
MORINI CORSARO 1200 (2006 - on) Review

At a glance
Owners' reliability rating: | |
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Annual servicing cost: | £200 |
Power: | 123 bhp |
Seat height: | Medium (32.7 in / 830 mm) |
Weight: | Medium (437 lbs / 198 kg) |
Prices
Overall rating
Next up: Ride & brakesMoto 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: EngineThe 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: ReliabilityMoto 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: ValueOverall 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: EquipmentThe 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
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 |
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Engine size | 1187cc |
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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 |
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Average fuel consumption | 29 mpg |
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Annual road tax | £101 |
Annual service cost | £200 |
New price | £8,699 |
Used price | - |
Insurance group |
15 of 17 How much to insure? |
Warranty term | Two year unlimited mileage |
Top speed & performance |
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Max power | 123 bhp |
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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 |
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Overall rating: | |
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Ride quality & brakes: | |
Engine: | |
Reliability & build quality: | |
Value vs rivals: | |
Equipment: | |
Annual servicing cost: | £200 |
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.
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
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.
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.
It is thirsty you struggle to get more than 30 mpg, it rips tyres apart but brake pads last forever.
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.
Version: Veloce
Year: 2009
Doesn't like cold starts and battery needs to be on charge always.
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.
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.
Quality gear all round.
Parts can get expensive and hard to find in Australia. But hey, it's worth it for what it returns in excitement.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
Once a year service 3-400Euros. Battery tender for winter, thats it !!
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.
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.
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.