes left hand side.

It’s hard to describe in words the passion and simple pleasure that comes from riding the 9½. It truly is motorcycle, like any Italian beauty that will set your heart racing. I guarantee it’s the sort of motorbike you’ll have to keep finding any excuse to ride, so you can revel in its pleasures. Maybe the 9½ was the wrong name for this bike, because in our book it really scores 10 out of 10!

New price*: £7,499

Engine Size: 1187 cc

Weight (Dry): 198Kg

* Suggested Retail Price - Includes PDI, delivery, number plate, VAT, 1st registration fee and 12 months road fund licence.

Note all performance figures, weights and technical specifications are as claimed by the manufacturer

Article and Photos by Jon Booth – http://www.inter-bike.co.uk/– The UK Biker Site

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Thanks to Three Cross Motorcycles Ltd for the loan of the Moto Morini 9½.