Moto Morini Seiemmezzo SCR (2022 - on) Review

In many ways many smaller manufacturers do retros and roadsters a lot better than the big hitters. Sure, the likes of Triumph, Ducati and BMW produce technically brilliant machines laced with electronics and performance, but they come at a price. Sometimes you just want something cheap, fun and cheerful.

It’s why bikes coming from newly revived classic brands like Fantic, Royal Enfield, Benelli and BSA are so appealing. Not only are they great to ride, nicely built and sport evocative badges, you don’t have to pay through the nose for the privilege. And now Moto Morini are back to slot nicely into that groove.

An Italian brand with a rich, but sometimes rocky history, they’re more recently known for creating niche, uber-expensive bombastic V-twins like the Corsaro. But since 2018 they’ve become part of the Chinese Zhongneng Vehicle Group and their future looks altogether brighter. The fruits of the new tie up, where models are designed and developed in their factory on the outskirts of Milan and made in China are now here to enjoy.

Their first new bikes are powered by CF Moto-produced 650cc parallel twins (based on the old Kawasaki ER-6 lump), but more models are planned, powered by different engines, including the resurgence of the 1200cc V-twin.

Their adventure-styled X-Cape was the first to appear earlier this year (you can read our review here…..) and now there’s the new Seiemmezzo (meaning ‘6½’) in two flavours: the roadster-styled STR and this SCR scrambler, which have reached UK showrooms.

Moto Morini have remained true to their routes with the new machines. Its Chinese-built engine may not have the most characterful soundtrack or the sparkle of some its rivals, but it’s a superbly put together motorcycle that has all the DNA of an Italian thoroughbred without a sky-high price tag.

⏱️ Join @Neevesy33 for #60secondswith the Moto Morini Seiemmezzo range and then read his full review of the SCR version here: https://t.co/cTF8oR1EWr pic.twitter.com/cN2h3vq7qe

— Motor Cycle News (@MCNnews) November 4, 2022

The motor may not be the star of the show, but the power is smooth easy to manage, but the way it’s equipped, rides and handles impresses the most. The SCR with its wider bars, fly screen and plusher suspension set-up is our pick of the two Seiemmezzo versions.

The bars and pegs are positioned perfectly, controls are light and the front brake and clutch levers are adjustable. It’s nicely proportioned and easy to get your feet down, making it easy to handle at low speed, but tall riders will still have plenty of room to move around. A small flyscreen, absent on the STR version, serves to keep some of the flies out of your teeth.

Thanks to its quality chassis parts and testing knowhow of Morini’s Italian development team the Seiemmezzo handles and rides superbly. The SCR is plush, controlled, nimble and as happy to potter through town as it to rail enthusiastically through corners with stability and accuracy.

Front and rear braking power is superb, too and the ABS never intrudes to early or robs the Brembos of their feel. There are no rider modes or traction control, but on a such a fine handling bike with friendly power, they’re never missed.

Performance from the Moto Morini’s 649cc, 60bhp parallel twin won’t blow your socks off, but a bike like this isn’t supposed to be about mind-melting performance. When you’re cruising to the coffee shop 50mph feels like 50mph, whether it’s on a Morini or a scrambler costing thousands more.

It’s a friendly engine with a linear spread of power and a smooth throttle response that’s light years more refined than the last of Morini’s injected V-twins. It’ll also deliver a healthy turn of speed when asked and has a claimed top whack of 109mph.

One thing the engine isn’t is exciting and that’s the only chink in the Seiemmezzo’s armour, especially the exhaust note that’s more of a deep drone than the snap crackle or pop of a big single or V-twin.

That’s not something that should spoil your day, but the soundtrack doesn’t live up to its looks. On the plus side Morini claims 54mpg, which adds up to a useful 191 miles from its 16-litre tank.

You may have preconceptions about Chinese-built motorcycles and many will be justified, but the Morini feels anything but a rattly, thrown together, cut-price machine.

It has a tight, premium feel, which is no surprise when you look at how it’s screwed together. Build quality, fit and finish is superb, from the paint to the detailing. There’s no reason to think that little tried and tested lot won’t be anything other than reliable and the same goes for the engine, which has proved to be bombproof over the years.

Similarly priced scrambler rivals take the shape of the £6749 single cylinder Fantic Caballero, parallel twin £6599 CF Moto 700CL-X and you’re looking the thick end of eight grand upwards for your premium Ducatis, Triumphs, BMW and CCMs. The new Moto Morini Seiemmezzo SCR will hold its head up high against any of them.

LED lights, backlit switchgear buttons, a 5in TFT colour dash, a fully adjustable Kayaba rear shock and gold-coloured forks, tubeless spoked wheels, a snazzy retro saddle, Brembo calipers, Bosh ABS and quality Pirelli MT60RS dual purpose tyres.