All Exclusive Tests – Boarding … and no quarter! – Used MOTO MORINI

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On board … and no quarter !

All Exclusive Tests - Boarding ... and no quarter! - Used MOTO MORINI

The Corsaro 1200 is now ready to take to the roads of France, marking with fanfare the rebirth of the Italian brand Moto Morini. A roadster with a surly engine, a radical look and guaranteed sensations … Exclusive first contact !

Before making a big first contact with the latest Italian top model, a little history of the brand is needed to better understand the importance of the launch of this Corsaro 1200…

It all began in 1925, with the competitive debut of a certain Alfonso Morini alongside Mario Mazetti..

The young Italian shines on the handlebars of a 125, of which he himself produced the 2-stroke single cylinder. In the 1930s, it was the only Italian to compete with foreigners. But in 1937, Alfonso decides to take his independence.
Paris, 06/14/2006 – First contact with the new Moto Morini Corsaro 1200. Video Site.

Unfortunately, the war and the pressure of the fascist regime forced Alfonso Morini to produce three-wheeled vehicles. With its cardan transmission, the M610 nonetheless remains an excellent sale and allows the Italian to produce at the end of the war – and despite the bombing of his factory in 1943! – his T125.

This first production, a two-stroke three-speed mono directly inspired by the German DKW, is sold in large quantities in an Italy undergoing reconstruction and quickly shines in the national championship..

The arrival of the 4-stroke at the end of the 1940s does not unsettle the firm, whose new 125 with single camshaft goes up to more than 140 km / h thanks to a power of 12 horses which one will seek at 10,000rpm.

The great Giacomo Agostini himself made his debut on the Morini 175 Settebello between 1961 and 1963, before being spotted in 1964 by MV Agusta while he was driving Morini’s ultimate sports car: the GP 250…

Because since 1958, Alfonso Morini and his colleagues Dante Lambertini and Nerio Biavati have been working on what will become their masterpiece: the racing 250 with double camshaft. "The world’s fastest single cylinder"(225 km / h) will even headline the international press !

On his handlebars in 1963, Tarquinio Provini almost managed to beat Jim Redman. But the limited budgets of his team prevent him from playing the entire world championship and misses the title by two points … At the same time, the small Italian firm is illustrated in Enduro.

In the same years, Moto Morini produced small 4-stroke machines which reached their heyday by being exported to the United States in the mid-1960s. The Corsaro 125 and the Corsarino 60 were then the flagship models of the firm..

But on June 30, 1969, Alfonso Morini died … His only daughter Gabriella then took up the torch and from 1970, offered the services of Franco Lambertini – unrelated to Dante -, then an engineer at … Ferrari !

Franco, aged 26, then created the 350 V Twin at 87 °, presented on the 3 1/2 at the Milan Show in 1971 and launched into production in spring 1972. The 3 1/2 GT did not take long to become a commercial success, soon followed by that of the sports version.

By removing the rear cylinder, Lambertini gave birth to two single cylinders 125 and 250. Then he carried out the reverse operation and designed a twin cylinder of 500 cc. But this new engine does not please, probably because of its reversed controls: the gears are shifted to the right, unlike all contemporary production.

Lambertini then decided to take inspiration from Formula 1, whose succinct regulations made it possible to explore many avenues. The Italian thus equips its 500 twin-cylinder with a Turbo developing the trifle of 84 hp at 8,300 rpm, but despite the enthusiastic reception it aroused at the Milan Show in 1979, the project did not materialize..

In 1986, Moto Morini released the Excalibur, the last chance model: the 350 or 501 cc twins that equip the Italian Custom for a time were of interest to Harley-Davidson, but the dying finances of both parties did not allow for a successful completion. partnership.

On February 18, 1987, Gabriella Morini was forced to sell Moto Morini to Claudio and Gianfranco Castiglioni, owners of the Cagiva-Ducati group. And despite their stated desire to relaunch the brand, the group is losing interest in Morini.

Franco Lambertini nevertheless created a new twin cylinder available in 350, 500 and 750 cc. Despite its four valves per cylinder, its camshaft "silent chain", his water cooling and other tricks which Franco has the secret, Cagiva refuses to be interested in his work.

In 1988, launch of the Dart 350. But this replica of Cagiva Fraccia 125 – powered by the valiant but too old 350 cc from 1971 – does not deceive anyone: the inaction of Cagiva is because of Lambertini who leaves Morini for Piaggio … And the Bologna plant, converted for a time into an engine development department, ended up closing…

In 1996, Moto Morini was sold to Ducati Motor Holding, now separate from Cagiva. But nothing changes for the small Italian brand which is not one of the priorities of TPG, main shareholder of Ducati Motor Holding (read).

It was not until 1999 that the brand finally found the family fold. Morini Franco Motori Spa, the company founded in 1954 by Alfonso’s nephew, specializes in two- and four-stroke mopeds and motorcycles. Supported in 2003 by Giani Berti, a wealthy Bolognese businessman, Moto Morini then went back to work.

