MORINI CORSARO 1200 (2006 - on) Review

At a glance

Owners' reliability rating: 3.8 out of 5 (3.8/5)
Annual servicing cost: £200
Power: 123 bhp
Seat height: Medium (32.7 in / 830 mm)
Weight: Medium (437 lbs / 198 kg)

Prices

New £8,699
Used £4,700

Overall rating

Next up: Ride & brakes
3 out of 5 (3/5)

Moto Morini is an historic company with new owners. With its huge V-twin engine, muscular chassis and upright riding position the Corsaro 1200 is a ‘super naked in every sense of the word. Electrical gremlins at the Moto Morini Corsaro 1200's world launch have been ironed out, but it’s still not perfect.

Ride quality & brakes

Next up: Engine
3 out of 5 (3/5)

The Moto Morini Corsaro 1200 is light, flickable, wheelie-prone and fun on the road but the forks are way too hard; every bump is felt as an unpleasant jolt through wrists. The  Corsaro 1200's gearbox is sloppy, too, with a neutral hiding between almost every gear, which can be annoying. Overall comfort on the Moto Morini is good though.

Engine

Next up: Reliability
3 out of 5 (3/5)

Moto Morini use their own 123bhp liquid-cooled, fuel-injected 1187cc V-twin engine in the Corsaro 1200, and it’s a belter. It might be big enough to stick in a Harley but thanks to its very short stroke the Moto Morini Corsaro 1200's motor can be revved unbelievably hard, making it exhilarating to ride in the twisties.

Reliability & build quality

Next up: Value
4 out of 5 (4/5)

Overall built quality and attention to detail is very good. Although the Moto Morini Corsaro 1200 engine is too new and isn’t tried and tested yet, it’s produced by their sister engineering company, Morini, who make motorcycle engine components for other manufacturers like of Benelli and Voxan.

Value vs rivals

Next up: Equipment
3 out of 5 (3/5)

The Moto Morini Corsaro 1200 competes heard-on with the likes of the Triumph Speed Triple, Aprilia Tuono and the KTM Super Duke, and costing £8699 the Moto Morini Corsaro 1200 is more expensive than all of them, nor is it as easy or as exciting to ride. It’s very nearly a brilliant bike but there are too many niggles which spoil it. Find a Moto Morini Corsaro 1200 for sale.

Equipment

3 out of 5 (3/5)

What sets the Moto Morini Corsaro 1200 apart from the competition is its exclusivity. Because the Cosraso 1200 is hand-built in limited numbers you’ll stand out from the crowd and it comes with the usual refinements you’d expect from the Italians like Brembo brakes, Pirelli Diablo tyres, Marzocchi forks, not to mention a pair of unbelievably huge pipes exiting under the seat of the Moto Morini.

Specs

Engine size 1187cc
Engine type 8-valve V-twin, 6 gears
Frame type Tubular steel cradle
Fuel capacity 18 litres
Seat height 830mm
Bike weight 198kg
Front suspension Preload, rebound, compression
Rear suspension Preload, rebound, compression
Front brake 2 x 320mm discs
Rear brake 220mm disc
Front tyre size 120/70 x 17 in
Rear tyre size 180/55 x 17 in

Mpg, costs & insurance

Average fuel consumption 29 mpg
Annual road tax £117
Annual service cost £200
New price £8,699
Used price £4,700
Insurance group 15 of 17
How much to insure?
Warranty term Two year unlimited mileage

Top speed & performance

Max power 123 bhp
Max torque 81 ft-lb
Top speed 148 mph
1/4 mile acceleration 11.41 secs
Tank range 115 miles

Model history & versions

Model history

2006: Moto Morini Corsaro 1200 introduced.

Other versions

Moto Morini 9.5 – A sports classic/retro version of the Moto Morini Corsaro 1200 with spoked wheels. It uses the same 1200cc V-twin motor.

Owners' reviews for the MORINI CORSARO 1200 (2006 - on)

5 owners have reviewed their MORINI CORSARO 1200 (2006 - on) and rated it in a number of areas. Read what they have to say and what they like and dislike about the bike below.

Review your MORINI CORSARO 1200 (2006 - on)

Summary of owners' reviews

Overall rating: 4.2 out of 5 (4.2/5)
Ride quality & brakes: 4.4 out of 5 (4.4/5)
Engine: 5 out of 5 (5/5)
Reliability & build quality: 3.8 out of 5 (3.8/5)
Value vs rivals: 4.2 out of 5 (4.2/5)
Equipment: 4 out of 5 (4/5)
Annual servicing cost: £200
5 out of 5 Much better than MCN make ou
03 December 2018 by Adamsson

Year: 2006

Annual servicing cost: £200

Awesome engine it will keep up with Gixer1000s until 140 it handles well and feels really special. Not a bike for commuting or a two up round the world trip, but as a Sunday afternoon toy I don't think you can do better.