In less than two years, two projects saw the light of day: the 9 1/2 and the Corsaro 1200, equipped of course with a twin cylinder signed … Lambertini! Both models are unveiled at the 2004 Bologna Motor Show, although we can only remain cautious about the future of this adventure (read).

And yet there it is: Moto Morini is well and truly reborn from these ashes, having already sold 19 Corsaro 1200 in France last month (read).

Very first contact

In front of the friendly Urbanmoto dealership, the new Corsaro is patiently waiting for us for our first exclusive contact … But this black model has only 250 km on the clock and we will therefore have to take particular care of its twin-cylinder Bialbero CorsaCorta, still breaking in….

Scheduled to develop 140 horsepower in the original version and 123 Nm at 6500 rpm even in France, the beast should however deliver great sensations from its first turns of the wheel. Anyway, just at a standstill, we must admit that the 1200 imposes some.

A subtle blend of several successful models, the Corsaro nonetheless exudes a very personal style that sets it apart at first glance from other nasty roadsters..

Starting with the inscription "Corsaro 1200"on its huge conical pots along the saddle, comparable to those of the MT-01 (read) although their silver and sparkling color is the opposite of the matte black and raw of those of the Yamaha.

The tubular steel frame is more like that of a Ducati. The red model further accentuates the resemblance with its Bolognese cousins ​​and suggests exemplary behavior on the road…

The same impression of efficiency emanates from the 50 mm diameter front fork, the presence of which is gold anodized. The reminder of the golden color of the handlebars is also the best effect. Only the yellow version of the Corsaro has these elements in black: a good way to bring the engine that drives the beast to the fore. !

Because under the frame hides – with difficulty – the soul of this new motorcycle: the 87 ° V-twin, designed by Franco Lambertini. The brand logo proudly displays the right crankcase while on the left, the brand name appears in capital letters: this mill is a Morini and we make it known !

The tank of the transalpine is meanwhile very flared, sharpening the general line already catchy. Indeed, in addition to the grids which split the saddle support, the fork crown is particularly aggressive: its two Buell-style optics (read) are surmounted by a nose screen which forms a pair of severely gathered eyebrows, close to that of the Triumph Speed ​​Triple (read).

But no more description – everyone can easily form their opinion! – and place to drive…

The saddle is not too high, the handlebars are wide, and the thighs can effectively squeeze the tank. The set offers a good position, giving the appreciable impression of perfectly controlling the bike. The relatively high footrests for a roadster are reassuring about future cornering, unlike the side stand that must be correctly raised before setting off..

The key is inserted into the switch housed on the fuel tank and a slight pivot illuminates the dashboard. A short intro brings up the brand’s eagle, which soon gives way to display of speed, engine temperature and other options to choose from including three trips (including total), a clock and even a stopwatch !

Then you press the starter: the engine snorts lazily before starting. When cold, idling is not the most regular but no matter what, the urge to rev up is too strong to stay so low.

The first is quite long, a choice that is better understood once the first frank acceleration has passed: this engine is strong at low speed and is devilishly expressed at medium speed, where the front axle is suddenly much lighter….

Below 3,500 rpm, the twin cylinder reminds you to order: its short-stroke pistons prefer high speeds. So it’s not a Ducati, much less a Harley or a Buell: it’s a Morini who needs to be pushed a little more to push you in turn. !

The Corsaro being mechanically restricted at the level of the maximum opening of the throttle, the French will still benefit from the torque of 123 Nm at 6500 rpm and only the very large wringer handles will regret the 40 horses left at the border….

The Corsaro is very agile, including in town. Its nervous front end – which can surprise during the first sharp turns – quickly builds confidence and works wonders after a few kilometers in rapid sequences..

Facilitated by the wide handlebars, the driving of the new Morini is ultimately more like that of a Supermotard than that of a sporty roadster: tank well wedged between the legs and upright chest, the bike dives quickly into turns. with a simple wrist support.

The rigidity of the frame and the swingarm – with a slim and elegant appearance – make it possible to enter hard in the corners, the two Brembo front discs of 320 mm offering a very satisfying bite. Thanks to its expressive engine and its agile and precise cycle part, the Italian therefore fully assumes its sporting heritage..

The suspensions – Marzocchi up front and Sachs rear, both fully adjustable – present in their original settings an acceptable versatility. Surface imperfections are properly absorbed and attitude changes under acceleration or braking are limited.

The short duration of the test and the inability to go beyond 7000 rpm necessarily limited this contact, which nevertheless allowed us to see the great potential of this new Italian. Still, with the Speed ​​Triple, FZ1, Superduke or Mostro S4S, the fight promises to be fierce, especially as the Morini Corsaro 1200 is slightly more expensive: € 12,590 in black or red, € 12,690 in yellow. The price of distinction, no doubt…

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