Ride quality & brakes 4 out of 5

Comfortable for a tank full (100 miles) for the rider, but uncomfortable for passengers from the start. Great as a toy and can cope with bumpy lanes, around town and A roads. As with any naked bike motorways are best avoided. Brakes are very progressive and powerful but you hardly need to work them because the engine braking is so good, even with the slipper clutch

Engine 5 out of 5

Had a test ride on a speed triple and I asked the dealer if it was broken it felt so flat and gutless in comparison. The Morini has so much grunt and instant drive at any revs in any gear. But it is as smooth and civilised as a VFR or mine is anyway.

Reliability & build quality 3 out of 5

It did break an exhaust valve which was a new engine job but that is rare I think only mine has done it in the UK, other than that it's just niggles poor earth on the battery, leaking radiator cap, indicator lenses falling off. Not bad in 12 years. But wouldn't recommend it for a daily commute.

Value vs rivals 4 out of 5

It is thirsty you struggle to get more than 30 mpg, it rips tyres apart but brake pads last forever.

Equipment 4 out of 5

Doesn't have loads of electronic rider aids but doesn't matter, sensitive to worn tyres but not fussy otherwise. Race pipes are EXTREMELY LOUD.

Buying experience: Owned from new.

4 out of 5 G Force to ready
24 May 2018 by Sal Di Maggio

Version: Veloce

Year: 2009

Doesn't like cold starts and battery needs to be on charge always.

Ride quality & brakes 5 out of 5

Unbelievable ride, nothing like it on the plant. I personally love the hard front forks as all my bike' suspensions are set on hard for fast riding. Balance is spot on for me also. Brake work the treat for me as well. No ABS, which is great, you get more feel at the front, old school riding with no electronics, just the way it should be.

Engine 5 out of 5

Pure Rocket Launching Power with a great G force punch to go with it and the engine just sounds unreal, heaps better then a Ducati, by miles.

Reliability & build quality 5 out of 5

Quality gear all round.

Value vs rivals 4 out of 5

Parts can get expensive and hard to find in Australia. But hey, it's worth it for what it returns in excitement.

Equipment 4 out of 5

Only issue so far is one of the radiator fans was playing up, but seems ok now.

Buying experience: My gearbox is perfect. If you enjoy something unique and you live "Outside the Square" then throw your leg over the saddle of a Morini and I can assure you it'll blow your mind away.

4 out of 5 Gorgeous and Under-rated
17 June 2015 by Harro

Year: 2008

Best feature is the engine. Just a superb unit. Can run a little hot in traffic but one of the great under-rated motorcycles. It also looks superb. IMHO has the most balanced stance of ANY naked around. Worst feature, its in Europe and I'm in Australia most of the year. Makes me smile every time I get on it for annual European tour. Fits me like a glove. Proper size for a motrobike

Ride quality & brakes 4 out of 5

Front brakes could be more powerful, rear brake easy to lock. Front suspension can be a little flighty but quality of components, superb Never had to adjust anything.

Engine 5 out of 5

Absolutlely EATS anytihng on the road. Ducati, Aprilia anything. This is just a superb engine, Fuel consumption can be high when getting enthusiastic with throttle.

Reliability & build quality 4 out of 5

Never had a problem. Bought used, do a 2-3000km trip each year with gear. Faultless. Brilliant touring and up through mountain passes. Everyone says brutal engine but I disagree. Engine is a flexible grunt monster. so nice to ride gentle or get stuck into it !!! Just give it a wash to confirm quality of all components.

Value vs rivals 4 out of 5

Once a year service 3-400Euros. Battery tender for winter, thats it !!

Equipment 4 out of 5

Just so flexible. Great for touring, mountain passes and day runs. Can carry gear easily (recommend VENTURA rack) and fuel range over 250km. Just a superb massively under-rated motorcycle.

4 out of 5 2WW Bomber
30 November 2013 by fadeaway

Don't know where MCN figures come from - the Corsaro Veloce has 123Nm (90.7 ft ib) of torque and 140cv (138 b.h.p.) power. Gearbox on mine is utter perfection - a smooth switch. Without baffles plus sport ecu the bike is a WW2 Bomber. Engine feel and character beats absolutely anything on the planet. I just think the MCN boys simply don't "get it". If you do, this bike can massively refresh a jaded palate dying of boredom from soft-tuned easybikes. And now you can buy Morinis new again.

Ride quality & brakes 4 out of 5
Engine 5 out of 5
Reliability & build quality 4 out of 5
Value vs rivals 5 out of 5
Equipment 4 out of 5
4 out of 5 Corsaro Magic
23 August 2011 by

Had mine for a little over 12 months,coating on tank cracked/peeling. Three weeks to get front suspension sorted.ENGINE,bonkers wants to spin up/wheelie out of every other corner....would not swap it for another go at life!!.Breakdowns(1)battery fell apart,poorly retained,rubber ball now damps out any vibes. Go on try one......I DARE YOU. TTFN.

Ride quality & brakes 5 out of 5
Engine 5 out of 5
Reliability & build quality 3 out of 5
Value vs rivals 4 out of 5
Equipment 4 out of 5
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